Thursday, December 28, 2023
As of 5 p.m. on January 10, 2024, MaineHousing will stop accepting applications for the Homeowner’s Assistance Fund program. The program was established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to provide relief to homeowners who suffered financial hardships due to the coronavirus pandemic. While time will tell, based on an assessment of current program statics regarding rates of application, approvals, denials, and financial commitments, MaineHousing is expecting to have...
Thursday, December 28, 2023
In 2024, FEMA will launch its “Year of Resilience” campaign by offering low-interest loans directly to communities to reduce their vulnerability to disasters, promote equity, foster greater community resilience, and reduce disaster impacts. Please visit this site for more information about this opportunity.
Friday, December 22, 2023
DECD’s Housing Opportunity Program staff will host nine in-person additional office sessions throughout January and into early February. The purpose of the meetings is to provide an opportunity for elected and appointed municipal officials and residents to discuss and pose questions about the impacts of the LD 2003 housing mandates on existing regulations, ordinances, and planning documents. There is no need to register to attend the events, as the sessions are conducted...
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
On Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy will host a virtual roundtable focused on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed improvements to the lead and copper rules, which were established in 1991 to protect public health and reduce exposure to lead in drinking water. To register for the session, please use this link.
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Mainers who receive SNAP benefits, and lost food due to power outages during the December 18 storm may be eligible for replacement of up to one month’s worth of SNAP benefits. To be eligible, residents must be without power for at least eight hours. Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will verify the duration of the power outage and determine eligibility. Claims must be filed with the DHHS within 10 days of having electricity restored to the home. To make a...
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has created a Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for municipalities to help understand the department’s authority and municipal authority in current statutes governing several activities municipalities may encounter such as: Hunting, Fishing, Trapping, Jurisdiction over Great Ponds, Public Trust Doctrine, Public Usage on Great Ponds, Moorings, Navigational Aids, Wildlife Causing Damage, Shooting Ranges, Recreational Vehicles and how...
Thursday, December 14, 2023
On Tuesday, December 19th at 6:00 the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine will offer a community conversation on antisemitism. The zoom gathering will begin with a 45 minute presentation on the history of antisemitism from Education Coordinator Erica Nadelhaft; she will then open it up to questions and conversation. The gathering will focus on people's personal experiences, not politics. We would like to hear about what you are seeing and experiencing in your daily lives during...
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
The Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future is excited to announce the opening of three grant opportunities for municipal and tribal governments and unorganized territories through the Community Resilience Partnership. Visit the GOPIF website for more information and to register for upcoming informational webinars.
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Two federal level legislative efforts are being advanced to further amend the Farm Bill by preempting state and local regulatory authority over pesticides, food production, and manufacturing. H.R. 4288, the Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act, would prohibit state and local governments from adopting pesticide laws and ordinances that are more protective than federal rules, while H.R. 4417, the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression Act, would prohibit the imposition of standards or...
Thursday, November 30, 2023
On April 27, 2022, Governor Mills signed affordable housing legislation into law, P.L. 2021, c. 672, entitled, An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions (hereinafter the Affordable Housing Law). The law was later amended by P.L. 2023, c. 192, which was entitled An Act to Clarify Statewide Laws Regarding Affordable Housing and Accessory Dwelling Units. Together, these bills made significant...