In 2018, the closure of Serenity House, a long-running sober living facility in Portland, left a critical gap in housing and treatment resources for local individuals experiencing homelessness and substance use disorder. The historic property at 30 Mellen Street had been a beacon of hope, but, empty, it highlighted Portland’s pressing need for supportive housing for those in recovery.
Enter Shalom House, a nonprofit dedicated to providing housing and services to over 2,000 Mainers living with severe and persistent mental illness. Observed its Housing Director Norman Maze, “There never seem to be enough services for Mainers who need them.”
And so the organization’s leadership formed a plan to change that, recognizing the potential of 30 Mellen Street to again shelter individuals while offering them comprehensive support services tailored to their needs.
To bring this vision to life, Shalom House turned to the Genesis Community Loan Fund, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) based in Brunswick, Maine.
Genesis played a pivotal role. First, it provided predevelopment and additional financing. Then its consulting expertise helped Shalom House secure additional resources from Norway Savings Bank, MaineHousing, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. When renovations began in January 2021, HardyPond Construction led the effort to preserve the building’s historic charm while modernizing its systems for efficiency and sustainability. Genesis continues to provide project financing.
Today, the result of this project exemplifying the power of collaboration is a transformed property designed to empower residents on their path to stability and independence. It offers 22 units of high-quality supportive housing, with a mix of efficiencies and one-bedroom apartments as well as separate family apartments in a former carriage house on the property. Its central location provides residents with easy access to public transportation, Maine Medical Center, and local businesses, ensuring they can easily connect to essential services and community resources.
Inside, a spacious kitchen supports cooking and cooking classes, while common areas host movie nights and programs such as financial literacy education. Within this supportive environment, the continuum of services offered prepares residents to transition from residential treatment to more independent living arrangements.
For residents like Nicholas Miller, 30 Mellen Street represents a life-changing chance. “Living here is like a breath of fresh air,” Nicholas shared. “I have a beautiful apartment. I slept better the first night here than I’ve slept in a long time, and now I have so much to live for.”
Thanks to the partnership with Genesis, the work of Shalom House at 30 Mellen Street is now filling an urgent gap, offering stability, support, and hope to those who very much need it.
- CNote is a women-led investment platform that empowers individuals and institutions to invest locally to further economic equality, racial justice, gender equity, and address climate change.
- Genesis Community Loan Fund is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) based in Brunswick, Maine, specializing in providing flexible loans and expert guidance to support the development of affordable housing and essential community resources throughout Maine and Northern New England
