SHELTER
Low Impact, Inspiring, and Cost Effective
"We’re focused on weatherizing and upgrading the energy efficiency of our existing housing, and we support the construction of abundant and affordable housing using green building practices."
Much of western Maine’s housing stock is old and leaky. We can’t rely on new energy-efficient construction alone as a climate solution–weatherizing and upgrading our existing buildings can save energy and money while increasing comfort. Contractors can be hard to find in our rural areas, so we continue to support expanding the weatherization and green building workforce, as well as providing education for do-it-yourself upgrades. Residents and newcomers struggle to find affordable rentals and homes for sale, with a portion of the existing housing and new construction being for part-time, seasonal residents who own property elsewhere. We support the construction of abundant and affordable housing using green building materials, with simple choices like duplexes and apartments improving energy efficiency through shared walls. Through our partnership with the Cooperative Development Institute, we champion cooperative housing as an equitable path to move from rental to ownership.
Current Projects
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Providing accessible, affordable, and climate-friendly housing was part of the inspiration for the Norway Community Housing project, formerly known as the Norway Equitable Housing Cooperative, a project we started when we were approached by local renters in 2021. Over the last five years, we met regularly around the shared need and vision for equitable and energy-efficient housing in our community. We knew that finding funding and following this project to completion would be a long road, and that if our first efforts didn’t succeed, we’d continue to work to meet the needs expressed by our community.
The site we’re developing into 17 energy-efficient units is a half-acre in a residential neighborhood within walking distance of Main Street Norway. With generous support from our community, we’ve completed three of six phases of the project, including the purchase of 33 and 35 Whitman Street, asbestos abatement and demolition of hazardous structures, and becoming ‘shovel ready’ by solidifying architectural and engineering plans and receiving approval from the Town’s Planning Board. In 2025, we applied for funding of the project through the Maine Housing Rural Affordable Rental Housing Program (RARHP), but were denied. With the support of partner organizations, the project will seek support from a new round of RARHP funding in September 2026.
WindowDressers Norway Community Build
Oct. 22-26, 2026
Each year, we host a Community Build in Norway. Program participants are encouraged to volunteer, and we also welcome community members to help make this program successful. Measurements for window inserts are taken in the summer - order your WindowDressers inserts here.
The build will take place at the First Universalist Church of Norway. Sign up for a volunteer shift here. Food and tools provided, and we'll teach you all the skills you need.
"WindowDressers brings volunteers together to improve the warmth and comfort of homes, lower heating costs, and reduce CO2 emissions by producing low-cost insulating window inserts that function as interior-mounted storm windows. Our staff supplies, trains, and supports teams of community volunteers as they build affordable, insulating window inserts at local Community Builds."
Learn more about WindowDressers and order your inserts here.
Past Projects
From 2022-2023, CEBE led a Community Weatherization Project in partnership with We Built This. The project focused on households experiencing low incomes, and provided them with a free energy assessment and the skills and materials to weatherize their own homes. In a pay-it-forward model, program participants also volunteered to help with other homes in the community. This program functioned as additional support to WindowDressers, our annual window insert build.
We Built This
Our Shelter Working Group partnered with Maine Passive House to offer She Built This, a carpentry workshop for women, in the fall of 2020. To be more inclusive, the workshop series has been renamed We Built This, and grew to become its own non-profit that we're proud to partner with and support their programming.
Little Free Pantry
With the rise of food insecurity and demand on the emergency food system in the Western Foothills, the Shelter Working Group partnered with the Food Working Group to build a Little Free Pantry.
Inspired by the Little Free Library movement, this Little Free Pantry was first located on the information kiosk in Longley Square, and is now located at Alan Day Community Garden in Norway. The pantry is stocked with produce during the growing season, and non-perishable and dry goods during freezing months, open to anyone at any time. Donations are always welcome!
