New Maine law could transform old York County courthouses into housing

AUGUSTA — MaineHousing and local housing authorities will now have the first option to purchase three vacant courthouses in York County to redevelop them into housing.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Traci Gere, D-Kennebunkport, was signed into law last week by Gov. Janet Mills.

“Repurposing vacant buildings for housing is a valuable tool in addressing Maine's housing crisis, and this strategy offers a practical and cost-effective approach for revitalizing the former courthouse buildings in York, Sanford and Biddeford,” said Gere. “Allowing these properties to be redeveloped by local housing authorities will provide new housing for people and communities that sorely need it.”

At least 10,100 new housing units need to be built in York County by 2030 to meet current and future demand, an October report found. Some of the state's priciest communities are in the region, which is between greater Portland and the Boston metro area.

“In York County alone, there are an estimated 300 individuals without housing,” said Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio, D-Sanford. “Converting unused state buildings into badly needed affordable housing is a smart and tangible way for the state to help alleviate our region's extreme housing shortage.”

Guy Gagnon, executive director of Biddeford Housing, said the current affordable housing crisis calls for outof-the-box thinking “when it comes to creating new truly affordable units.”

“For BHA to be able to obtain a building with its current infrastructure being in good condition and largely reusable, is a head start we never are able to begin with,” said Gagnon. “Our development costs per unit will be less than 50% of what it takes to rehab or build new units today. Being able to pass on those savings in the form of lower rents is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for BHA. And its convenient location in the center of town is just icing on the cake.”

The new law will go into effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns.

Gere is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents Kennebunkport and a portion of Kennebunk and Biddeford. She is the House chair of the Legislature's Joint Select Committee on Housing and serves as a member of the Labor and Housing Committee.