PORTLAND (WGME) — The need for more housing is a crisis that’s only become worse during the pandemic.
Maine officials are now looking to cut the red tape that can hold back housing projects.
A new state report released on Tuesday is calling for changes to zoning and land use restrictions.
A group of lawmakers, housing advocates, and others have been meeting since August to develop the 263-page report. The commission came up with nine recommendations to address the housing crisis.
“This is the issue of our time,” said Sen. Craig Hickman – (D) Winthrop.
State Senator Hickman says the recommendations could ensure that all Mainers have safe and affordable housing.
“No matter their background, where they live, we want them left out intentionally, we don’t want them left out unintentionally,” Hickman said.
One of the biggest suggestions to get rid of single-family zoning and allow up to four housing units on a property instead of one.
“That would move our state forward in a significant way toward greater density, and having more housing stock available,” said Rep. Ryan Fecteau – (D) Biddeford.
Another part of the recommendations is adding state-level oversight of affordable housing projects that are denied at a local level.
State Senator Hickman says this still respects local authority.
“While also respecting the state’s power and obligation to ensure that all of its people are housed appropriately,” Hickman said.
There is plenty of demand for it. The nonprofit Avesta Housing is seeing a record number of first-time buyers, immigrants, seniors, and the homeless seeking options.
“A key response to that is to create more housing,” said Dana Totman, the president of Avesta housing.
Totman was part of the commission. He thinks their final list will go a long way, but it’s only part of the puzzle.
“We need other investments in affordable housing and we’re going to need a lot of folks working on this all at once,” Totman said.
These recommendations can now turn into actions at the state house. The legislative session begins next Wednesday.
