AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Daniel J. Hobbs, D-Wells, which directs the Maine Community College System to study providing more housing on its campuses, is now law after being signed by Gov. Janet Mills last week.
"This bill will aid the Maine Community College System in their efforts to ensure campus housing is more accessible for students across Maine," said Hobbs. "In a tight housing market, on-campus housing should be more available to all students, so that finding off-campus housing is not added to the list of challenges students already face."
LD 830 directs the system to study housing construction costs, the cost to students, the availability of space on campuses, other infrastructure and staff necessary to support housing, alternate housing options and any other issues the system feels are appropriate.
Currently, five of the seven community colleges have residence halls. Both York County Community College (YCCC) and Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) do not have residence halls. YCCC is currently lodging some students in a local hotel and KVCC is exploring housing options.
The new law will go into effect 90 days after the current session of the Legislative adjourns.
Hobbs is serving his second non-consecutive term in the Maine House, representing a portion of Wells. He serves as a member of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Hobbs], c. 305-965-2744