Our panel engaged in a conversation from four very different perspectives--Maine State Housing, city planning, state government, and a private developer. They all agreed that Maine is facing a housing crisis but were also enthusiastic about the resources we have in Maine to meet the challenge. These are the resources shared by our panelists (from left to right): 

• Lauren Bustard: Senior Director of Homeless Initiatives, MaineHousing
  Click here to view presentation handout
  Lauren shared several handouts about Maine State Housing Programs:

  • • Aging in Place Program. The Community Aging in Place Grant Program offers no-cost home safety checks, minor maintenance repairs, and accessibility modifications to eligible low-income elderly and disabled homeowners. These services enable recipients to continue living safely and comfortably at home.

    • First Time Home Buyer Program. MaineHousing’s First Home Loan Program makes it easier and more affordable to buy a home of your own. Offers affordable, fixed rate mortgages and other assistance.

    • Home Accessibility and Repair Program. MaineHousing’s Home Accessibility & Repair Program pays for professional home repair and accessibility changes. Homeowners must meet certain income guidelines. Professional contractors in your area do the work on your home. MaineHousing approves these contractors.

    • LiHEAP  Program. You can get help paying for your home energy bills and emergency home heating fuel delivery from the Home Energy Assistance Program. 

    • Mobile Home Replacement. If you own and occupy a mobile home built before 1976, MaineHousing can help replace it with a brand-new ENERGY STAR® certified manufactured home on the same site. The Pre-1976 Mobile Home Replacement Initiative is part of our mission to help keep Mainers in warm, affordable, safe homes. If you’re eligible, you will get a $35,000 grant toward a new, more energy-efficient home.

    • Salute ME Program. Qualified active duty, veterans and retired military personnel will receive a 0.50% discount to the already low First Home Loan 30-year fixed interest rate. MaineHousing primarily offers mortgages to first-time home buyers; however, we are able to waive the first-time home buyer requirement for qualified active duty, veterans and retired military.

    • Weatherization Program. MaineHousing’s Weatherization Program provides grants to low-income homeowners and renters to reduce energy costs by improving home energy efficiency. 

• Anne Krieg: Dir. of Economic and Community Development, Bangor

• Ryan Fecteau: Senior Advisor, Community Development and Strategic Initiatives, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation, and the Future

  • • Housing Production Study. 

• Paul Linet: Founder and President, 3iHoME
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  Paul shared a few handouts about the work that 3iHoME is doing:

  • • 3iHoMe Event Post Card. The mission of 3iHoME is to create independent community based living options for people living with disabilities that are affordable and include integrated support services.

    • 3iHoME One-Page description of the model and philosophy behind 3iHoME

We heard from four Lifelong Community leaders about different approaches to housing--from chore and home repair programs and sharing information about tax abatement programs to an adaptive tool library and sand bucket/shoveling programs. The message that came through loud and clear was the importance of collaborating with partners and developing the program that fit the unique strengths of the community. 

These are the resources shared by our panelists (from left to right): 

• Jean Saunders - Chair, Age-Friendly Saco
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• Dr. Chris Morin - Chair, Aging Well in Waldo County

• Sharon Kelly - Library Director, Berwick Public Library &  Outgoing Chair, Berwick for a Lifetime
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• Lisa Joyce - Outreach Librarian, South Portland Public Library & Co-Chair, Age-Friendly South Portland
  Lisa shared extensive information about their snow shoveling and sand bucket program. She also shared this sample letter with information sent by the City of South Portland to all residents about property tax abatement programs. 

  • • South Portland Tax Relief Letter