Committee backs mayoral task force to study social housing

The Housing and Economic Development Committee recommended that the City Council establish a mayoral task force to study social housing, unanimously approving a resolution to form the group and to explore financing and operational options.

Councilor Kate Sykes, who introduced the resolution, said the private market is not producing sufficient housing at multiple income levels and that social housing — defined in broad terms during the discussion — could include municipal bonding, a revolving loan fund, public development, or other public-investment models. "A task force, a mayoral task force, is one way to get at that," she said, adding the group could convene experts, developers, the Portland Housing Authority and MaineHousing to examine models and implementation risks.

Greg Watson said the Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) has been asked to apply for a state HOP grant that could cover facilitation of the task force, and staff had received positive indications from GPCOG. Dina Livner, assistant city manager, advised staff would include a fiscal note for council consideration if the grant had not yet been confirmed by the time the resolution reached the full council.

A public commenter, Wendy Cherubini, testified in support: "I just wanna say how much I support this resolution," she said, and urged the committee to consider social housing as an investment to address the "missing middle" and other gaps.

The committee voted to recommend the resolution to the full City Council; the motion passed by roll call (Councilor Kate Sykes — yes; Councilor Sarah McNevich — yes; Chair Pius Ali — yes).