Habitat for Humanity/ 7 Rivers Maine creates successful homeownership opportunities for families with limited incomes by building sustainable housing and repairing and weatherizing existing homes.

History
Prompted by a question put to the members of First Parish Church by Rev. Bill Imes on a Sunday at the end of 1989, Judith Long and Mercie Normand began to give serious consideration to their New Year’s resolutions.  Both agreed that they should explore the issue of affordable housing in the area, Judith having recently left the United Pejepscot Housing Board.  Mercie contacted Portland HFH and learned that Christine DeTroy, who had recently moved to the area, was making the same inquiries about addressing the need in the Bath-Brunswick area.  Joined in their efforts by Mercie’s husband, Steve, and former contractor and town planner, Leo Enrico, a steering committee was formed to explore incorporation as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International.  The first community organizational meetings were held in May 1990 in Bath and Brunswick, and the lengthy application process began.  The efforts of the founders came to fruition on January 2, 1991.

Early in 2006, our affiliate's Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers met for two days to talk about the housing needs in our community and set goals for the organization’s future.  After much discussion, several decisions were made and goals were set.  The first major decision was to expand the service area to include the towns in Lincoln County that were not being served by any Habitat for Humanity affiliate.  Now, the official service area of the affiliate is Brunswick and Harpswell in Cumberland County, all of Sagadahoc County, and all of Lincoln County, a total of 31 towns with more than 98,000 individuals, comprising more than 41,000 households.  Our affiliate name 7 Rivers Maine is a derivation of seven of our service area's rivers; Cathance, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Sheepscot, Damariscotta, New Meadows, and Medomak.

This will be the 19^th year of building with families in need.

Family Selection
The HFH/7RM family selection committee considers applicants' level of need, their willingness to become partners in the Habitat program and their ability to repay the low interest loan, following a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection.  Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing homeowner families.

If your family, or a family you know, is in need of decent, affordable housing, please check our Request Application page where you will find information on the availability, size, costs, and sweat equity requirements for HFH/7RM houses, as well as information on the application process.

Habitat and its Affiliates
Habitat is a worldwide, grass-roots movement.  There are more than 2,100 active affiliates in 100 countries, including all 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico.  Use the Habitat for Humanity International affiliate search to find Habitat affiliates in other areas.

Habitat is a grass-roots movement.  Concerned citizens from all walks of life come together as volunteers to form a Habitat affiliate in their community.  Fundraising, house construction, family selection and other key decisions are carried out by the local affiliates.  HFHI headquarters, located in Americus, Ga., provides information, training, support and other services to Habitat affiliates worldwide.

Donations
Donations are used as designated by the donor.  Gifts received by us that are designated to a specific building project are forwarded to that project.  Any undesignated gifts are used where most needed.  Our most recent audited financial statement is available upon request.

Management
Our board of directors determines policy and monitors operations in conjunction with a board of advisors.  Board members are dedicated volunteers who are deeply concerned about the problems of poverty housing in our community.  We operate with an administrative staff, assisted by a core group of clerical and support employees and supplemented by long-term and short-term volunteers.