One group says it was told its rent-stabilization initiative would go to a vote in November, but city officials would not confirm it.
Randy Billings
Staff Writer
Randy Billings is a government watchdog and political reporter who has been the State House bureau chief since 2021. He was named the Maine Press Association’s Journalist of the Year in 2020. He joined the Press Herald in 2012 as the Portland City Hall reporter, where his beat touched on a wide range of topics, including municipal government, immigration, homelessness, housing and social services. Prior to that, he worked at various weeklies as well as business and arts publications. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine, Orono. He lives in North Yarmouth with his wife and two children and enjoys the outdoors and playing his upright bass.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Developer aims to address need for affordable housing with new apartments in Parkside
Avesta Housing’s $10 million Deering Place would be available to residents with incomes of $20,000 to $40,000, a response to affordability concerns in Portland’s red hot real estate market.
advertisement
Posted inLocal & State, News
Error by City Clerk’s Office will keep 2 housing initiatives off Portland’s November ballot
Officials didn’t allow enough time for a public hearing 90 days before the election, so votes on rent control and zoning changes can’t occur on Nov. 7, angering activists.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Housing activists get enough signatures to prompt vote on limiting Portland rent increases
Fair Rent Portland will announce Monday that it has more than enough signatures to get its rent stabilization proposal on the November ballot.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland woman living in condemned building died of heart attack, medical examiner says
‘Maggie’ Peters, who had struggled with homelessness, was forced to live in shabby conditions after being evicted from her previous apartment so it could be renovated to allow higher rents.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Councilors to Mayor Strimling: ‘You need to get it together’
Portland councilors’ effort to ease tension between the mayor and City Manager Jon Jennings makes little progress, and Jennings says he’ll resign if he has to give the mayor free access to city staffers.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Wharf Street’s days as bar scene epicenter may be numbered
As the cobblestone former back alley continues to evolve, upscale bars and restaurants are replacing nightclubs and taverns.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland mayor wants to require more affordable housing
Mayor Ethan Strimling’s proposal would double the required number of units affordable to middle-income earners in some new developments and lower the prices on those units.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Evicted without cause and forced to live in shabby room, Portland woman dies alone
Margaret Peters, who was 56, couldn’t find an affordable apartment in the city and ended up in a condemned building that she was desperate to leave.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland seeks donations for program that puts panhandlers to work
Public contributions are needed to further the effort, which pays $10.68 an hour for cleaning up parks and public spaces.