The second session of the 132nd Legislature adjourned in April, and among our most meaningful accomplishments was passing a series of new laws to make targeted investments in housing and help alleviate the current shortage our state is experiencing. 

Housing here in Lincoln County and across Maine has become too expensive for most everyday, hard-working Mainers. As a realtor for over 30 years, I’ve seen the effects of skyrocketing costs up close. I’ve seen young families priced out of the towns they grew up in. I’ve watched people accept longer and longer commutes just to find something they can afford near their work. This session, I brought that experience to the Legislature — and while this problem hasn’t gone away, I believe we made some meaningful progress. 

A recent report revealed that Maine’s housing crisis is among the most severe in the country. While median housing prices across the state have risen 110% over the past 10 years, the median household income has risen only 53%, leaving many Mainers unable to keep up with the rising costs. 

That widening gap helped inform my work over the last two years. 

I supported the elimination of the Real Estate Transfer Tax for eligible first-time homebuyers, which will provide meaningful tax relief at closing. On a home at Maine’s current median price of around $340,000, that’s roughly $750 back in a buyer’s pocket on move-in day — money that can go toward utilities, repairs, or simply getting settled. 

To encourage the development of more affordable units, I supported legislation that extends the Low Income Housing Tax Credit until 2036. This program offers tax incentives to developers who build or preserve affordable rental housing, making projects financially viable that wouldn’t otherwise get built. Since its creation, the credit has helped in the development of over 1,000 affordable units across Maine. 

I was also proud to support a supplemental budget that made significant investments in housing, including two key MaineHousing programs. The Rural Affordable Rental Program helps finance the construction and preservation of affordable rental housing in smaller communities. The Affordable Homeownership Program provides low-interest loans and down payment assistance to help eligible Mainers purchase their first home. The budget also raises the maximum benefit for the Property Tax Fairness Credit for Mainers under 65, delivering more direct property tax relief to homeowners feeling the squeeze. 

Additionally, I introduced legislation that would have directed Maine State Housing Authority to provide grants of up to $15,000 to eligible first time homebuyers to help reduce their mortgage interest costs — real relief that could have opened the door to homeownership for families who have been shut out of the market. The bill received support in the Legislature but unfortunately did not receive funding. However, I plan to continue fighting for common-sense ideas like these. 

Housing is the foundation of a strong workforce, a strong economy and strong communities. Every Mainer deserves a safe, stable and affordable place to call home, and when we invest in housing, we invest in Maine’s future. I look forward to continuing to work on this issue. 

It is an honor to serve you in Augusta, and I look forward to spending more time at home here in Lincoln County this summer. As always, please feel free to contact me at Wayne.Farrin@legislature.maine.gov with your questions and concerns.

Rep. Wayne Farrin is serving his first term in the Maine House, representing Wiscasset, Alna, Jefferson and Whitefield. He serves as a member of the Marine Resources Committee and the State and Local Government Committee.