Creating & Preserving Affordable Housing on
The Boothbay Peninsula.
Our Mission Statement
To create and preserve affordable housing on the Boothbay peninsula and adopt housing strategies that will balance the needs and concerns of the Greater Boothbay Region. Resources will be sought through private donations, grants, and Federal and State funding. Those applying would meet the financial guidelines set forth by the Boothbay Region Housing Trust.
Island Housing Trust on Martha’s Vineyard - The Inspiration for BRHT
Why the Boothbay Region?
As members of the Boothbay Region, it is important we nurture a lively year-round population that provides a healthy multi-generational community with a vibrant school system ensuring our children, and their children, have opportunities to stay and thrive in our region. One of the greatest challenges our community faces is how to provide affordable housing.
Although we have some houses being built, we have fewer people living here year-round. The demand for seasonal homes has driven real estate prices out of reach for many young families. The median household income on the peninsula is $48,806, while Maine’s median household income is $58,924. The 2021 median home price in Lincoln County is $446,000, up nearly 110% over 2020. The median home price on the peninsula is $300,000 is up 39% over 2020. The maximum the median income family can afford is $235,000.
Rental units have also decreased as properties are sold, rehabbed or torn down to build vacation homes. Additionally, high seasonal demand is creating skyrocketing summer rental rates that year-round renters cannot afford. In our community, the median income for renter-occupied households is $20,417, which is nearly 28% lower than the median renter income for Maine overall. This places even more stress on the community, employment and our overall economy.
So, what can we do to help our community?
When we look at the needs in our community, it is clear we must be able to provide affordable housing in the Boothbay Region. We can break this down into four distinct categories of need: Treasure, Land, Time & Talent, and Endowment.
Treasure
Investment in the Boothbay Region Housing Trust
Participate in awareness building and fundraising events
Consider the importance of multi-year pledges. Systemic change takes time and commitment, work needs to be done on an annual rolling basis, making longer term committed funding of major importance.
Land
Consider donating land for protected affordable housing.
Time & Talent
Are you an accountant, web geek, strategic planner or marketing wiz? Your skills are second nature to you but are regularly needed by nonprofits. Why not consult, be an adviser, work on a project, sit on a committee or join the Board
Are you exceptional at what you do? Use your influence to spread the message. Be an ambassador for the BRHT, build awareness of the challenges and explain the need, promote our work and ask others to give and support the BRHT
Volunteer!
Endowment
Help build the BRHT
Establish a fund within the BRHT
Consider including BRHT in your estate planning
Boothbay Harbor, ME - Livability Score
Key Findings
The income per capita in Boothbay Harbor is 7% lower than the national average.
The median household income in Boothbay Harbor is 30% lower than the national average.
The unemployment rate in Boothbay Harbor is 74% lower than the national average.
The poverty level in Boothbay Harbor is 16% lower than the national average.
Watch Our Video
Initiatives
Phase 1: Raise funds for infrastructure for 7 homes to be built in 2023
Raise funds to offset grant money to hire a permanent executive director for the Housing Trust
Please consider donating or volunteering!
A place to live and a chance to succeed — for everyone
Special thanks to our local supporters:
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