Construction Underway for ‘Passive House’ Apartment Complex

What is a 'passive house' apartment complex? According to developers, it's a concept that combines energy efficiency, natural light, and indoor air quality. And a Maine non-profit has construction underway for its largest project, which will provide housing to low-and-moderate income families.

Community Housing of Maine, or CHOM, is a non-profit, affordable housing developer that owns about 75 different buildings. Some of the rental housing is designed for people with special needs and the elderly. In addition, CHOM develops workplace housing, which means affordable housing that's located near the city center for working families.

Construction is currently underway at the site of the old State Street School in Brewer for a 48-unit building that will provide housing for low-to-moderate income families. Development Director Erin Cooperrider told us, the 'Village Centre' will offer ten 3-bedroom apartments, seventeen 2-bedroom apartments, and twenty-one 1-bedroom apartments. In addition, there will be plenty of parking, for both vehicles and bicycles. And, the Village Centre will have a bus stop with a covered shelter.

Cooperrider says, ironically enough, the challenge for developers on this project was coming up with a way to boost energy efficiency while also keeping the apartments cool enough in the warmer months.

"The design team spent a lot of time getting the right balance of heat and moisture recovery ventilation." Erin told us. "We had to make sure that we were turning air over, so that we had good indoor air quality.

Erin says, while it's too early to have an actual waiting list for apartments, they are making a list of people who have an interest in getting on that list. The waiting list will begin 90 days before the completion of the project, which is expected to be open in April of 2016. To let CHOM know that you're interested in being considered for tenancy, call (208) 879-0347. And, for more information on the organization itself, log onto the Community Housing of Maine website.