Faced with a vexing housing crisis, Mainers are finding ways to build homes in abandoned and undeveloped spaces. But costs, public opposition and an uncertain economy are impeding progress.
affordable housing
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News, Politics
Maine lawmakers give mobile homeowners a leg up in park purchases
Legislators passed a bill to give mobile homeowners the ‘right of first refusal’ when their parks go up for sale.
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Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
More money could be headed to help Maine mobile home residents
Lawmakers supported a bill to add $3 million to a fund to help residents purchase their mobile home parks. But its fate hinges on whether it makes it into the budget.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
MaineHousing programs to add hundreds of homes, but the money is running out
MaineHousing has in the last month announced more than $30 million in funding to boost construction of single-family homes and apartments.
Posted inMaine, News
Maine housing advocates warn of coming ‘tsunami’ of USDA foreclosures on rural homes
The Department of Agriculture says it’s clearing a backlog of 400 foreclosures and more than 800 delinquencies left by the Biden administration. But local housing advocates say the crisis was years in the making and that the USDA has always been slow to act when its borrowers default.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Maine lawmakers still betting on accessory dwelling units to help end housing crisis
Following the passage of a landmark law in 2022, a bill seeks to further encourage the construction of small housing units also known as in-law suites.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Maine takes first step toward more accurately tracking efforts to resolve housing crisis
A bill to require Maine cities and towns to report annual home construction data is headed for the House — but without bipartisan support or a mandate that all municipalities participate.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, News
Legislation could create starter home program modeled after Lewiston project
Amy Smith, executive director of Healthy Homeworks, said a state program could close the financing gap for renovating aging housing stock for first-time homebuyers.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Maine lawmakers consider raising taxes on home sales over $1M
A bill would increase the real estate transfer tax on some of the state’s most expensive properties to fund affordable housing initiatives. But it would also give some tax relief to first-time home buyers.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Mobile homeowners back bill to help them fight sales to investors
Maine lawmakers are weighing several bills designed to protect mobile homeowners, including one that would give residents the right of first refusal if their park comes up for sale.