Sens. Vitelli, Daughtry convene group to address housing shortage in the Midcoast
AUGUSTA – On Wednesday, Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, and Sen. Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, convened a group of employers, town officials, employee representatives and housing experts to address the housing shortage in Bath, Brunswick, Topsham, Freeport and surrounding towns. The area’s housing shortage is impacting employers’ ability to fill open positions, making it difficult for people to make the Midcoast their home, and is hampering economic growth and community development in the region.
“The lack of housing in our area is a growing crisis that’s impacting all of us, from employers, to working families, patients in our hospitals and so many more,” said Sen. Vitelli. “When Midcoast Hospital can’t fill nursing jobs, small businesses can’t find new talent, and families can’t settle down in our towns, all because those folks can’t find a place to live in our community, we all suffer. The only way to address this complicated challenge is to bring all stakeholders to the table and think creatively about how we can work together to find solutions.”
“Housing is inextricably linked to economic growth,” said Sen. Daughtry. “Without a home, we’re unable to find work, make life transitions, focus on school and more. Here in the Midcoast, we have a dire housing shortage. Our employers want to attract qualified workers but can’t guarantee that they’ll have a place to live. We need to bring our community together to find ways to expand our region’s housing market and ensure that folks can afford to live and work in our area. I’m excited to continue working on this issue, and create solutions that work for all of us.”
“I was heartened to be in a meeting with representatives from the business sector, municipalities and housing organizations – all recognizing the common benefits of increasing the range of housing options in the Midcoast region,” said Deb Keller, executive director of Bath Housing. “Historically, we’ve tackled these issues community by community. But with this group, there was palpable excitement to be approaching housing issues as a region and looking at policy, planning and production best practices.”
The group participating in Wednesday’s discussion included representatives from some of the region’s largest employers and employee organizations, representatives from MaineHousing and local housing organizations, and municipal officials. The group plans to meet on a recurring basis in the coming months to identify short-term and long-term solutions to the housing shortage, including changes to zoning restrictions and land use codes, partnerships with private developers, transportation planning, strategic investment of federal funds and more.