Pine State News

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) on June 24, 2023 released the June episode of his “Inside Maine” podcast, in which he discusses the affordable housing shortage in Maine and recently introduced bipartisan approaches to address the crisis. Senator King was joined by Rebecca Hatfield, the President and CEO of Maine non-profit Avesta Housing, as well as Senator Todd Young (R-Indiana), sponsor of legislation that Senator King recently joined, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act.

“There is no doubt we need to quickly expand the supply of affordable housing in Maine and across the country,” said Senator King. “Building on the success of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act would create or restore millions of new affordable housing units in the communities that need them the most. It was a pleasure to sit down with Rebecca Hatfield and Senator Young to discuss America’s housing challenges and potential, bipartisan solutions to address this crisis in Maine and nationwide.”

“In Indiana, Maine, and across our country, affordable housing is needed now more than ever. Addressing the housing affordability crisis will strengthen our communities and families,” said Senator Young. “I appreciate the opportunity to work with Senator King on this issue and join him on Inside Maine to talk about solutions that will help Hoosiers, Mainers, and millions of Americans.”

Rebecca Hatfield joined Avesta housing in 2015 and was named President and CEO in 2022. Avesta Housing is a non-profit affordable housing provider supplying safe and affordable homes for more than 4,5000 Maine people daily. Over the course of the next three years, Avesta housing expects to create an additional 800 homes for older adults, working families, recent immigrants, formerly unhoused individuals and families, and others in need. Rebecca was named a Mainer of the Year in 2022 by Maine Magazine and a Woman to Watch in 2021 by Mainebiz Magazine. Prior to joining Avesta housing, she served on the boards of the Maine Council on Aging and the Maine Real Estate and Development Association.

Senator Todd Young represents the state of Indiana. He currently serves on the U.S. Senate Committees on Finance; Foreign Relations; Commerce, Science & Transportation; and Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Senator Young is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. After graduating with honors in 1995, he accepted a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 2000, he was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps as a Captain. Senator Young earned both his MBA and law degree while serving in the Marines and working as a business consultant. He served three terms as the representative for Indiana’s 9th District before his election into the US Senate in 2016. Senator Young has consistently worked to combat the nation’s housing challenges, previously introducing the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act to address affordable homeownership as well as legislation to increase affordable housing vouchers. Senator Young recently reintroduced the bipartisan Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act with Senator Cantwell from Washington.

Senator King has long been committed to ensuring safe and affordable housing access to Mainers across the state. In 2022, Senator King introduced a bipartisan bill to help students who face homelessness access affordable housing. Additionally, he has worked to expand affordable workforce housing on Mount Desert Island to support the economic development surrounding Acadia National Park.

The ‘Inside Maine’ podcast airs on the last Saturday of the month and aims to keep Mainers informed about issues, how they affect life in the state, and how they factor into Senator King’s work.  

To listen to the June edition of Senator King’s podcast, click here, or find it on Apple Podcasts.

Original source can be found here.