From new housing developments, rent control news, election updates, and more - the RHA wants to keep our members informed of the latest local headlines. Read up on the latest headlines & news articles from the past week below and stay tuned for weekly recaps every Friday.
October 27: Commentary: Portland ballot question on rent control unfairly crafted
Jim Cloutier, a former city councilor, mayor, and housing committee member from Portland, skillfully examines the extremely troubling reality of the DSA’s “rent control” proposal, Question C, explaining how the radical measure “treats similarly situated people and essentially identical properties vastly differently.
Read the full opinion piece here.
October 27: Bangor approves tiny home communities with new city ordinance
Following a Bangor City Council meeting to discuss tiny home developments, Bangor has now officially approved the ordinance this week. “Rents could be as low as $600 for people with assistance or as much as $1,500 for people without assistance,” according to real estate developer Louie Morrison.
Read the full article here.
October 27: MaineHousing: No new U.S. Treasury funds for Emergency Rental Assistance Program
NewsCenter Maine provided an update on MaineHousing’s funding this week, citing that the Maine State Housing Authority does not expect to receive any additional federal funding. Back in September, MaineHousing stopped accepting new applications due to lack of funding. MaineHousing estimates that the current funding will run out by the end of next month.
Read the full article here.
October 27: Maine's tallest building is taking shape
In downtown Portland, Redfern Properties and Landry French Construction held a topping off ceremony to place the final steel beam at a new 18-floor apartment building. The 190 foot tall building is set to become Maine’s tallest building to date. The building will include 263 apartment units, including 27 workforce units. Dan Brennan, Director of MaineHousing, stated: “all development is "good development" as our state is still in a housing crisis.”
Read the full article here.