Portland Council creates task force for social housing

The Portland City Council has formed a new task force to explore social housing in the city. This task force will focus on creating middle-income housing that the city will own and manage. The goal is to offer rents that are lower than the market rate, but the exact pricing will be studied further. The council voted unanimously to set up this task force, which will consist of nine to thirteen members appointed by Mayor Mark Dion. Two members must have experience related to Portland's housing issues and come from underserved populations. This was introduced in an amendment by Councilor April Fournier. The task force will look into funding options, legal authority for public housing, potential locations for new housing, and ways to simplify the permitting process. Councilor Pious Ali emphasized the need for action, stating that Portland is facing a housing crisis. Councilor Wes Pelletier noted that this would be a long-term effort, requiring significant preparation. Public support for social housing was evident during the council meeting. Several residents expressed their concerns regarding the high costs of housing in Portland. Todd Morse pointed out the urgency to address these issues, while Winston Lumpkins highlighted his struggles with homeownership in the city. In another decision, the council voted to continue operating a shelter for asylum seekers in Riverton for another year and a half. This shelter was initially set to be managed by the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, but financial issues have led the city to retain control. The annual operating cost for the shelter is about $3.27 million, with most of it reimbursed by state funding. The city will also take over providing food for the shelter, which will add $1.2 million to the expenses. The future of the shelter remains uncertain after its leasing contract ends in 2026.