Thank you for publishing thoughtful and thorough articles on the challenges we face around housing development in Maine. I have watched with dismay as reasonable low- and middle-income housing projects have been rejected in Portland, Cape Elizabeth and Cumberland.

I appreciate that the newspaper offered the information about a similar situation in Saco. This developer was planning a community, for those who desperately need it. It sounds like it checked all the boxes for what we know to be responsible growth, including walkable shopping. I hope that we, as a community, can work toward compromise in this matter. It seems that responsible building practices for middle-income families and seniors should be a priority — especially in municipal areas. There are so many benefits to this. It contains sprawl, adds to the tax base and brings energy and vitality to an area.

Worried about traffic? Maybe it is time to put effort into enhancing public transit options. Worried about loss of natural areas? Keep our population growth within city limits.

I have just watched as my son has struggled to find reasonably priced housing in the Portland area. He and his young family have finally settled 45 minutes away from their jobs in Portland in what is still an expensive purchase.

I urge citizens and planners to come together for compromise and understanding in order to grow a stronger, more sustainable community.

Welcome to Maine, the way life should be. Life for who? All of us or just some of us?

Tiki Fuhro
Portland