A Brief History of Auburn Housing Authority

A group of concerned citizens in Auburn gathered to discuss the need for affordable housing in 1965, and by 1966, the City of Auburn determined that it would be in the best interest of the community to create Auburn Housing Authority. In 1968, Harry Woodard, Jr., was appointed Executive Director and our first development, the Lake Auburn Towne House, was constructed across from Washburn School on the site of a former corn-shop. This provided 100 units of much-needed elderly housing to the community. In 1973, a 50 unit family development was constructed at the end of Broadview Avenue. In 1978, the nearly vacant and deteriorating Barker Mill in New Auburn was rehabilitated into 111 attractive units of housing for the elderly.

In the mid-1970's, Auburn Housing Authority began participating in a new program called the Section 8 Housing Certificate Program, which provides housing assistance for persons in the private market. This program, now called the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, provides 590 lower income households with rental assistance in order that they can afford to live in decent, safe and sanitary housing. This is our largest program and involves a partnership between apartment owners, Auburn Housing Authority and lower income renters.

Auburn Housing Authority developed the Lincoln School Apartments (Family) and Merrill Estates (Elderly) in 1984, and later acquired the Auburn Esplanade (Elderly) from Peabody Properties. In late 1985, Richard Whiting was appointed our second Executive Director. Broadview Acres (Family), on outer Broad Street in New Auburn, was acquired and substantially rehabilitated in the mid-90's. A related entity, Auburn Residential Development Corporation, offers spacious apartments at 11-15 South Main Street (Family).

Auburn Housing Authority is currently rehabilitating the former Vincent Bottling Plant at 80 Mill Street into an affordable housing development financed primarily with low income housing tax credits. When completed in late 2009, this conveniently located facility will offer 17 one and two bedroom apartments for eligible persons who are 55+. It will be called Vincent Square Apartments and will offer a number of accessible apartments, as well as a number of adaptable units which can be made fully accessible.