General Info

Avesta Housing is a Portland-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve lives and strengthen communities by promoting and providing affordable quality homes for people in need. Avesta advocates for affordable housing, develops and manages high-quality housing, and helps residents access other needed services. Founded in 1972 with a shoestring budget and a staff of three, Avesta has grown to become one of the country’s most innovative and respected leaders in affordable housing. Avesta owns and/or manages over 80 affordable housing developments in Maine and New Hampshire, for a total of over 2,000 units. The Avesta Housing Management portfolio consists of state and federally assisted family and elderly/disabled housing, affordable rent-restricted apartments, and special housing for long-term homeless and visually impaired. Our residents represent an incredibly diverse population of individuals and families throughout southern Maine and New Hampshire. Our 15-member Board of Directors is drawn from the financial, business, public-sector community, social-service, and housing spheres, and we have approximately 125 employees. Avesta has continued its trend of substantial growth by developing 12 projects and 395 units over the past four years, with three projects and 99 units projected to come online in 2016. We consistently receive high marks from our state, federal, and private-sector partners, and we are recognized nationally for groundbreaking work in bringing together nonprofit, for-profit, private and public-sector organizations for the benefit of our communities. Our growth has earned us a place in Affordable Housing Finance Magazine’s Top 50 Developers list. Today, we provide homes to over 3,200 people each year. An important component to Avesta Housing’s development success comes from the competency of Avesta Housing Management Corporation, which provides quality management services to Avesta Housing’s properties, as well as properties owned by other entities. The Avesta Housing management team has extensive experience administering a number of affordable rental assistance programs under HUD, Rural Development, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and other local, state, and federal housing programs. Avesta currently manages over 2,100 units in Maine and New Hampshire. At Avesta Housing, we are always willing to tackle difficult development projects, applying our unique perspective and innovative approach to create opportunities where others may see insurmountable hurdles. Avesta has a team of seven highly skilled housing development staff members with legal, financial, planning, and construction experience who identify new opportunities, secure necessary financing, and deftly manage projects through completion. Community involvement is a key aspect of our development efforts. Working with local communities and neighborhoods, we strive to create a positive attitude where affordable housing is seen as an asset. Avesta Housing provides leadership and support to the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition, the state’s leading housing policy advocacy organization. In 2008, Avesta joined the national NeighborWorks America network, which is comprised of 250 nonprofit housing organizations throughout the country. In 2013, the Housing Partnership Network invited Avesta to join 98 leading housing organizations in the country in a network of strong, sophisticated, and cutting-edge housing organizations. Avesta Housing’s ultimate vision is a home and community for everyone. To work toward that vision, in the coming five years, Avesta Housing will significantly increase the affordable housing that is available to people in Maine and New Hampshire and lead in forging solutions to the complex housing needs facing the region. The housin