KeyBank Foundation, the charitable arm of KeyBank, has awarded a $133,333 grant to Portland-based Avesta Housing to promote housing development for low-income older Mainers and support education and counseling programs for first-time homebuyers and homeowners facing the threat of foreclosure.

Part of the donation will promote expanded access to safe, clean and affordable senior housing, enhanced resident services and investment in existing Avesta properties. The nonprofit housing developer and owner leases apartments to 1,500 seniors and received 1,600 additional requests for affordable senior housing in 2018.

Some of the grant will support counseling and education classes for first-time homebuyers and homeowners facing the threat of foreclosure that are offered through Avesta’s NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center. Since 2008, the center has assisted more than 5,000 people through community-based classes in homebuyer education and foreclosure mitigation and budget/credit counseling.