By Staff
The Maine Legislature s Labor and Housing Committee has endorsed a bill that would provide $100 million over two years to building energy-efficient affordable housing.
The bill, LD 1656, is not only aimed at filling the affordable housing gap, but also addresses the state s skilled labor shortage, the quality of rental housing for low-income Mainers and the state s climate change goals.
The money would go to MaineHousing, the state s housing authority, which would work with developers to create multifamily housing that would be required to include 55% to 60% as set-rate apartments, with the rest being market-rate.
State Rep. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, is sponsor. At its May 10 public hearing the bill was supported by people from the the construction and building industries, as well as renters, people who have been homeless and housing advocates. The committee backed the bill by a vote of 8-4.