Projects in Portland, South Portland and Brunswick could add up to 175 units of housing for asylum seekers in Maine starting as soon as this month.
The apartments, which are first-of-their-kind projects in various stages of development, would fill a critical need and could help offset costs for Portland and other communities that have been relying on hotels to house an influx of new Mainers as well as the homeless.
“There’s an overwhelming need,” said Amanda Gilliam, director of property management for Avesta Housing, which expects to soon open 52 units at the West End II apartments in South Portland and is proposing 48 units at Winchester Woods in Portland. Both projects would house asylum seekers.
