AUGUSTA - Rep. Daniel J. Hobbs, D-Wells, introduced legislation Wednesday that would direct the Maine Community College System to study providing housing on its campuses. LD 830 would direct 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.
"The number of obstacles and financial obligations that accompany attending college is significantly increasing," said Hobbs. "On-campus housing should be more accessible to all students, so that finding off-campus housing is not added to the list of challenges students already face."
Maine's community colleges are experiencing an overall 12 percent increase in enrollment, in large part due to the state's free tuition program. This increase in students has resulted in a greater demand for on-campus housing. Both Southern Maine Community College and Central Maine Community College have long waitlists for housing, forcing students to enter the rental housing market, which has skyrocketed in Maine and around the country.
The Director of Government and Community Relations for the Maine Community College System, Becky Smith, testified in support of the bill and welcomed Hobb's proposal.
"Some of our students, especially those in the southern part of the state, struggle to find and afford housing," said Smith. "While we work hard to schedule the in-person portions of classes in a way that minimizes travel to and from our campuses and training sites, it greatly benefits our students to be able to live near or on campus."
The Education and Cultural Affairs Committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks.
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