Senate votes in favor of Vitelli bill to improve sustainable housing options for Maine families

AUGUSTA — On Tuesday, the Maine Senate voted in favor of a bill from Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, that would improve affordable housing options for working families in Maine. LD 1240, “Resolve, To Establish a Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Land Use Regulations and Short-term Rentals,” received an initial party line vote of 20-12.

“Across Maine and the nation, spiking prices are pushing both low- and middle-income people out of the housing market. Even those with stable, good-paying jobs are having difficulty finding housing. Complicating that matter is an increase of houses being bought to use as short-term rentals. If we’re going to address this problem, we need a clear picture of how it’s impacting Mainers and our economy,” said Sen. Vitelli. “I’m grateful to my colleagues in the Senate for their support on this bill, and am hopeful for the productive changes it will create.”

As amended, LD 1240 would establish the Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Land Use Regulations and Short-term Rentals, which would review data on housing shortages in Maine for low-income and middle-income households and data on the conversion of housing units to short-term rentals. The 16-member commission would review state laws that affect the local regulation of land use and short-term rentals and consider whether they fulfill goals in state statute, including the promotion of affordable housing, increased job opportunities, and the protection of the state’s critical natural resources. The commission is tasked with submitting a report on its findings, including suggestions for legislation, by Nov. 2, 2022.

“As a supporter of and participant in the work of the Maine Climate Council, we also strongly endorse efforts to make future housing investments compatible with its recommendations,” said Greg Payne, director of the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition, in testimony supporting the bill. “Since residential buildings are responsible for such a large share of our state’s carbon emissions, our new construction, adaptive reuse, rehabilitation and weatherization activities must be undertaken with climate impact in mind.”

LD 1240 faces further votes in the Legislature.