Bill signing at Hodgkins School Apartments
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AUGUSTA, ME - APRIL 27: While her dog Bailee (CQ) watches, Hodgkins School Apartments resident Rosemary, who didn’t give her last name, center, poses for a photo with Gov. Janet Mills and other visitors while showing them her apartment Wednesday April 27, 2022 in Augusta.
Gov. Mills signed these bills, LD 2003 “An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions" and LD 201 “An Act To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Promote Weatherization in the Buildings Sector by Extending the Sunset Date for the Historic Property Rehabilitation Tax Credit” will expand the availability of affordable housing in Maine. The bills were signed alongside older Maine people who are residents of the renovated Hodgkins School Apartments, and Legislative and community leaders including Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford) and Senator Matt Pouliot (R-Augusta). In addition to signing LD 2003, Governor Mills also signed LD 201 “An Act To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Promote Weatherization in the Buildings Sector by Extending the Sunset Date for the Historic Property Rehabilitation Tax Credit, ” sponsored by Senator Nate Libby (D-Androscoggin) and Co-sponsored by Senator Pouliot.
LD 201 extends the sunset date for the Maine Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit, (MHRTC) from 2025 to 2030. MHRTC helped finance the rehabilitation of Hodgkins School into 47 apartments for Maine people age 55 and older.
“The goal of ensuring that Maine people have a safe place to rest their head at night, a place where they can take care of their family, get ready for work and live with dignity and comfort is at the heart of my Administration,” said Governor Mills. “I am proud to sign these bills into law and to continue the progress we have made addressing Maine’s housing shortage.
“States all over the country are struggling with housing shortages, and Maine is no exception. Today we are taking action in an entirely new way to grow our housing supply to meet demand. We’re seeing rising home and rent costs impacting families from Aroostook County on down. I believe that with this legislation, Maine will be on the forefront on solving this crisis,” said Speaker Ryan Fecteau, the bill sponsor of LD 2003.
"As a realtor, one of the most heartbreaking things to see the past couple of years has been potential homeowners at the mercy of the housing market and being sidelined. Unprecedented demand and a lack of supply has driven up housing prices to the point where it has left a certain segment of our most vulnerable population behind," said Sen. Matt Pouliot, R-Kennebec. "If you’re in the bubble where you’re a first-time homebuyer or can only afford housing up to a certain dollar amount, you can’t find not only what you want but just even what you need to simply survive. And for some, it is a matter of survival - housing and shelter in general are at the core of our most basic needs, not much different than food and water."
“I was married for 52 years and had a home in Windham. I was very fortunate, my husband and I did a lot, we had a home and a boat and everything was really good. I lost my husband four years ago and what happened to me and what happens to a lot of widows is that your income is cut in half. I still made too much money for low-income housing but I didn’t make enough for the higher income rents. I moved to an apartment in South Portland but had to pay $1400 a month and was having to take money out of savings each month just to pay the rent and my expenses. They call it a black hole, when you are retired and have such a limited income. It’s tough. My son found this place and helped me apply. I am so grateful for this apartment. I am considered mid-income so it’s hard, I guess it’s quite common that this is a problem for people who lose their spouses.” said Rosemary, who lives at Hodgkins School Apartments.
(Staff photo by Joe Phelan/Staff Photographer)
