Dedication Ceremony for New Affordable Senior Housing Community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact
Glenn Michaels, Volunteers of America Northern New England
Office: (207) 373-1140, ext. 216
glenn.michaels@voanne.org
Held Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m., May 20th in Bangor.
The Honorable Congressman Mike Michaud was Keynote Speaker.
BANGOR, ME (May 20, 2011): Volunteers of America Northern New England celebrated the official dedication of the Miller Square on Harlow today at 1:30 p.m. The celebration took place at Miller Square on Harlow which is a new 55-unit high quality affordable senior housing community in Bangor. It is named in honor of Abe and Frieda Miller who were respected members of the Bangor community and champions for the needs and rights of seniors and others.
The Honorable Congressman Mike Michaud was the keynote speaker. “Having additional options for affordable housing in Bangor is important to area seniors,” said Congressman Mike Michaud. “This new facility not only provides that, but will do so in way that incorporates a vital support system. I being part of this ceremony and seeing firsthand the progress that’s been made.”
Miller Square on Harlow was made possible through major funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), MaineHousing and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. We are grateful to the City of Bangor staff and city council and Bangor Savings Bank for their extraordinary support. We also received enthusiastic support from the community and countless people and organizations that share Volunteers of America’s vision and commitment to expand affordable housing for seniors.
According to June Koegel, President and CEO of Volunteers of America Northern New England, “We are proud to dedicate this building and all that it stands for in the memory of former Bangor residents Abe and Frieda Miller. They have been champions for ensuring that seniors can live in safety and maintain their dignity and worth as individuals. Seniors are facing difficult challenges. These are our parents and grandparents, our sisters and brothers, and our friends and neighbors and they need our help. Here at Miller Square on Harlow, seniors will be able to live in safety and dignity”.
Koegel added, “This has also been one of the biggest new construction projects in the region; providing affordable housing, attracting more than $10 million in federal funds to Bangor, creating new jobs, and saving money for taxpayers. Our long and valued partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development provided the majority of the funding. Thanks to the generosity of Maine Housing and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston we could complete and launch this program. We are grateful for the trust and invaluable support of these organizations.”
Additional funding is still needed. There are opportunities if you and/or your organization would like to help. Please contact Jacob Roberson at (207) 373-1140 ext. 246 or jacob.roberson@voanne.org.”
Schedule of Events and Speakers:
Music Members of the Bangor Symphony starting at 12:30 p.m.
Parade of flags Bangor High School, Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Color Guard and members of the Bangor Symphony
Pledge of Allegiance Troy Morton, Chief Deputy, Penobscot County, Maine
Welcome: June Koegel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Volunteers of America
Invocation: Rev. James L. Haddix, Ph.D., Pastor, All Souls Congregational Church in Bangor
Remarks: Michael King, President and Chief Executive Officer, Volunteers of America, national
William Burney, Maine Field Office Director, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Dale McCormick, Director, MaineHousing
James J. Conlon, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bangor Savings Bank
Mark Kontio, Staff Assistant representing the Honorable Senator Olympia Snowe
Bill Miller, Representing the Miller family
Keynote Speaker: Honorable Congressman Mike Michaud, Maine’s 2nd District
Benediction: Rev. Greg Music, Chaplain, Volunteers of America Northern New England
Closing: June Koegel
Ribbon Cutting: By all participants listed above
Refreshments and Tours: Refreshments and tours will be available in the Miller Square on Harlow facility before and after the ceremony
"We are extremely proud of this new affordable senior housing," said Michael (Mike) King, President and Chief Executive Officer of Volunteers of America. "Volunteers of America is the number one provider of HUD 202 housing for seniors in the country. Our New England affiliate is a leader in this effort and I am please to be able to share in this celebration with our residents and guests. Besides providing an affordable, comfortable and safe new home, Miller Square on Harlow is a green building with solar power on the roof that heats the domestic water for the entire building."
King added, "At Volunteers of America, we’re changing the aging experience for Mainers and Americans. But we can’t do it without you. Through Aging with Options™, our most aggressive initiative to date, we’re working to ensure that all seniors have the opportunity to age where they most want to be - at home."
Miller Square on Harlow is the ninth affordable senior housing community built and managed by Volunteers of America Northern New England. The others are located in Augusta, Portland, Saco, Peaks Island, Belfast, Topsham and Thomaston, Maine and Loudon, New Hampshire.
Residents must be at least 62 years old. If two people share an apartment, one must be at least 62 years old. Incomes limit range from $21,600 to $29,640. The facility is handicapped accessible and provides on-site management, plenty of community space and 24-hour on-call service.
According to Julia Wilcock, Vice President, Volunteers of America Northern New England, “We are proud to be a leader in providing high quality affordable housing to seniors. Many seniors are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their independence. Often difficult choices are made between rent, food, medicine and other critical needs. Our apartments include heat, water and a monthly allowance toward electricity. Rent is 30% of our residents’ adjusted income or below market rents. This goes a long way to alleviate the stress on residents having to make those difficult choices,” said Wilcock.
“HUD’s senior housing program serves a vital need by ensuring that low-income seniors have a safe, decent and affordable place to live,” said William Burney, Maine Field Office Director for HUD. “Volunteers of America has been an excellent partner in creating a higher quality of life and improved sense of community for residents.”
Volunteers of America Northern New England is a national, non-profit, spiritually based organization providing local human service programs and opportunities for individual and community involvement. Volunteers of America is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit providers of affordable housing for low-income seniors, families and persons with disabilities. Additional information is available on our website at www.voanne.org.
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