Maine communities implement measures to address housing affordability

Maine communities are implementing various measures to address ongoing housing affordability challenges. In Portland, city officials have set the 2027 rent-control cap at 2.6%, an increase from the 2.2% cap established for 2026. The city’s ordinance ties annual rent hikes to inflation, though the policy remains a subject of debate between tenant advocates and landlords. To strengthen enforcement, the city has increased inspections and added a second inspector.

In the coastal regions of Deer Isle and Stonington, two island towns have hired a part-time housing manager, Dan DeBord, to tackle a shortage of affordable units. A task force report indicated a deficit of over 100 affordable housing units, noting that much of the local housing stock is occupied by seasonal second homes and short-term rentals. This has created a workforce shortage, particularly for essential workers in the fishing, retail, and hospitality sectors who often earn below 60% of the area median income.