AUGUSTA - Last week, Rep. Valli Geiger, D-Rockland, moderated a housing panel at the Council of State Governments' annual Eastern Regional Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.
The panel, entitled Climate-friendly Conversions and Sustainable Housing Development, addressed the dual housing and climate crises, focusing on concerns that stricter environmental requirements for new construction or conversions might drive up housing costs and further complicate building codes. Panelists also discussed the feasibility of commercial to residential conversions and the effort to revitalize downtowns impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Like Maine, most states are in a housing crisis," said Geiger. "This conference was such a great opportunity to learn from other states and hear new thinking on how to reverse the lack of affordable housing for Maine's workforce while still being thoughtful about the realities of climate change."
Panelists included Senator Brian Kavanagh, the chair of the New York Legislature's Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development, Mark Ginsberg, FAIA, LEED AP, Partner at Curtis and Ginsberg Architects, and Katie Shelton, Senior Manager of Market Engagement at Connecticut Green Bank.
"In addition to moderating this panel, I also attended several fantastic workshops, including one that focused on removing the barriers to 'missing middle housing' and creating gentle density in our small towns and cities," said Geiger. "There is still so much room for improvement on this issue here in Maine, and I look forward to continuing this important work in the months ahead."
Geiger is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents District 42, which includes Rockland, Owls Head, North Haven and part of Matinicus Isle. She is a member of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee and the Labor and Housing Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Geiger], 305-965-2744