Mano en Mano Featured in Chronicle of Philanthrophy Article on Rural Causes

Mano en Mano was featured in an August 21, 2011 article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy by Ben Gose: “Rural Causes Lack Support as Foundations Focus Resources Elsewhere.”

For a limited time, you may access the full article at this link.  Afterwards, it will only be available to subscribers at this permanent link.

The article discusses a challenge made by Senator Max Baucus in 2006: for foundations to double the amount of funding that they make available to rural areas.  The article continues to describe the challenges faced by Coastal Enterprises, Inc. of Wiscasset, one of the key funding organizations for Hand in Hand Apartments, Maine’s first affordable housing project for farmworkers.

Hand in Hand Apartments is open to permanent residents or U.S. citizens who earn a substantial portion of their annual income from agriculture or aquaculture work. Detailed qualifications and applications are available from Fickett Property Management in Cherryfield.  Rent is subsidized at 30% of income which includes utilities and an electricity allowance.  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.

Mano en Mano is pleased to announce 100% occupancy for this building, less than two months since it was commissioned!