It was a great honor to have U.S. Senator Susan Collins address leaders of the NeighborWorks America network in Washington, D.C. Our CEO, Kara Hay, had the privilege of introducing her, highlighting the strong partnership between NeighborWorks and leaders committed to expanding access to affordable housing. Below are highlights from U.S. Senator Susan Collins and a link to the video. 🏡 The Power of NeighborWorks' Model – Senator Collins praised the incredible impact of NeighborWorks organizations, noting that for every $1 in federal investment, $71 is leveraged in community investment. Here in Maine, our affiliates, including Penquis, take it even further, leveraging $140 per federal dollar! 🔑 Transforming Lives in Maine – Last year alone, NeighborWorks organizations in Maine helped 432 individuals become homeowners, managed more than 3,600 affordable rental homes, and repaired or preserved over 4,000 homes, sustaining nearly 2,000 jobs in the process. 💡 Meeting the Housing Crisis Head-On – Senator Collins emphasized the urgent need for safe, affordable housing nationwide, recognizing the hard work and passion of organizations like NeighborWorks in creating opportunities and strengthening communities. To watch the full video, click the link. https://youtu.be/MH96Tg0OqQw #NeighborWorks #AffordableHousing #CommunityImpact #MaineHousing #CommunityDevelopment #Homeownership (fb)

This winter brought some of the coldest temperatures in the past decade. So far this season, Penquis Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) has processed over 10,000 applications and helped 7,812 qualifying households across Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox counties stay warm. Penquis remains committed to the thousands of Maine households that rely on HEAP, a vital lifeline for older adults on fixed incomes, individuals with disabilities and low-income families with young children. Applications received before March 28 will be processed first, while those submitted after will be placed on a waiting list. We will continue to process all current applications while funding remains available.🏡 (fb)