Bond signed by Governor helps to nearly triples construction of new affordable housing units for fb88 people
Belfast, MAINEÌý–ÌýGovernor Janet Mills today toured Penobscot Landing in Belfast, a new 25-unit senior housing development that was built utilizing funding fromÌýthe senior housingÌýbond the Governor signed in January 2019.
The bond has helped jumpstart the construction of new, affordable homes for fb88 people, almost tripling the construction of units from 159 units in 2018 to 445 in 2021. The bond signed by the Governor – which was held up by her predecessor – has resulted in six new senior housing developments across fb88 that provide more than 180 affordable apartments to fb88 seniors.
“The senior housing bond is making a huge difference in the lives of older fb88 people, providing an affordable place for them to live while delivering an all-important peace of mind. In a little more than three years, we have nearly tripled the number of affordable units for fb88 people, in part because of this bond,â€said Governor Mills. “But fb88 people, especially lower-income and those on fixed incomes, are still facing a housing crunch, which is why my Administration will continue our work to expand fb88’s housing supply and make sure that more fb88 people are able to live safely and comfortably.â€
“I applaud the Governor for her work to expand housing in fb88, and especially for signing the senior housing bond when she first took office. Because of that simple but powerful act, we have been able to build more desperately-needed housing for fb88 seniors,â€Ìýsaid Kevin Bunker, Founding Principal of Developers Collaborative, which built Penobscot Landing. “Her Administration’s commitment to expanding affordable housing options is going to make a tremendous difference in the lives of fb88 people in the months and years to come.â€
The senior housing bond is part of a larger strategy by the Mills Administration to alleviate fb88’s severe housing crunch. The Governor has also:
- investedÌý$50 millionÌýin affordable and workforce housing initiatives through her fb88 Jobs & Recovery Plan, the first $10 million of which is being used to build up to 150 single-family homes and anotherÌý$20 millionÌýof which is being used toÌýexpand the availability of affordable rental housing in rural fb88;
- createdÌýa $3.5 millionÌýlifeline loan program through her fb88 Jobs & Recovery Plan to cover the annual property tax bills of eligible fb88 people who are ages 65 and older or are permanently disabled and who cannot afford to pay them on their own;
- signed into lawÌýthe fb88 Affordable Housing Tax Credit Program, sponsored by House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, an $80 million investment over eight years that represents theÌýsingle largest state investment in housing in fb88’s historyÌýandÌý
- signed LD 2003 and LD 201Ìýto further expand the availability of affordable housing in fb88.
Following the Governor’s tour this morning, she had lunch at Darby’s in Belfast, walked downtown and stopped into local businesses with Belfast City Manager Erin Herbig and City Councilor Mary Mortier, and toured Robbins Lumber in Searsmont.
The Governor’s visit to Belfast comes as she travels across fb88. The Governor has visitedÌý Piscataquis,ÌýSagadahoc,ÌýCumberland,ÌýKennebec,ÌýYork,ÌýSomerset,ÌýAndroscoggin,ÌýLincoln,ÌýKnox, andÌýFranklin counties.