Sen. Daughtry introduces bill to fund new affordable housing projects

AUGUSTA – On Tuesday, Sen. Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, introduced a bill to fund the construction of new affordable housing. LD 1074, “An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Fund New Affordable Housing for Low-income Households,” was the subject of a public hearing before the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.

“In Maine, we are facing a housing crisis, and it’s not going away. Supply has not kept up with demand, and current production is insufficient,” said Sen. Daughtry. “Without affordable housing, businesses – like my own – struggle to attract and retain employees. It’s clear that Maine needs more affordable housing to accommodate our state’s workforce needs, young people and older Mainers. If we don’t act now, then these needs will only grow in the decades to come.”

LD 1074 would provide $100 million to build new affordable housing for households with lower incomes through the construction of new structures and the adaptive renovation of existing structures.

On average, Maine builds 250 units of housing annually. In order to keep up with demand, Maine would need to build 1,000 units of housing per year. Statewide, there are currently 25,000 Mainers on affordable housing waitlists. In 2022, 16,300 people moved to Maine. That same year, 6,800 building permits were awarded.

“For a majority of Mainers who rent or are looking for a new home, keeping a roof over their head has consistently become more challenging over time,” said Josie Phillips of the Maine Center for Economic Policy, in written testimony in support of the bill. “Across the state, the lack of affordable housing is hurting the economy. The state economist has acknowledged it as one of the most significant challenges facing Maine’s economy, particularly in relation to the difficulty it adds to attracting working age adults [to] the state.”

The bill faces further action in committee.

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