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.
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.