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Northern New England Housing Investment Fund
The Motherhouse – Portland, Maine

The Motherhouse, developed by Developers Collaborative, is the first building in the multi-phase redevelopment of the Sisters of Mercy site located in Portland’s Deering Center Neighborhood. Originally built in 1906, The Motherhouse at 605 Stevens Avenue was home to the Sisters of Mercy until 2005 when it was closed due to a dwindling number of Sisters living at the nearly 116,000 square foot property located on 18.98 acres.

The 18M rehabilitation converted the convent’s numerous common spaces and small one room units into 88 apartments, including 66 tax credit units, for residents at 55 years of age and older. Each studio and one-bedroom apartment has a unique view and layout. This extensive rehabilitation was also able to restore and preserve the original grand stairways, stained glass windows, three story chapel with altar and grand organ while also adding two elevators, an onsite library, community room, two laundry rooms and sitting areas throughout. An onsite Resident Service Coordinator is available three days a week to help link tenants with services and coordinate onsite health and wellness programs.

NNEHIF’s 481 Maine and New Hampshire Housing Fund III provided $5.9M in LIHTC equity to this project. Additional financing in the form of hard and soft debt from Maine Housing, Historic tax credits, and the City of Portland rounded out the funding for Motherhouse.