The Maine Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) was established by the Maine State Legislature in 2024 as a one-stop-shop to assist municipalities, Tribal governments and regional planning organizations in building a more resilient future.
It may be helpful to know a bit about our history. In June 2023, the Legislature directed the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF) to review opportunities for structural changes in the coordination and implementation of grants and technical assistance programs that support community planning.
GOPIF presented a report to the Legislature in 2023 that recommended the creation of MOCA.
MOCA's establishment was funded in the 2024-25 supplemental budget passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Mills in April 2024. Governor Mills announced Samantha Horn as the Office's Director in October 2024.
In spring 2025, MOCA introduced a newly established State Resilience Office and staff to lead cross-agency efforts to enhance climate resilience across the state, especially in communities with significant climate vulnerabilities impacting residents, infrastructure, and the environment.
In the fall of 2025, relevant state programs and staff transferred to MOCA through proposals that are included in the Governor's biennial budget.
Visit the Programs page for information on the state programs incorporated into MOCA.