An organization that got its start assisting unhoused people in the Rockland area has adopted a new name that reflects the growing need for its services across one of Maine’s least affordable regions.
The Knox County Homeless Coalition has renamed itself Homeworthy, in part because its services now extend beyond the midcoast county, and also to emphasize that everyone is worthy of a home.
Rent and home prices are increasing across much of Maine, and a recent study highlighted the seriousness of the issue in the midcoast, where most municipalities lack enough affordable housing for their residents.
Although there are efforts to address this with new housing developments in communities such as Rockland and Bath, the demand for Homeworthy’s services remains strong and growing, said Executive Director Molly Feeney.
The group connects people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity with affordable units, shelters and other resources, serving about 1,000 clients, Feeney said. It has also worked with the Midcoast Habitat for Humanity to develop the Firefly Field affordable housing complex in Rockland, where the first batch of homes is expected to be completed this fall.
While it started in Rockland, Homeworthy has been responding to the growing demand for its services beyond Knox County for some time now, dipping into northern Lincoln and southern Waldo counties, Feeney said. Given that expansion of its service area, it has been considering a rebrand for six years.
Though Homeworthy does the majority of its work in Knox County, Feeney said it has had trouble with service providers thinking its focus was solely there. It’s also still growing and looking to gain a better understanding of the needs in Waldo County, according to Feeney.
“I think what we want to make sure is that if people have needs, that they are feeling like we are accessible to reach out to. And it’s always our intention to do everything that we can within our means to make sure that an individual is getting the support or getting connected to appropriate support, regardless of where they’re calling from,” Feeney said.
In addition, Homeworthy dropped the word “homeless” from its name because of the stigma that often comes with the word, and to better reflect the group’s goals.
“What I hope is that this brand helps us to be better understood and really promotes this idea that we’re all worthy,” Feeney said. “And I think the more we show up for one another with that sentiment, the more we’re going to be able to make the progress that our community really needs, which is balanced and access to safe and healthy and affordable housing.”
