From new housing developments, rent control news, election updates, and more - the RHA wants to keep our members informed of the latest local headlines. Read up on the latest headlines & news articles from the past week below.
November 11: Affordable housing, connectivity part of amendment to master plan of The Downs in Scarborough
The Press Herald provided a recent update on the proposed affordable housing project within The Downs in Scarborough. At the most recent meeting for the Scarborough Planning Board, a site plan review by AR Building was approved to construct “10 three-floor multi-family structures housing a total of 120 residential units and a one-story clubhouse on a 57 acre parcel at 35 Mussey Road.” The project also plans to include “connectivity within the downtown district with trails, sidewalks, and other streets within Scarborough,” enhanced walkability, and sustainable features - including EV chargers and solar technology.
Read the full article here.
November 11: Maine Voices: Steps Portland must take to improve workforce housing stock
In a recent contribution to the Press Herald, Maggy Wolf, president of the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization and Ned Chester, a corresponding board member, outline a list of and proposals to “improve workforce housing stock” in South Portland. In general, they call for a two-part action plan that will 1) preserve the existing housing stock that currently serves (or could serve) as long-term workforce housing, and 2) create new units to add to the supply. They also cite the city’s recent revaluation process that raised property taxes on residential units, stating that the increase resulted in “an average rise of 40% in tax bills for residential units, almost three times the increase for commercial properties. Those tax increases inevitably lead to rent increases. The city needs to mitigate the impact of the tax increase by providing rebates or subsidies to landlords who provide long-term workforce housing.”
Read the full article here.
November 9: Portland mayor responds to referendum results
In a news conference on Wednesday, Portland Mayor Kate Snyder reacted to the results of the 13 referendum questions on the ballot. Four of the five citizen initiatives put forward by the DSA were defeated. Question C, however, was approved by voters.
“Snyder says she is open to reforming the citizen's initiative process, which critics say is not stringent enough in allowing questions to go on the ballot.” Snyder was quoted in the article as saying: "We've heard from a lot of people in our community that the process isn't working right now … So I do intend to ask to have a workshop scheduled in order to go in with the council to understand the will of that body, to address changes."
Read the full article here.
November 9: Projected election results for Portland referendum questions
News Center Maine published an overview of the results for Portland’s referendum questions. “According to unofficial results shared by the City of Portland, six out of the eight charter commission proposals were approved by voters, and just one of the citizen-initiatives was supported by the majority of voters.”
Read the full article here.
November 9: Statewide and town-by-town Maine results for Election 2022
Access the Press Herald’s full election coverage below and official statewide and local results below.
Read the full article here.
November 7: Portland landlord goes to court to keep rents private
"A Portland landlord will be in court Tuesday to challenge a provision in a city ordinance that requires detailed disclosure of rents... The ordinance requires landlords to disclose to the city current rents, any rent increases over the previous year, the reasons for those increases and security deposit amounts."
In July 2021, the Rental Housing Alliance of Southern Maine "argued the new law was vague and inconsistent with state and federal laws."
Read the full article here.
