AUGUSTA – On July 7, Gov. Janet Mills signed into law LD 1184, sponsored by Rep. Traci Gere, D-Kennebunkport, which will establish a statewide housing data collection system that will provide Maine communities with the tools and resources needed to track progress toward the state’s housing goals.
Maine municipalities currently use different methods to report housing data, creating significant challenges for accurate analysis and informed policymaking. The lack of standardized reporting has made it difficult to assess statewide housing trends, get a clear picture of housing production and identify communities that need additional support.
“A uniform reporting system is essential to track our progress toward Maine’s ambitious housing goals — and to ensure that policymakers, stakeholders and the public have access to reliable, comparable data,” said Gere, who serves as House chair of the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Housing and Economic Development.
The legislation builds upon the successful pilot program launched by the Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG), which has demonstrated the value of coordinated housing data collection. Through its “Great Maine Neighborhoods” Housing Data Dashboard, GPCOG has made participating communities’ housing data easily accessible and user-friendly, providing a model for statewide implementation.
LD 1184 will require municipalities with 4,000 or more residents to annually collect and report key housing metrics including building permits, demolition permits and certificates of occupancy.
“I am immensely proud of all the work the Legislature has done this year to combat Maine’s housing crisis,” Gere added. “This bill is a step in the right direction.”
The new law will go into effect on Sept. 24, 2025.
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