WESTBROOK – In her fourth decade at Westbrook Housing, Deputy Director Susan Eldridge says all it takes to keep her motivated is to take a walk through the organization’s senior housing community and chat with the residents.

“What I’ve always wanted to do was work with seniors,” she said, adding that she took her role at Westbrook Housing in 1977 as a way to advocate for the elderly. “I kind of made myself a resource and kind of a leader in the elderly industry at the time.”

Now, after 37 years, Eldridge is retiring on July 11. Leading up to a retirement celebration next week, Eldridge spoke Monday about the immense changes she has seen during her tenure at Westbrook Housing.

Since the 1970s, Westbrook Housing has provided affordable housing, beginning with 58 apartments at Riverview Terrace and expanding to a total of 481 apartments within 10 properties. The organization provides senior, multi-family, market-rate, tax credit, and public housing.

When Eldridge joined the organization, she was only the fourth employee (Westbrook Housing currently employs 34), and only two properties had been established, Riverview Terrace, where she first applied, and Pine Knoll Terrace, later renamed Juniper Lane.

She said there are difficulties facing many families today that weren’t common 30 years ago, such as the lack of affordable housing that ties rent to a percentage of income. Eldridge said decades ago, affordable housing often meant only requiring that up to 30 percent of income go toward rent. Now, “very little” housing of that nature is available.

Westbrook Housing’s first property, Riverview Terrace, and Larrabee Village, are the organization’s only communities requiring 30 percent. She said the remaining properties, known as tax credit projects, can sometimes be too expensive for those who need housing the most.

“People can be a paycheck away from eviction, because all it takes is someone to lose a job and all of a sudden they can’t afford the rent anymore,” she said. “There are no free rides, no matter what people tell you. People today spend a lot of money on rental expenses.”

However, through the difficulties that come with changes in the industry, Eldridge has tried to implement initiatives that lend further support to people who need it, especially seniors. During the late 1980s, Eldridge sought grants to provide social workers for the organization, a practice that is now widely used.

Eldridge said Monday that Westbrook Housing has one social worker, a supportive services employee and a homemaker on staff.

She added that the social services employee coordinates with area agencies to set up transportation and meals, while the homemaker assists residents in cleaning, and even makes trips to the grocery store.

“I’m really concerned about the people behind the walls,” she said. “The bricks and mortar is only part of what Westbrook Housing does. We care about the people that live in our communities.”

Dick Begin, Westbrook Housing’s senior program officer, said this week that seeing Eldridge go will be “surreal,” especially as the two have worked together since Eldridge hired Begin in 1982. He said that losing Eldridge will put a hole in the organization’s ability to advocate for their residents’ well-being.

“The housing world, due to finances and budget restrictions, is becoming more business oriented, which has made it harder for us to continue our mission of service,” he said.

John Gallagher, executive director of the Maine State Housing Authority, worked with Eldridge for 13 years while serving as director of Westbrook Housing, and called Eldridge “one of the most caring and endearing people I’ve had the pleasure of working with.”

“In the 13 years we worked together, her support, counsel and friendship were invaluable to me and to the Housing Authority,” he said. “After dedicating 37 years of service to the agency, Susan deserves to enjoy her retirement and the gratitude of everyone connected to Westbrook Housing.”

During her years as a liaison between the organization and its properties, Eldridge saw first hand the needs of the residents, and became close with many people.

“I was involved with resident councils for a long, long time,” she said, adding that lately, in more of an administrative role, she has made a point of taking walks to chat with seniors in the buildings.

Eldridge, who lives in Buxton, grew up in the Prides Corner neighborhood of Westbrook, and said she’s also seen many changes in the city of Westbrook itself. Earlier in 2014, Eldridge was married to her partner of two years, and is also now the co-parent of a 12-year-old son.

She said Monday that she began thinking about retirement after dealing with the difficult deaths of some friends and senior residents who were seemingly healthy.

“I just said, I think it’s time to get out there and enjoy what I can enjoy,” she said, adding that another factor was reaching 62, and technically qualifying for Westbrook Housing’s senior facilities.

Eldridge plans to spend more time outdoors, playing golf and other activities, but also said she would like to bring her cats, which she calls her “girls,” to Westbrook Housing’s senior facilities to spend time with the residents.

“Susan was the person each resident went to, she was their advocate, social worker and the rock that made sure every resident was treated with 100 percent respect and dignity by all Westbrook Housing staff,” Begin said. “Seeing Susan go will obviously be sad. However, I am very happy for her that she will now have more time to spend with her family and friends. We will have big shoes to fill.”

Chris LaRoche, executive director of Westbrook Housing, said Tuesday that he’s happy for Eldridge, following “a lifetime of dedication” to the organization and the citizens of Westbrook.

“She’s part of the culture and identity of Westbrook Housing,” he said. “The effects of her work will be seen for decades to come.”

The retirement celebration on July 11 will take place at the Presumpscot Commons community center, with a noontime party and cookout. City officials will be on hand, including Mayor Colleen Hilton.

When asked to share some memorable stories from her time at Westbrook Housing, Eldridge spoke of a male resident at Riverview Terrace, whom she referred to as a “real character.”

She described that she had observed him picking a lock in the building, whereupon Eldridge asked where his key was.

“He said, ‘My key is in my pocket, but it’s much more fun to get the ladies chatting about things,’” she said. “It’s that human side of it that over the years has really got to my heart.”

Susan Eldridge, right, Westbrook Housing’s deputy director, on a golf cart with Dot Petty during the organization’s golf tournament fundraiser. Eldridge plans to spend more time playing golf when she retires next week after 37 years with the organization.