AUGUSTA – On Tuesday, the Legislature’s Housing and Economic Development Committee voted 7-3 to support a bill sponsored
by Rep. Holly Eaton, D-Deer Isle, to provide funding for the redevelopment of the former Island Nursing Home into affordable senior housing.
“The proposal to convert the Island Nursing Home into senior housing is both thoughtful and urgently needed,” said Eaton. “I am grateful that my colleagues agree and have voted to support this effort.”
LD 1106 proposes a one-time appropriation of $250,000 to the Maine State Housing Authority to support the redevelopment. This funding will kick-start renovations, which are expected to cost roughly $2 million, and will also help leverage additional private and federal investments.
The Island Nursing Home first opened in 1983 with 50 skilled and residential care beds and expanded to 70 beds in the late 1990s. It closed in October 2021 and tried to reopen as a residential care facility, but ultimately did not due to a significant financial gap. As amended, the bill specifies that the apartments cannot be rented to persons whose income exceeds 120% of the area median income.
Eaton introduced the bill at the request of the Hon. Skip Greenlaw, who serves as vice president of the Board of Directors for the Island Nursing Home. In his testimony, Greenlaw stated that work is underway to convert two patient rooms into an apartment, and they anticipate a total of 23 units.
Eaton noted that the bill garnered strong bipartisan support, and she expressed appreciation for the work of her colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
“I want to thank Senator Nicole Grohoski and Representative Nina Milliken for co-sponsoring this bill and submitting testimony in support. I’m also grateful to Representative Amanda Collamore, whose engagement and collaboration were key to helping the bill advance out of committee,” said Eaton.
Eaton is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents the communities of Brooklin, Deer Isle, Eagle Island Township, Frenchboro, Southwest Harbor, Stonington, Swan’s Island, Tremont, Isle au Haut and Vinalhaven. She serves as a member of the Marine Resources Committee and the Transportation Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee (Eaton) | 305-965-2744