Secure Housing for Queer and BIPOC Creatives in Maine

Rabbit Hole Housing Cooperative’s mission is to create stable, rent-controlled, cooperatively-owned housing for its Queer, Trans, and majority BIPOC membership.

We are looking to acquire a Portland property that would house 11 people to live in a cooperative environment. This sustainable housing project will support us as creatives to build collective capacity to meet the times we are living in.

We are composed entirely of Queer and Trans members and predominantly BIPOC individuals who share a desire to honor and deepen our roots in Maine. We are a collective of artists and culture makers that intend to use this space to continue our community-building efforts locally. The house we’ve chosen would provide a stable, rent-controlled environment to address the high rates of housing insecurity that are compounded by our current cultural and political climate. It will also serve as a community gathering space, a place for creative expression, and an opportunity to engage with the land in a meaningful way.

We are a start-up organization seeking support in the form of donations and no-interest loans to help us purchase a 6-bedroom property on one acre of land in Portland, Maine. Our goal is to raise $10,000 earnest money to make our offer on the property in early July, and $5,000 to cover inspections. The earnest money will go toward our down payment and closing costs of an estimated $50,000, needed by mid-September 2025.

The collective is looking to raise the initial $15,000 in startup costs, looking towards our total goal of $50,000 for total closing costs. Our members will begin collecting membership fees to establish a reserve when we confirm the offer on the property. The remainder of the funds to purchase the home will be coming from a funding organization that works with cooperative projects.

We are seeking community donations via GoFundMe and fundraising events, as well as larger no-interest loans from private lenders to be repaid in 18-24 months once the cooperative begins generating rental income.

Please share our project and consider donating or making a personal loan to create more secure Queer, Trans, and BIPOC housing in our state. Contact us with any questions!