Kennebunk Savings has contributed $50,000 to Habitat for Humanity York County’s (HHYC) capital campaign to support the purchase and restoration of their new facility at 123 York Street in Kennebunk. The highly-visible location will serve as HHCY’s new home office and ReStore retail location. In recognition of the contribution, the new building’s board room will be named for Kennebunk Savings.
“This new building really is kicking off a new chapter for Habitat,” said Amy Nucci, HHYC’s Executive Director. “We know that we are one small piece of the solution, but we want to be a bigger one. This new location provides great visibility on Route One for our ReStore, a larger sales floor in the store, and more space to offer community programming. It’s just a critical piece of our strategic plan to have a permanent location for our store and offices, but it’s also just a really great home base to grow our impact from.”
HHYC serves low-to very-low income families earning between 30% and 60% of the median household income in York County. They help create safe, decent, affordable housing through homebuilding, weatherization and aging in place programs. Since 1985, they have constructed 35 affordable homes and have provided upgrades to over 200 homes in the county. The Kennebunk ReStore, in operation since 2013 and most recently located on Industrial Drive in Kennebunk, provides the public with new and used quality furniture, building supplies, appliances and other household goods. An average of 40% of HHYC’s income is derived from ReStore sales.
Given historic housing challenges in York County, HHYC has adopted a strategic plan for the next five years by increasing homeownership production to four units per year and weatherization and aging in place programs to 35 households served per year.
“So many critical issues facing our community, our economy, our mental wellbeing – it comes back to housing,” said Lex Meagher, the Bank’s Senior EVP and Chief Credit Officer. “The housing situation in York County, in particular, is very challenging. HHYC’s strategic plan calls for doubling its community impact; this is ambitious and awe-inspiring. The effect it will have on hard-working families and older adults aging in place cannot be overstated.”
Photo Caption: Lex Meagher, Senior EVP, Chief Credit Officer, and Bradford C. Paige, President and CEO, tour the new HHYC facility at 123 York Street, Kennebunk