Dem Govs Get It Done: Gov. Janet Mills Breaks Ground on Major Affordable Housing Project As Part of Largest Housing Investment in State’s History

Gov. Janet Mills broke ground this week on a project providing 40 new affordable housing units for Skowhegan families. The Mary Street Apartments project is being heralded as part of Gov. Mills’ broad push for more affordable housing.

“I think it’s going to have really significant positive impacts,” said Jeff Levine, interim director of the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition.

Gov. Mills signed the Act To Create Affordable Workforce and Senior Housing and Preserve Affordable Rural Housing last year, making an $80 million investment over eight years, Maine’s largest housing investment in history.

“I look forward to continuing our progress to make sure all Maine people have affordable places to live,” said Gov. Mills, “which is critical to strengthening our economy as we recover from the pandemic.”

Gov. Mills is just getting started when it comes to affordable housing. She recently announced that Maine Housing gained an additional $38.6 million in funding for affordable housing from low-interest rates from refinancing bonds. Gov. Mills also signed a law this summer to invest $50 million from federal COVID relief funds into affordable housing in Maine.

“Gov. Janet Mills is taking historic action to provide more affordable housing for Maine families,” said DGA Senior Communications Advisor Christina Amestoy. “At this critical point in the state’s recovery, Gov. Mills’ bold investments in affordable housing will transform lives and help Maine bounce back from the pandemic.”

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