affordable housing

USDA Rural Housing Service Administrator Joaquin Altoro, who visited Maine this week, acknowledged federal and state officials must develop better ways for businesses to cope with housing and workforce challenges.

It's unclear exactly how many short-term rentals are in Maine, but some panel members say they believe a growing number of them are taking housing options off the market for full-time residents.

Western Maine Community Action has received a nearly $7 million federal grant to convert motels into affordable housing and shelter space in Farmington.

Last month the Maine State Housing Authority placed new eligibility limits on rental assistance funds. Under the new rules, benefits will be reduced from 18 months to 12, and that has some recipients scrambling to adjust their plans.

Maine has a shortage of at least 20,000 affordable homes. But traditional building is expensive, time-consuming and a major contributor of carbon emissions. The University of Maine believes it has a solution that could eventually help.

City planners see boarding homes as one of many tools that could alleviate Bangor's affordable housing crisis.

The bill, introduced by Sen. Angus King and cosponsored by Sen. Susan Collins, would authorize the transfer of land from Acadia National Park to Bar Harbor for the purposes of developing affordable housing.

The bill would allow property owners to build an additional living space onto existing homes or other structures. Property owners can build two "accessory dwelling units" in areas zoned for single-family housing or up to four units in larger communities with designated growth areas.

Nearly a dozen Cumberland County projects and nonprofits will share $7 million in American Rescue Plan Funding. The money will be used to create more affordable housing, provide food security, childcare and mental health services.

A bill sponsored by Democratic House Speaker Ryan Fecteau aims to chip away at Maine's affordable housing problem. While the proposal has won some bipartisan support, it's also raised concerns that it will erode the ability of municipalities to make their own housing rules.