A Legislative Update on Housing with Senator Matt Pouliot and Representative Traci Gere

Maine Senator Matt Pouliot of Augusta and House Representative Traci Gere of Kennebunk sit down with MEREDA President Craig Young and Pierce Atwood attorney and government relations’ advocate Elizabeth Frazier for the eleventh episode of MEREDA Matters -the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Both Senator Pouliot and Representative Gere serve on the Joint Select Committee on Housing. They provide an overview of the history and focus of the committee and discuss Maine’s dire need for housing – the state needs some 80,000 new units to be built in the next seven to ten years. The group discusses some of the solutions the Joint Select Committee is working on to reduce the barriers to housing creation and democratize development, such as a government program to map out sewer and water lines in the state, investment in training programs for the trades, and a bill to establish a process to vest rights for land use permits. The conversation also includes an exploration of other creative ideas that will support the housing industry, including a program to identify vacant properties in the state and partnerships with the forest products industry to make innovative materials for building. What are Senator Pouliot and Representative Gere’s favorite restaurants? Listen to the episode to find out!