Kennebunk-area nonprofit acquires historic affordable apartments in Kennebunkport
Neighborhood Housing Trust Seeks Funders to Modernize Historic Kennebunkport Apartment Building
The Neighborhood Housing Trust has taken ownership of a 131‑year‑old apartment building at 6 North Street in Kennebunkport and is now turning to donors for the work needed to keep the unit affordable for longtime and new residents alike.
The nonprofit, which focuses on low‑cost housing in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel, received the property from the South Church Housing Corporation last month. The transfer came after nearly fifty years of ownership by the church’s housing arm. In a statement released on August 31, the Trust pledged to maintain the building’s low rent levels for current and future tenants.
“Ensuring that 6 North Street can continue to be a viable, affordable place to live is a top priority,” said Larissa Crockett, executive director of the Trust. “We’re looking for support so the building can stay in service for many years to come.”
What the Repairs Will Entail
The building, located just steps from Dock Square, needs a number of upgrades to bring it up to modern standards and improve its energy efficiency. The Trust’s plan includes installing heat pumps in place of the existing oil‑based heating system and replacing old windows to enhance insulation.
Crockett explained that the Trust is hoping for a “couple hundred thousand dollars” to fund the improvements, adding, “We’re not going to charge you millions of dollars to name our building. We just need, like, a couple hundred thousand dollars.” She emphasized that affordable housing is essential to sustaining a sense of community in a town that sees most of its homes selling for more than a million dollars.
Fund‑raising Opportunities
To meet the projected costs, the Trust has launched a fundraising campaign that welcomes contributions of all sizes. A highlight of the effort will be a jazz‑night auction hosted at the Kennebunk River Club on October 1. The event will feature live music and auction items designed to benefit the Trust’s renovation project.
In addition to the fundraising event, voters in Kennebunk will have the chance to support the Trust’s broader mission during the November election. The nonprofit is seeking approval to acquire a 1.26‑acre parcel of town‑owned land off Factory Pasture Lane, which it plans to develop into a small number of affordable single‑family homes. At a recent meeting of the Kennebunk Select Board, the board recommended that the voters approve the land acquisition. “If we have the land, we can build the housing,” Crockett said.
Why Affordable Housing Matters in Kennebunkport
Kennebunkport is known for its high property values, with the median home sale price regularly exceeding $1 million. In such a climate, affordable rental options are scarce, and the 6 North Street building is among the few that remain within reach for many residents. “You want to have the people that volunteer to play music at your church, you want to have people that are walking downtown to work in the shops there,” Crockett noted. “That’s what makes a community whole, and it’s what makes it sustainable in the long run.”
The Trust’s initiative is part of a broader effort to preserve long‑standing housing options in a town that attracts many seasonal visitors. By improving the building’s energy efficiency and ensuring its long‑term maintenance, the nonprofit hopes to keep it an accessible, affordable home for Kennebunkport residents for years to come.
