AUGUSTA – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Traci Gere, D-Kennebunkport, to increase housing opportunities, support aspiring homeowners and strengthen local code enforcement is now law.
The three new laws are part of ongoing efforts to address Maine’s housing shortage and ensure more Mainers can find safe, stable and affordable homes.
“Housing is the foundation of strong communities, a strong workforce and a strong economy,” said Gere. “Every Mainer deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. These new laws will help create more housing opportunities across our state, support working families pursuing homeownership and provide local officials with the tools they need to serve their communities. While there is more work to do, these measures are important steps forward.”
Among the new laws taking effect:
LD 2231 strengthens protections for residents of mobile home parks while supporting the development of additional lower-cost housing options. The law gives residents more leverage against substantial rent increases, expands and clarifies the treatment of manufactured and tiny homes as real property, reduces zoning barriers to developing and expanding mobile home parks and encourages additional affordable housing supply throughout Maine.
LD 2097 addresses challenges in the process of hiring, training and retaining code enforcement professionals by establishing a formal professional discipline system for Maine code enforcement officials. The law creates a review committee, establishes procedures for investigating complaints, modernizes the certification process and ensures due process protections for code enforcement professionals while strengthening public accountability.
LD 916 creates a new MaineHousing financing program designed to increase housing production for middle-income households. The program authorizes loans and grants for new housing construction and rehabilitation projects, helping fill the gap between traditional affordable housing programs and the private market. Eligibility focuses on renters earning up to 120% of area median income and homebuyers earning up to 180% of area median income.
In addition to sponsoring these measures, Gere, who serves as House chair of the Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Housing and Economic Development, helped shape a supplemental budget that includes significant investments in housing and homeownership initiatives.
The budget provides funding for MaineHousing’s Rural Affordable Rental Program, which supports the construction and preservation of affordable rental housing in smaller communities, and the Affordable Homeownership Program, which offers low-interest loans and down payment assistance to eligible homebuyers. The budget also increases the maximum Property Tax Fairness Credit for Mainers under age 65, providing additional tax relief to homeowners facing rising property tax bills.
Rep. Traci Gere is serving her third term in the Maine House and represents Kennebunkport and a portion of Kennebunk and Biddeford. She is the House chair of the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Housing and Economic Development.
Contact:
Brian Lee (Gere) | 305-965-2744