Applications Available for Hand in Hand Apartments

Milbridge, Maine—Applications are now available for the initial rent-up of Hand in Hand Apartments.  Construction will be finished in mid-June and leases will begin July 1.  Hand in Hand Apartments will house six families in 3 three-bedroom and 3 two-bedroom apartments at 173 Wyman Road in Milbridge.

Mano en Mano | Hand in Hand is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Milbridge with a mission to “build a stronger and more inclusive Downeast Maine by working with diverse populations to provide affordable housing and educational opportunities, remove barriers to health and social services, and advocate for social justice.”  Offering affordable housing options to local families who choose to make some of their annual income by working on family farms, a lobster boat, on the blueberry barrens, or in the clam flats (among other farm labor sources) will help keep these workers in the area to support our resource-based economy.

Fickett Property Management of Cherryfield will manage this property.  They have a long track record of successful and dedicated management of public and private housing sites.  Initial rent-up applications are due on Friday, May 27 and can be obtained from Fickett Property Management in Cherryfield or by calling (207) 546-7800.  After this date, applications will still be accepted, but there may be a waitlist which will have need and date-based priority in accordance with USDA regulations.

“There is a genuine sense of excitement among everyone who has worked tirelessly to bring this project from a far-reaching proposal to a tangible building,” said Ian F. Yaffe, Mano en Mano’s Executive Director, “We are tremendously grateful to everyone who has helped make this dream a reality and are looking forward to turning over the keys to these apartments to six families on July 1.  These farmworker families play a crucial role in sustaining our local economy, enriching our community, and fostering our quality of place.”

While this property is exempt from local taxation, Mano en Mano will make an equivalent payment in lieu of taxes to the Town of Milbridge each year as budgetary conditions allow.  A ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house will be held at the property in mid-June.  The $1.3 million project has green features to reduce maintenance and replacement costs, including energy star fixtures, appliances, and windows, a highly efficient boiler and radiant floor heat, extra insulation and high performing materials.

Key partners in this project are E.W. Littlefield, Inc. of Hartland (General Contractor), WBRC Architects/Engineers of Bangor (Architect/Engineer), Edmond Bearor and Rudman & Winchell Attorneys (Bangor), and MaineHousing.  Major funding is through a $1,005,722 USDA Rural Development Farm Labor Housing Grant and $176,778 Farm Labor Housing Loan, as well as a $220,000 loan from CEI of Wiscasset.

Hand in Hand Apartments will be open to permanent residents or U.S. citizens who earn a substantial portion of their annual income from agriculture or aquaculture work and meet adjusted family income requirements.  People that need housing in Milbridge should contact us at (207) 546-3006 to go over detailed information about their eligibility.

More information, updates, and time lapse images of the construction progress, is posted at http://www.manomaine.org.  Related imagery is available for download at Flickr.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.  To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-3682 (TDD).