Members of the community and Bowdoin's Habitat for Humanity chapter gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony this Saturday to start the building process of a youth initiated build.
The ceremony was attended by residents from the local community, including Brunswick's town representative John Richardson and the members of Brunswick's Housing Authority, which donated the land for the project. Bowdoin's habitat chapter is partnering with local high schools to help make affordable housing a reality for community members who make 50 percent or less of the average income in Brunswick. Cumberland County, which includes Brunswick, has the highest housing costs in the state.
Students in the Bowdoin chapter hope to involve students in the building process starting next semester. The building site is on Harpswell Road, about a quarter of a mile south of the Outdoor Leadership Center.
"It was exciting to witness the first step of the construction of this house," said Thomas Rodrigues '06. "We have been focusing on fundraising this semester, so it'll be great to get busy with a build in the fall."
Habitat is also organizing a Lobster Bake on May 15 on Popham Beach from Noon until 3:00 p.m.
"We'll be running vans from campus to the beach at 11, noon, and 1 p.m., and then back at 2, 3, and 5 p.m.," Rodrigues said. Habitat plans to charge approximately $10 for the event.
Habitat provides housing for low-income community members to combat the growing problem of affordable housing in the United States.