Like many parts of Maine, the islands, peninsulas and cities of the midcoast suffer from a severe housing shortage that’s made it increasingly hard for workers to live there.
The region would have to add 10,000 new units between now and 2030 to keep up with Maine’s housing production goals, with the greatest demand in Waldo and Knox counties, according to a new state report from last month.
In response to that demand, communities have been working to ramp up housing production across Maine, with the number of new units in development steadily growing in recent years. But for now, at least, much of that construction is concentrated in southern Maine, according to the state’s housing production dashboard.
Mathew Eddy, executive director of the Midcoast Council of Governments, said there are several ways that communities can try to encourage more development, including tax-increment finance districts that raise revenue for specific projects and requirements that a certain portion of new developments consist of affordable housing.
“Whether it’s Belfast, downtown Camden, Rockland, restaurants, tourism — the ability to stay open has been hindered by the ability to find workers. Workers can’t find a place to live,” Eddy said.
However, while some new housing developments face pushback, there are important new ones in the works all along the midcoast, in both bigger service center communities – including some that have seen spillover from the Portland area’s building boom — and more remote, rural places. Work is even happening on some of the region’s islands.
Here are five notable projects happening throughout the midcoast:
115 Congress St. – Belfast
Waldo County would have to add 3,200 housing units by 2030 to meet state goals, which is the greatest demand of any county in the midcoast. So it’s noteworthy that a 48-unit affordable housing complex in Belfast is nearly complete after three years of development.
The project, led by Developers Collaborative, will provide 36 units with subsidies for renters who make 60 percent of the median income level, and another 12 for those who make 80 percent of that level.
Peasley Park – Rockland
Knox County has the second greatest demand for new housing in the midcoast, with state plans calling for it to add 2,800 new units by 2030.
In Rockland, a 49-unit affordable housing development for seniors broke ground in May and is projected to be complete next April, according to MaineBiz. Called Peasley Park, its rents will likely range from $622 to $801 for those who meet certain income guidelines, and at least 29 units will be reserved for those making up to half of the median income for the area.
Alexander Way – Boothbay Harbor
The further down the midcoast’s peninsulas you go, the smaller the new housing projects tend to be.
This 7-unit project is currently under construction on Alexander Way in Boothbay Harbor, according to the state’s housing production dashboard. Led by the Boothbay Region Housing Trust, it will consist of homes, rather than rentals, with prices kept to 85 percent of a price limit for Lincoln County set under Maine’s First Home Loan Program.
Penobscot Bay island developments
Eleven units are in the pipeline on three of Penobscot Bay’s islands: four each on North Haven, and Vinalhaven, and another three on Isle au Haut. According to the state, more than $3.6 million has been invested in the projects.
North Haven Sustainable Housing will be overseeing the development on that island, which will consist of four rental units. Isle au Haut Community Development Corporation will be overseeing its project.
Fairview Commons – Topsham
This project is close enough to southern Maine that it could help to meet the demand for people who work in either the midcoast or Greater Portland.
The 38-unit affordable housing subdivision at 25 Hackmatack Road. will consist of townhouse-style rentals, according to The Times Record. Topsham Housing Authority is overseeing the project, and MaineHousing has authorized $13.6 million in tax-exempt bonds for its development.
Jules Walkup is a Report for America corps member. Additional support for this reporting is provided by BDN readers.
