Housing Barrier Removal Fund- Community Story and Updates
Mano en Mano is excited to announce that with support of the Housing Barrier Removal Fund, three families are now new homeowners in Downeast Maine!
Jean Carlos and his family purchased their first home this year. He first arrived in Milbridge at the age of nine, and shared: “We moved to the area because my parents were working at the sea cucumber factory. I went to middle school in Milbridge, then high school in Harrington, and have lived in the area since... It is so calm and so beautiful.”
Jean Carlos and family pictured in front of their new home.
Jean Carlos says that his main motivation for purchasing a home in the area was the community. He expressed: “My kids go to Milbridge elementary school, and it is a good school and safe neighborhood. The sense of community is amazing...we are all together, and everyone is so positive as we work together to make it better and to support each other.”
Mano en Mano has received consistent feedback from community members that housing is a main concern for families living in the area, and barriers to accessing housing have caused many families and individuals to leave Washington County. Jean Carlos added: “for many families that exclusively speak Spanish, some of the biggest barriers are language and understanding credit. Many do not understand that they could have a home, they just have to find the resources and support.”
Mano en Mano and our partner organizations understand that for our area to be both socially and economically vibrant, people need to be able to put down roots and make this area their home. That is why the Housing Barrier Removal Fund was created with the ultimate goal to support individuals and families’ capacity to buy and maintain homes and reinforce their financial stability. In order to ensure that all folks with ties to our community that want to stay are able, the Housing Barrier Removal Fund offers housing down payment and maintenance support.
Recipients of funds also receive access to a financial coach to provide support in preparing budgets, building financial goals and accessing public resources that may be available to them. Jean Carlos said that this support was very helpful, and that: “it is what we all need...that little bit of coaching to help you understand how to use your money, and how to be strategic with your money to make a plan of where it can go. The downpayment support was the biggest help, but the financial coaching helped a lot moving forward.”
Jean Carlos is excited for what is to come in his new home. He says, “It feels exciting, but also safe. I was renting before and I was always afraid that the landlord would kick us out, or sell the house and we would have to move. So I told myself that I needed to work hard and try and try to get my own home. Luckily this was the year I achieved it... Now I feel safe in our house and excited to raise my two daughters in a home of their own.”
The application window for the previous year closed in November (2020), and since then, three of the ten recipients (including Jean Carlos’ family) have purchased homes. Another recipient will use the funding for major repairs needed in their existing residence, and another is scheduled to close on a home in the coming months. Since it can take time to find the right house to make into a home, recipients have up to a year to use the money for their down payment or renovations.
The application window for the second round of grants is currently open and Jean Carlos wants to encourage people to apply: “When I first began my application, I was a bit nervous and excited. It is a lot of money to apply for and I almost didn’t believe it was real! I was so excited when we were awarded the grant...it helped so much. I really hope that more people apply and that Mano en Mano and the partners keep supplying this grant. They really helped us with everything we needed to apply. This is a big opportunity for everyone and it opens a lot of doors.”
We are excited to see our community in Downeast Maine continue to grow, and that more people want to call this area home. In thinking about the future and his experience, Jean Carlos said:
“I want to add that something that comes from the bottom of my heart. I remember when Mano en Mano started back when I was a kid, maybe in ‘03, or ‘05 I’m not sure... But it has been the biggest help for the Spanish speaking community, and I am very, very thankful for the whole organization. Not only the organization but the people who support Mano en Mano...everyone in the area- the Milbridge Community, Harrington Community, even the Stupen Community and Cherryfield. I am so thankful, and I hope that it continues to grow and be stronger so they can support everybody.”
On behalf of Mano en Mano and our partner organizations, we want to be the first to say:
“Welcome home!”
The Housing Barrier Removal Fund was created in partnership with the Maine Seacoast Mission, Downeast Community Partners, Sunrise County Economic Council, and the Community Caring Collaborative to provide support for residents in the Downeast area reach their long term housing goals.
We are currently accepting applications for the second round of grants offered by the Housing Barrier Removal Fund, with applications closing at the end of the month. If you are a community member interested in applying for the Fund, please contact a staff member that you know and trust at any of the partner organizations or at Mano en Mano.
Round 2 for this fund closes April 30, 2021 and we will make up to 20 awards in this round. Applications are due April 30, 2021.
If you have any questions, please email Elan Gabel-Richards at:
egabel-richards@manomaine.org or call at (207) 266-1238.
