RUMFORD – Alan Monier believes young adults ages 18-25 don’t receive the services they often should. If people are younger, they receive services.
“The 18- to 25-year-olds are kind of invisible. Once they are 18, they don’t get help,” he said.
Monier, the executive director of Rumford Group Homes Inc., decided to do something about this about three years ago.
And on Thursday, the result was open to area people.
The three-story home, which was built around 1904 on Franklin Street, became the area’s first transitional-housing program. Its three apartments will house up to 10 young adults and their children for up to two years.
“This will be a second chance for them,” he said.
Once the two years are up, Monier’s agency will help residents find permanent housing.
Those who will be accepted into the home, under a reduced federal rent program, have been homeless or living in their cars, he said. They also must be motivated.
“If you’re not motivated to get ahead, to get a job, skills, education, to learn how to take care of your kids, we don’t want you here,” he said.
Rumford Group Homes will provide a case manager to help tenants with each one of these requirements.
Referrals for the new home could come from Rumford Group Homes, Community Concepts, the Abused Women’s Advocacy Project and other social service agencies.
Monier said he expects the new home to be filled by Nov. 1.
Funding for the project, including buying the building and completely refurbishing it, came from a Maine State Housing Bond approved by voters in 2003, Monier said.
Rumford Group Homes has plans for creating a second transitional home next year. This time, it will be six units that can house up to 25 young adults and their children, and it will be located in Norway.
The cost to build the new apartment building is estimated between $700,000 and $800,000. The funds will come from the federal and state governments, Monier said.
Rumford Group Homes is based in Rumford. In addition to the new transitional housing program, it operates three residential homes in Leeds, Rumford and Dixfield; a crisis stabilization center in Turner; and a treatment center for youngsters age 9-11 in Dixfield. In all, 45 young people live in its homes.
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