PORTLAND — McAuley Residence, a transitional housing program for at-risk women and their children operated by the Mercy Health System of Maine, is preparing to double its capacity to 16 apartments by moving to the former Portland Children’s Hospital.

The new location, at the corner of High and Danforth streets, is under renovation by the building’s owner, Community Housing of Maine. McAuley will occupy the “McAuley Wing” of the building when it moves in in early January.

The McAuley Residence, currently located on State Street in Portland, serves women who struggle with addiction and have experienced other problems such as homelessness, domestic violence, broken relationships, mental health issues, or incarceration.

The center gives women access to health and dental care, life skills counseling on issues such as budgeting and debt repayment, and guidance about securing affordable permanent housing. Other services include the Mercy Recovery Center and access to other Mercy partners, such as Opportunity Alliance for parenting skills and Key Bank for financial mentoring.

In August, Mercy said it may sell itself to Massachusetts chain Steward Health Care System LLC, becoming the first for-profit hospital in Maine.