The housing affordability crisis is a legislative priority in the Pine Tree State.
"Data from MaineHousing shows more than 57% of all renters in Maine do not make enough money to afford the median cost of rent and utilities for a two-bedroom unit," reports Ross Ketschke for WMTW.
According to the article, a "surging population and a highly competitive market" are to blame for the state's worsening housing affordability challenges. "Despite flurries of developments throughout the state, housing advocates have seen demand far out-pace available supply of affordable units," writes Ketschke.
The MaineHousing report also estimates that "49.1% of all renters are cost-burdened by housing expenses, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income paying for a place to live," adds Ketschke.
The report was presented to Maine legislators with policy recommendations intended to counteract rising housing prices, including zoning codes that increase residential density—in the form of fourplexes and accessory dwelling units—similar to increasingly common reform laws in other jurisdictions.
Maine is certainly not alone in its struggles to supply housing that most residents can afford. As detailed in a recent Planetizen blog post, the "America’s Rental Housing 2022" report published in January by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies (HJCHS) presented evidence rising rents and vanishing supply all over the country in 2021.
FULL STORY: Report suggests changes to local zoning to expand affordable housing
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises
Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.
Brightline West Breaks Ground
The high-speed rail line will link Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.
Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions
In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.