Housing (Community Development)

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 2230: An Act To Invest In The Construction Of Industrialized Housing

Maine LD 2230 expands the state's Housing Opportunity Program to explicitly support industrialized housing and defines income tiers for affordability purposes. The bill creates a new Industrialized Housing Incentive Program that provides grants or loans of $1,500 to $6,000 per unit to manufacturers of modular, panelized, or innovative housing systems operating in the state. Additionally, it requires the Department of Economic and Community Development to launch a public-private partnership for technical support and workforce training, as well as a competitive pilot program offering financial awards for efficient multifamily construction projects.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds industrialized housing construction and expands the Housing Opportunity Program to support affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development

Track

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 2164: An Act To Assist Communities With Converting Vacant School Buildings Into Housing

This bill creates a new program within the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority to help municipalities convert closed, vacant school buildings into residential housing. The program offers technical and financial assistance to communities that apply, including support for environmental cleanup, zoning navigation, and development planning. A dedicated fund will be established to finance feasibility studies, property improvements, and subsidies for affordable housing units, with an initial appropriation of $5 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year. Participating municipalities must agree to include a specific percentage of affordable housing in their conversions, as determined through a memorandum of understanding. The redevelopment authority will submit annual reports to the legislature detailing the program's progress and impact on housing supply and local economies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a dedicated fund and provides financial assistance for converting vacant school buildings into housing, advancing fiscal management and community development through targeted government funding.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates funding program to convert vacant school buildings into housing, directly advancing affordable housing development and utilizing underused properties for residential use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development

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signed · Maine · Senate Mar 9, 2026

LD 1995: An Act To Require The Maine Office Of Community Affairs To Establish A Technical Assistance Materials Hub

LD 1995 requires the Maine Office of Community Affairs to create and maintain a technical assistance materials hub on its publicly accessible website. The bill directs the office to compile and host resources that help communities and organizations navigate housing and economic development programs. This hub will directly serve Maine residents, local governments, and nonprofit groups seeking guidance on community development initiatives. The bill focuses on improving access to existing support materials rather than creating new programs or funding.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes technical assistance hub for housing/economic development resources, improving access to existing programs and aiding community housing initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development

signed · Maine · House Jan 11, 2026

LD 1500: An Act To Establish The Maine Community Development Financial Institution Fund To Support Small Businesses, Rural Economic Development And Affordable Housing

LD 1500 establishes the Maine Community Development Financial Institution Fund within the Department of Economic and Community Development to provide grants and loans to certified community development financial institutions (CDFIs). The fund, initially capitalized with $500,000 from the General Fund's unappropriated surplus, will support small businesses, rural economic development, and affordable housing projects in underserved communities as defined by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. CDFIs receiving funds must deploy them as loans, grants, or forgivable loans to underserved communities within Maine. The Department of Economic and Community Development will administer the program and provide biannual reports to the Legislature on fund usage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $500K from unappropriated surplus to fund CDFIs for small business/rural development, directly advancing budgeted economic programs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExplicitly establishes fund to provide grants/loans for affordable housing projects via CDFIs, directly listed in bill title and summary as a core purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development

signed · Maine · House May 27, 2025

LD 945: An Act To Amend The Laws Governing The Powers And Responsibilities Of The Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority

This bill amends Maine's laws governing the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority, expanding its ability to acquire properties and form partnerships. It revises the definition of eligible properties to include abandoned, blighted, functionally obsolete, environmentally hazardous, and municipality-requested properties. The bill removes the requirement for the Authority to secure agreements with public entities before acquiring property, adds authority to partner with federal agencies for funding, and allows agreements with private parties (requiring municipal or Maine Land Use Planning Commission consent for property acquisition). These changes streamline the Authority's operations and broaden its partnership options for redevelopment efforts.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands land bank's property acquisition for blighted/redeveloped areas, facilitating affordable housing development through streamlined processes and federal partnerships.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Land Use

failed · Maine · House May 13, 2025

LD 1465: An Act To Create The Office Of Workforce Advancement Within The Department Of Economic And Community Development And Establish Statewide Workforce Advancement Goals

LD 1465 creates the Office of Workforce Advancement within Maine's Department of Economic and Community Development. The office will reduce barriers to workforce participation - including healthcare, housing, childcare, education, and training - and increase investment in workforce development. It requires the department to establish statewide workforce advancement goals in coordination with the Department of Labor and other stakeholders. The bill directly affects state agencies, workers, and employers by structuring a new state-level effort to grow Maine's workforce and economy.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingHousing explicitly listed as a barrier to reduce in workforce advancement goals, directly addressing housing access as part of workforce participation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates Office of Workforce Advancement to reduce barriers (healthcare, childcare, training) and increase investment in workforce development, directly advancing labor & employment goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development Workforce Development

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failed · Maine · House Apr 30, 2025

LD 1569: Resolve, To Direct The Department Of Economic And Community Development To Form A Stakeholder Group To Analyze And Improve Home Repair Funding Programs In The State

LD 1569 directs Maine's Department of Economic and Community Development to form a stakeholder group to analyze and improve home repair funding programs. The group will review current programs, identify gaps in funding and access - particularly for low-income, elderly, and rural homeowners - and propose strategies to make repairs more accessible and effective. It will hold public hearings, analyze data on program outcomes, and explore innovative funding approaches like public-private partnerships. The group must submit a report with recommendations to the legislature by December 3, 2025, which could lead to future legislative changes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directs stakeholder group to improve home repair funding programs, specifically targeting gaps for low-income, elderly, and rural homeowners to increase accessibility and effectiveness of housing repairs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development

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signed · Maine · House Apr 16, 2026

LD 1106: An Act To Provide Funds For The Redevelopment Of The Island Nursing Home In Hancock County Into Affordable Senior Housing

LD 1106 allocates $250,000 from the General Fund to convert the Island Nursing Home in Hancock County into 24 affordable apartments for seniors. This directly benefits seniors in Hancock County facing housing shortages, as the facility has closed and the project aims to address this critical need. The bill requires the Maine State Housing Authority to submit a detailed report within six months of funding, covering how the money was spent, project progress, and future funding needs. It is a one-time funding measure for the renovation, with the total project estimated to cost $1.2-1.5 million. The bill is designated as an emergency to expedite the project.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $250k from General Fund for senior housing project, directly funding public service via state budget. Aligns with 'funds essential programs' indicator.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $250k to convert nursing home into 24 affordable senior apartments, directly funding housing development and addressing shortages.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development

signed · Maine · House Jun 11, 2025

LD 1170: An Act To Make The Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority Responsible For The Transfer And Development Of State-Owned Surplus Land

LD 1170 transfers responsibility for managing and developing state-owned surplus land from individual state agencies to the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority. It requires state agencies to consult with the Land Bank before selling surplus land and gives the Land Bank the first right to purchase such property. The Land Bank can then develop this land for affordable housing projects targeting low- and moderate-income households, prioritizing offers to local public housing authorities in communities with existing programs. This change aims to streamline the use of surplus state land for housing development rather than general sales.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingTransfers state surplus land to Land Bank for affordable housing development targeting low/moderate-income households, prioritizing public housing authorities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development

signed · Maine · Senate Jun 10, 2025

LD 1375: Resolve, To Establish A Working Group To Address Regulatory Barriers To Housing Construction

LD 1375 is a procedural resolution directing Maine's Department of Economic and Community Development to form a working group focused on identifying and addressing regulatory barriers to housing construction. The working group, administered by the Housing Opportunity Program, must include building and engineering experts and examine current regulations hindering housing development. It is required to submit a report with findings and recommendations - including potential legislation - to the Housing and Economic Development committee by December 31, 2025. The resolution itself does not change laws but creates a process for studying housing barriers and informing future legislative action.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes working group to identify regulatory barriers hindering housing construction, directly advancing housing development through regulatory reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Community Development Property Development