Origins
Franklin School Apartments - photo: Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
The project was initiated in response to “The 10 Year Plan to Eliminate Homelessness in Lewiston and Auburn” that was adopted by both Cities in 2009. Further, the project addesses the City of Auburn 2010-2014 Consolidated Plan in which ten units of supportive rental housing would be created in the Union Street target area.
The program is based upon the “Housing First” model of serving homeless individuals and families and is premised on the belief that vulnerable and at-risk homeless individuals are more responsive to interventions and social services after they are in their own housing. Case management is the coordination of community services through the assessment of need, and the linkage to and coordination of community.
The objective is to help adults with disabities escape the cycle of homelessness and progress towards independence and a better quality of life. Secondarily, the object is to reduce the need for a return to more costly, publicly funded emergency services.
Supportive housing has proven to be an effective strategy in reducing long-term homelessness and the associated costs. Housing First states that a homeless individual’s first and primary need is to obtain stable housing, and the issues creating the homelessness are then addressed.
The Building
The Franklin School Apartments are permanent housing for homeless households linked with supportive, case management services.
The property consists of 6- 1-bedroom apartments, one of which is handicap accessible. The facility also contains an office, meeting room, and on-site laundry and is located 1.5 miles from the Auburn Mall and .5 miles from downtown Auburn.
The facility formerly served as an Auburn School Building.
Sun Journal Article: Franklin School Apartments