Over nearly a decade, the number of households we serve annually has risen by a staggering 642%.
Dear Friends,
A little over nine years ago, a small staff of five began serving the needs of struggling Midcoast families. We had one shelter that held 22 clients and all staff and offices. Today, KCHC’s team of 66 serves close to 900 individuals annually, including families and youth. Direct service now includes urgent needs support, case management for youth and adults, shelter, transitional housing, affordable housing; youth outreach, enrichment, and support; as well as transportation services, furniture and household goods, and client education; all while developing trusting relationships along the way. Our growth is in response to the increasing needs of the community and is only possible because of your support.
The ongoing housing crisis along with long-standing, systemic issues challenge our critical, life-saving work. This past year, prohibitive costs forced us to step back from one of three of our affordable housing projects, but with your help, we push ahead with even greater urgency to build the small footprint homes on Talbot Ave. That will introduce safety, security and warmth to 10 more households. Here’s to forging ahead, breaking down barriers to housing security while offering our neighbors a helping hand as they get back on their feet.
On behalf of our entire board and staff,
Steph Primm
Executive Director
Caroline Morong
Board Chair
Together, we’re breaking the cycles of poverty and homelessness for hundreds of families here in Midcoast Maine.
Last year in Maine…
420,158 households were unable to afford the median home price of $334,000.
39,716 households were extremely low income renter households (meaning they make between 0-30% of the area median income), of which:
77% spent more than 30% of their income on housing, and
58% spent more than 50% of their income on rent.
In Maine there were…
51 affordable and available rental units for every 100 extremely low income households, which was a statewide shortfall of 19,264 units.
Evictions were up in 2022 by 22%. The majority of those were “no-cause” evictions when properties were sold.
Source: 2023 MaineHousing Outlook Report, National Low Income Housing Coalition 2022 GAP Report
People in Maine experiencing homelessness tripled from 2021 to 2022. Nearly half of those households have at least one child.
Here’s How We Did It
Expanded Youth Programming
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Youth enjoyed backyard programming and Makerspace and community minded job opportunities. There were free warm suppers, clothing, and hygiene supplies as well as access to bikes, snacks and trusted company.
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We brought youth and adult case management teams under one roof and added additional youth-focused case workers bringing us up to three focused on 16-24 year olds helping them break generational patterns of poverty and housing insecurity. We worked with 32 additional youth and young adults in 2022 representing a 146% increase over 2021.
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We continue to collaborate with all area schools, churches and social groups to help address the needs of youth in the area. In 2022 through collaboration with Community Cares in Bangor, we increased our outreach to youth in Waldo County, adding a full-time youth outreach worker to meet the needs of the Thorndike school which had been reporting nearly 90% housing insecurity.
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Through our contracted therapist, we continued to expand the number of sessions of free counseling available to youth
struggling with mental health issues in the region
Igniting hope and supporting resiliency—we are committed to collaboration as we achieve enduring solutions.
Shelter Solutions for Individuals, Family, and Youth
In addition to bringing our case management teams together, we also restructured the oversight of our shelter and residential programs. In 2022 Jess Dorr took on the role of Residential Programs Director. Jess‘s successful programming at Hospitality House has helped hundreds of families build confidence, sustainable, and hopeful lives. She is now using her expertise to help guide all of our current and future shelter and residential initiatives.
Hospitality House Family Shelter
We provided 4,114 nights of safe supportive shelter in 2022. Each family that stayed with us called our shelter home for an average of four months.
The Transitional Living Program Studio Apartments
This remains the only transitional shelter solution for young adults between the ages of 18 and 21 and emancipated minors in the Midcoast. Five individuals moved through the program last year averaging a stay of just over nine months each. Two graduates from the program are attending college. Another participant became employed and was able to move into a traditional apartment recently purchasing a car thanks to a savings program we developed, giving youth options they previously never thought possible.
Overnight Youth Respite Shelter
The groundwork for this pilot program began in 2022 with modifications at our 63 Park Street location. The downstairs, which is currently used as office space during the day can be transformed to have staffed emergency overnight solutions for youth aged 16-24 with an anticipated opening of summer 2023.
Comprehensive, Client-Centered Care
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Developed in response to overwhelming need, our philosophy of doing the right thing, and a belief that anyone empowered enough to ask should receive help. Our full-time urgent needs coordinator offered real solutions such as blankets, gas cards, and food, and would answer the phone with real compassion. We were able to help 27 households find housing solutions—while on the waitlist—before having to enter case management.
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Our 15 case managers brought on 100 new clients and their families, representing 401 households and 860 individuals from infants to seniors in 2022.
Once again, the number one reason for homelessness continues to be the combination of the inability to afford the available housing or leases not being renewed.
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We were part of Maine Housing’s Rapid Rehousing pilot for the 2nd year. Our housing support specialists liaise with landlords, utilizing special funding to bridge gaps between market rate rentals and what income-based subsidies will cover. Clients who access this program also participate in enhanced renter education in budgeting, how to care for their living space, and more.
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Often the hardest work—learning the skills for self sufficiency—begins after people find housing.
Our team works with individuals long after move-in day to help them achieve their education, employment, transportation, and health and wellness goals. The percent of clients still housed more than a year later rate rose 2 percentage points to 97%.
Affordable Housing Solutions
2022 kicked off our five-year strategic plan with affordable housing solutions as one of our top 5 priorities. The affordable housing landscape has been more challenging than we expected, with rising construction and operating costs outpacing federal affordability indexes.
Warren Street Duplex
After two years of navigating federal funding streams to purchase this duplex, we welcomed our first tenants into the home. Being landlords for the first time has allowed us the unique vantage point of seeing the rental market through both the eyes of the landlord and the tenant—our client. Through our housing projects, we can offer the scaffolding needed to help tenants become successful renters
Talbot Avenue Project
Talbot finally received planning board approval last year. When the costs for the Madelyn project surpassed the threshold that made sense for the 18 approved units, we pivoted and were able to transfer the county ARPA funding we’d been pledged to the Talbot project, allowing us to get the project off the ground more quickly.
Transportation
Home, Help, and Hope on Wheels
With a fleet of 5 vehicles including a truck, we now have the capacity to transport clients, pick up furniture from donors and deliver it to clients, and assist with client moves.
Thanks for creating a supportive community within which all families and individuals have the opportunity for housing and a sustainable productive life.
Susan’s Story
SUSAN* WAS WORKING 40-50 HOURS A WEEK LIVING IN A TRAILER WITH NO UTILITIES while trying to save enough for a modular home. She and her daughter eagerly watched the well and septic go in. Then supply chain issues pushed delivery back, forcing Susan to accept interest rates that were now double what they were when the house was originally expected. The bank demanded $18,000 additional up front, or would foreclose, repossessing her land to cover the well and septic.
Thanks to your support, and many collaborative organizations in our area, our team was empowered to do the right thing even in the face of insurmountable odds. The KCHC team pulled out all the stops, finding enough resources to make Susan’s dream a reality for herself and her daughter
James & His Family
WE MET JAMES A FEW YEARS AGO, AND QUICKLY GOT A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE HEARTBREAKING CHALLENGES HE WAS FACING. James*, his chronically ill grandmother, an uncle who suffers from mental concerns, and three younger siblings all lived in a very small, 1-bedroom apartment.
When James’s failing grades last year put his participation in the Trekkers Colorado trip at risk, Grandma encouraged him to begin tutoring sessions at The Landing Place. With our help, and his hard work, he was able to turn his entire school year around. He made it on the trip and is now looking forward to being a class representative and student leader.
Zaria’s Success
AFTER BEING IN AN EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP FOR YEARS WITH HER CHILDREN’S FATHER, ZARIA* DECIDED IT WAS TIME FOR A CHANGE. She was forced to quit a job she loved after six years of employment when her ex-partner used their vehicle as a tool to control her movements. For a short time after the breakup she moved in with his family—a decision that was not sustainable. Zaria decided it was time to forge her own path as a single mom.
With the help of KCHC’s Case Management program, Zaria was able to secure a subsidized housing rental unit locally. She and her case manager worked together to identify local funding resources to fix her personal vehicle, allowing her to pursue stable employment again. She applied for and was awarded temporary assistance to support her children while looking for a job.
Zaria is learning how to budget her finances with a personal bank account that she controls, while pursuing therapy to help her process the past decade of her life so she can be the best mom to her kids. She has worked hard to experience the independence that she now has.
*Names and identifying details of client stories may be altered to protect client confidentiality.
Fostering safety through trust — we offer compassionate care, delivered with dignity and respect, empowering individuals and strengthening our community.
2022 Operating Budget: $3,839,506
Revenue by Funding Source
Investment by Program
Organizational Growth to Meet Community Need
Revenue and Expense by Year in US Dollars
Clients Served and Housed Per Year
Individuals Served and Housed
Number of KCHC Employees Over Time
Percent of Clients Served by County
Thank you
Though we are always conscious of the amount of paper we use, we recognize this is a lot of information and the web format may not be for everyone. Download and print a PDF version of this report here, or if you’d rather, we will gladly mail you a printed copy of the 2022 Community Impact Report.
To have a printed copy sent, please fill out the form below. Thank you once again for your interest in our work and belief in our mission.