Senator Collins Attends Westbrook Housing Celebration
Westbrook, ME—U.S. Senator Susan Collins delivered remarks at the grand opening of the Westbrook Housing Authority’s newly rehabilitated housing developments of Riverview Terrace and Larrabee Woods, apartment buildings for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities. Following the ceremony, Senator Collins participated in a brief tour of Larrabee Woods. The event was attended by approximately 150 Westbrook Housing staff, residents, peer organizations, city and state legislators, financers, and project participants.
“Since it was established in 1969, Westbrook Housing has been on a mission to assist individuals and families within a supportive community,” said Senator Collins. “Thanks to the Westbrook Housing Authority, 83 households of seniors and people with disabilities will have quality, affordable housing.”
“Fifty-nine of these lovely units will be occupied by seniors. I was delighted to learn that among them is Sister Anita Moreau, who taught religious education and worked with my mother when I was growing up in Caribou,” continued Senator Collins. “And seven units will be home to veterans, including Vietnam veteran Dennis Axelson who, with the assistance of my Biddeford Constituent Services Center, was able to receive the benefits he earned through his service to our country.”
As Chairman of the Senate Housing Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Collins has fought to preserve funding for programs that support our nation’s housing agencies.
For 44 years, Riverview Terrace and Larrabee Woods have been operated by the Westbrook Housing Authority. In 2015, Westbrook Housing Authority partnered with Westbrook Development Corporation to implement the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Rental Assistance Demonstration Program (RAD), which allows public housing to be converted to Section 8 rental assistance in the interest of preserving and enhancing affordable housing. The Riverview Terrace complex is the first and—to date—only public housing property in Maine to be transitioned through the HUD RAD program.
