After renting in Portland for years, my wife and I signed onto a 30-year mortgage for a house in central Maine. By some measures, we were late getting around to it, but we acted soon enough to avoid the skyrocketing housing costs of the last decade. A USDA guaranteed loan made it possible. We needed that, even 15 years ago. As it is for so many others, today’s so-called affordable houses and rentals are beyond the reach of our income.

Almost a third of Maine’s population is poor or low income. Extremely low-income households face the biggest risks of housing insecurity. Among this group, 52% pay more than half their monthly income on rent. The gap between rent and income is unsustainable but it can be bridged. Rent relief proposals in the HOME Act (L.D. 1710) would make a significant difference by reducing the years-long waitlist for vouchers, thereby helping secure stable homes for those at or below 30% of the Area Median Income (in 2023, a family of three earning $20,466 to $31,941 a year) without Section 8.

Everyone needs safe and affordable housing, homeowners, and renters alike. But for thousands of households in Maine, affordable housing is just not available. People need rent relief now to avoid eviction, hardship, and homelessness.

L.D. 1710 is the only bill currently before the Legislature that would provide ongoing help for very low-income renters, affording them real housing security. Please ask your legislator to back this essential bill.

 

Christopher McKinnon

Augusta

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