AUBURN — The city council last week unanimously approved spending $125,000 on a housing development for the chronically homeless.

The project will be developed in conjunction with Home for Good, a program established by the state in March that funds permanent housing for the homeless.  

The project will offer a “housing first” approach, according to Spurwink’s website. Residents will not need to be sober to access housing. Instead, the project will provide “stable ground” upon which people can begin to have their behavioral health needs met.

The complex at 143 Hampshire St. will house 20-30 people.

Councilor Belinda Gerry said she hopes it will inspire similar projects.

“I’m looking forward to this as a springboard to encourage other so-inclined projects, maybe hopefully by Auburn Housing, but maybe by some other private developers,” Gerry said. 

Auburn officials hope that the entire cost is not borne by the city and hope to ultimately only spend $25,000 of taxpayer funds on the project. Lewiston is contributing $25,000 while Androscoggin Bank is contributing $15,000. Officials hope to raise the remainder through community donations.  

If the city is unable to meet its $100,000 goal, the remaining balance will come out of its unassigned fund balance. 

All units in Home for Good housing, including the Auburn development, are supported by vouchers requiring tenants to pay 30 percent of their income for rent.  

Homelessness in Maine has increased by 33 percent since 2020, according to Spurwink, a nonprofit that will provide mental health support and substance use services for the future residents.