Dear Editor:

I am currently the senior warden at St. Philips Church.

I would like to clear up some misconceptions and misunderstandings about the 10 SROs (single-resident occupancy) St. Philips and commonspace are working on.

These 10 SROs are considered “work force housing.” They will be approximately 100 square feet each with room for a bed, chair, dresser and coat rack. There will be built-in storage under the eaves on each side of the window in each room. There will be an elevator and each room will be accessible to the disabled. These rooms are mainly for people starting out or older people who can’t afford a typical apartment where rent is over $1,000 a month. These rooms will be in the range of $700 to $750 a month.

Tenants will have to apply and go through a background check and sign a one-year lease. Each tenant will be expected to pay their own rent.

We have a large parking lot across the street from us. There will be parking for the disabled and an entrance to the building for those in need.

This housing is not connected to a resource center or treatment center.

There will be two large bathrooms – one each for men and women – and both will have at least two showers, sinks and stalls with toilets. There will also be a common laundry area as well as a common kitchen and sitting area.

The residents of these apartments will be citizens of Wiscasset.

What these rooms are not: It is not transitional housing; not a homeless shelter; not a recovery center; not a warming center; and not a group home.

These apartments are year-round housing that are more affordable than most apartments in Wiscasset. These apartments are for a single male or a single female.

There will be a person in charge of oversight for 20 hours a week.

The tenants will be responsible for keeping the units, as well as the common areas, clean.

I hope this helps clear up any misleading information that has been circulating out there.

Jon Young

Newcastle