March 20: Portland City Council sends to voters a citizen-initiated proposal to eliminate a rent cap
On Monday night, Portland’s city council voted to send our amendment to the June election. RHA President, Brit Vitalius, was interviewed by WMTW regarding the amendment, saying that “it would also allow landlords to cover their expenses and make necessary improvements.”
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March 20: Letter: Rent control is violation of Fifth Amendment
Timothy Robinson of Portland wrote a letter to the editor declaring rent control violates the Fifth Amendment. Robinson notes, “The government’s use of eminent domain has come to be known as taking and our government’s taking has manifested in two forms: one, a land grab, or two, the imposition of weighty government regulations. In theory, the government must reimburse the property owner the fair market value for most seizures.”
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March 21: Waterville City Council approves housing rental registration ordinance
The Waterville city council approved a housing rental registration ordinance on Tuesday. The ordinance requests property owners register their buildings with the city instead of requiring them so that the city can “contact landlords in an emergency.”
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March 21: Three affordable housing projects in the works in Cumberland
Cumberland city council plans to announce three affordable housing projects next week. The three projects will provide at least 225 residential units. All three projects will likely involve the Maine State Housing Authority.
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March 22: Divided council passes rent control in South Portland, in effect until 2030
South Portland city council passed a rent control ordinance, which will go into effect in June. Enforcement of the new ordinance is left up to tenants.
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March 23: Portland real estate developer committed to expanding Maine's affordable housing stock
The Szanton Company is currently constructing another affordable apartment complex. They are halfway through their Bathproject.
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