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Cumberland housing board considers raising rents for new tenants, asks staff to draft means‑test
Summary
At its Aug. 4 meeting the Cumberland Housing Authority discussed moving new‑tenant rents to the 60% area‑median‑income level, debated whether to require an income means test for new occupants, and asked staff to produce a written proposal; the board tabled formal action until a future meeting.
The Cumberland Housing Authority on Aug. 4 discussed raising rents for new tenants to levels tied to 60% of the area median income (AMI) and asked staff to draft a one‑time means‑testing proposal for new move‑ins; the board did not vote on a rate change. Chair Bill Hanson opened the discussion and asked staff to summarize the data underlying the recommendation.
Matt, a town staff member who compiled a rental survey for the board, said he reviewed AMI‑based rents, HUD fair‑market rent figures and comparable properties in the Greater Portland market before making a recommendation. "It's not without precedent that the housing authority has looked at this as a way to move forward to . . . address its financial needs and long term planning and capital needs," Matt said. He recommended setting new‑tenant rents at the 60% AMI level for both one‑ and two‑bedroom units while preserving existing, grandfathered tenant rates.
The board's discussion focused on how utilities should be treated in a new rent schedule and whether to require an income‑based…
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