25. Maine Housing: Why Projects Get Approved But Don’t Get Built

Why do so many housing projects in Maine get approved—but never actually get built? In this episode of Housing Matters, Matt Pouliot sits down with John Egan of the Genesis Fund to unpack what’s really stalling housing development across the state. From financing gaps and broken appraisals to the “missing middle,” workforce shortages, and misunderstood tools like TIFs, this is a deep dive into the real-world mechanics of getting housing from paper to reality. They also explore: Why public investment is critical to unlocking private development The growing urgency of preserving rural and USDA-financed housing How towns can reduce friction with zoning, parking, and faster approvals And what it will take to keep Maine’s housing momentum alive If you care about Maine’s economy, workforce, or future communities, this is a must-listen conversation about why approval isn’t the finish line—and homes don’t get built by accident.