Equality Community Center in Portland, Maine, has opened the state’s first affordable senior housing community. Including both housing and supportive services for LGBTQ+ older adults, “Community Commons” officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 19.
Reports MGME CBS TV-13:
Dozens of new affordable homes are open in Portland, aimed at helping the LGBTQ+ community.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Wednesday for the Equality Community Center on Casco Street.
It’s described as Maine’s first affordable senior housing community, with programs and services specifically aimed at supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
The executive director of the center says older people in that community are particularly vulnerable.
“When I was 17 years old with my partner then, and I was told by the landlord, one of four who said, ‘You can’t have an apartment in my building because you’re gay,’” Equality Community Center Founder Ed Gardner said. “So to me this is what this building stands for. For equality, for safety, for our community and people that we love.”
The center includes 54 affordable units for people making 50 to 60 percent of the median income in Greater Portland.
While it offers services for the LGBTQ+ community, it’s open to residents 55 and older of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
People are already renting the apartments.
The waitlist is open, and more than 250 people have already joined.
Read or watch the complete WGME CBS TV-13 story here.