RUMFORD – Oxford County Arc is looking at several options to replace the oldest group home in the area for developmentally delayed adults.
Arc Director Joseph Sirois said the New Hope home in Mexico, which provides homes for six adults, may be phased out if the Department of Health and Human Services grants approval for a new project.
He said the group home was originally known as the Hope School and has been the site of a group home for about 50 years.
He said plans have been drafted for building a new structure on property on the Swain Road in Rumford. Arc owns the land. If that option is chosen, the new home would house eight adults.
Arc has applied to Rural Development in Lewiston for a $1 million loan that would be used to construct a new building; however, Sirois said that is but one option. He said the organization is also looking at existing buildings that may have potential as a group home.
Besides the New Hope home in Mexico, Arc owns a group home on the Swain Road in Rumford that houses eight adults and another on Fourth Street in Mexico that houses four adults.
Applying for the loan gives the organization some flexibility, said Sirois.
“It may be as much as a year to decide,” he said.
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