The city of Auburn will use $8 million in congressionally directed spending to expand the city’s housing and economic development infrastructure, according to city officials and a press release Wednesday from U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.

The funding is part of roughly $24.7 million earmarked for housing infrastructure projects in Maine within the 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill recently signed into law.

Auburn plans to use the money on water and sewer lines and sidewalk infrastructure in south Auburn, including South Main, Vickery, Mill and Broad streets, according to Eric Cousens, executive director of Public Services in Auburn.

“Auburn is a great place to live, and extending infrastructure allows us to offer Auburn, as a great place to live, to more people,” he said.

He went on to say, “Without the support of Senator Collins, we would not have this opportunity or the other recent CDS funded projects, including the Auburn PAL Center, The Riverwalk Trail extension and significant safety and mobility improvements for the Route 4 Corridor.”

Auburn has approved a number of new housing projects, most of which are at market rate, in the last half-decade, adding hundreds of units to a city that needs 1,300 housing units by 2030.

The agency that administers the funds will reach out to Auburn officials to initiate a grant agreement in the coming months before funds will be issued, according to Blake Kernen, who works in Collins’ office.

In her news release announcing the funding, Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said, “Maine’s housing shortage continues to make it harder for many people in our state to find a safe and affordable place to live. This funding will improve the quality and safety of affordable and emergency housing for families, seniors, and workers throughout Maine. … I worked hard to secure this critical funding, which will help address one of the most pressing needs in our state.”