ST. GEORGE — The St. George Community Development Corporation has acquired 30 acres in St. George dedicated to delivering workforce affordable rentals and home ownership options.

“This acquisition serves our housing mission, helping sustain a vibrant year-round community in St. George,” said Rob Kelley, president of the Development Corporation, in a news release. “Our initiatives are aimed at helping to expand the availability of workforce affordable housing that can serve our community, while also making our local businesses more sustainable, and our town, school, and community more resilient in the face of economic and other changes.” 

The parcel is located on Route 73 near Route 131, and has not been previously developed. The Community Development Corporation has been looking for properties to serve as their first site to develop rental and home ownership opportunities. Funding for the acquisition was secured from private donors.

Access to affordable housing is an issue in every community in Maine. According to a recent report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a worker in Knox County earning the average renter’s hourly wage of $14.25 would need to work 1.5 full time jobs to afford even a modest two-bedroom rental. And since 2019, the median home price in St. George has skyrocketed to over $415,000, putting home ownership out of reach for many community members.

The next step will be a planning and design initiative, after which the Community Development Corporation intends to develop the property in phases over the next several years.

The St. George Community Development Corporation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to leading and funding innovative projects that enhance the community resiliency of St. George, Maine by supporting community and economic development, developing workforce housing, expanding educational opportunities, and increasing access to healthcare. Find out more at https://www.stgeorgecommunity.org/ and https://www.stgeorgecommunity.org/housing/