Neighborhoods in the News

A matchmaking service is coming for Mainers who want to share their homes

MaineHousing, the state’s housing authority, recently signed a nearly $200,000 contract with Nesterly, a platform that allows homeowners — mostly retirees and empty nesters — to list extra rooms online. Like a dating service, those homeowners are matched with renters, often students looking for an affordable living space for 30 days or longer.

Portland repurposes parking lots and skyscrapers to chip away at housing crisis

More than 700 housing units are in development in downtown Portland as Maine is on pace to face a shortage of roughly 84,000 units by the year 2030. The State of Maine Housing Production Needs Study found Maine is short by about 38,500 units because of historic underproduction. With the expected future need of up to 45,800 units by the year 2030, the state is against the ropes in its struggle to create more housing.

Gorham Planning Board unanimously approves first phase of a project that would add many new homes.

Developers of the Robie Street project are awaiting word on their request to build a road across town land behind Village School to reach White Birch Lane as an outlet to New Portland Road.

City of Bangor hopes to attract housing developers with new affordable housing incentives

City leaders say they're looking to build a 50 to 100-unit apartment project on unused city land at the intersection of Grandview and Broadway.

Portland creates public dashboard to track housing creation

The city of Portland created a publicly available housing dashboard to track and visualize the city’s efforts to create more housing. The dashboard was created by the Department of Planning & Urban Development using city approval and permitting data.

Affordable housing development for seniors in Kennebunk clears important hurdle

The Kennebunk Select Board decided that a proposed contract zone agreement will appear on the March 5 ballot. If approved by voters, the proposal would allow Kennebunk Savings Bank to use land it owns on Alewive Park Road for a 70-unit affordable housing development for older Mainers.

Kittery will demolish one of its outlet malls to make room for new housing

The town of Kittery has approved a plan to demolish an under-utilized outlet shopping center to make room for a new hotel, restaurant and housing near the Kittery Trading Post on Route 1.

Scarborough homeowners see tax advantages because of the Downs development

Five years in, the developers of the former Scarborough Downs racetrack have completed $178.5 million in residential and commercial projects that already have generated enough new property taxes to significantly reduce the tax burden on the town’s homeowners.

A new program is showing promise in chipping away at Maine's affordable housing crisis

Under the program, projects must range from five to 18 units, which must be leased to households earning no more than 80% of the area median income. Rents must be capped at a similar rate, and the developments must meet affordable housing standards for at least 45.

Scarborough Town Council approves credit enhancement agreement for 3iHoME/POAH Affordable Housing Project

The Scarborough Town Council voted 6-1 in favor of a credit enhancement agreement (CEA) with 3i Housing of Maine (3iHoME) and Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) on Dec. 6. The agreement aims to support the development of a state-of-the-art accessible apartment community known as 3i Housing of Maine (3iHoME) at the Downs in Scarborough.

Brunswick becomes one of few Maine municipalities to require affordable units in new construction

The town council's unanimous vote will require any new rental builds with 15 or more units to set aside 15% for affordable housing. It would have to be affordable to people earning up to 80% of the area's median income, or about $1,300 for a one bedroom.