New slate of bills will make housing more affordable for Mainers

Maine is facing an affordable housing crisis. With some of the oldest housing stock in the United States, homeowners can face crippling energy and maintenance costs.

Renters don’t have it any easier. There is a shortage of rental homes and apartments that are affordable for many middle-to-low income households. According to the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition, one in five renters pay more than half their income toward their rent.

State legislators are coming together with a slate of bills to help solve this crisis. These pieces of legislation will:

• Establish commissions to review barriers to producing more affordable housing in Maine, and to study best ways to meet the affordable needs in our communities, respectively.

• Create a general fund bond that would go directly towards building affordable and energy efficient housing for low income families.

• Create a general fund bond to promote the building of energy efficient and affordable homes, as well as repair and weatherize existing homes for low-income seniors

• Prohibit evictions for up to three months after the end of Gov. Mills’ state of emergency

Affordable housing is paramount when it comes to ensuring the continued health of our communities. And with so many families having lost income in the last year due to the pandemic, we must do everything we can to ensure everyone has a roof over their heads that is both safe and affordable.

Leadership In Action: Rep. Grayson Lookner fighting to protect Mainers from eviction

This has been one of the hardest years in recent memory. Our leaders stepped up to the plate to protect Mainers, to ensure that working families stayed afloat. One of the ways Gov. Mills ensured Mainers stayed safe and healthy is by putting a moratorium on evictions.

However, the moratorium is set to run out at the end of the month, and many Mainers are still struggling. Stimulus checks have only just started to be sent, and Maine’s rental relief program only re-opened on March 1st.

That’s why we’re grateful for Rep. Grayson Lookner, who is fighting to expand the eviction moratorium!

Rep. Lookner’s bill would prevent any evictions until 90 days after the expiration of the public health emergency declared by Gov. Mills. This would ensure that, as long as the state of Maine is under a public health emergency, no Mainer will be forced out of their home.

We can’t afford to risk families losing their homes just as we’re starting to heal. This bill will give Mainers the time to get back on their feet while remaining safe and secure in their homes. Thank you, Rep. Lookner, for your leadership!

Speaker Fecteau Champions Career and Technical Education Centers in New Legislation

Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau introduced legislation on Wednesday to invest in Maine’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center infrastructure. LD 144, “An Act To Fund Capital Improvements to Career and Technical Education Centers and Regions To Bolster Maine's Future Workforce," is designed to upgrade facilities in Maine’s 28 CTE schools, also known as vocational schools, which train students for careers in welding, nursing, computer programming, heating and cooling systems, building trades, early childhood education, automotive technology, and culinary arts. The bill would provide Maine CTE schools with up to $20,000,000 in state funding for needed improvements to equip Maine’s workforce with the tools they need to learn.

In a press release, Speaker Fecteau explained his support for the legislation:

“In Maine, we have the schools, the dedicated educators and driven students. But, in order to meet the needs of our students and our economy, we need to ensure the equipment and infrastructure at these locations are maintained, repaired and replaced. If we want the next generation of Mainers in the trades to have access to good-paying jobs that we know there will be need for, we need to invest in equipment and capital improvements today.

“Many of the careers that our CTEs specialize in provide good-paying jobs to working people. Welders, HVAC installers, machinists, and licensed practical nurses all have median incomes over $40,000. This investment in our CTE system is not merely an investment in equipment, it will serve as a catalyst for economic activity.”

Mainers for Working Families applauds Speaker Fecteau’s leadership. Providing for Maine’s working families starts with guaranteeing access to quality career and technical education, opening the door to well-paying jobs, and meeting our state’s need for a skilled workforce. When our workers have the knowledge and tools they need to succeed, all Mainers benefit.