There is nowhere quite like the Midcoast in the summertime. I love being able to step outside and admire the sun setting over Curtis Cove. Looking out over the water, watching the sunlight dip below the horizon, surrounded by a symphony of cicadas and ocean waves, I cannot help but be filled with deep gratitude that I am lucky enough to live in Harpswell and represent the people of House District 99.
I’m particularly grateful for these moments of serenity after all of the rigorous work and debate at the State House in Augusta. Now that the 131st Legislature has adjourned, I have been reflecting on all that we have accomplished, and I want to share some of the successes of which I am most proud.
When I first began my tenure as your representative, I knew I wanted to prioritize measures that would lower costs for families and tackle Maine’s housing crisis head-on. Last year, I spearheaded a measure that directs MaineHousing and Efficiency Maine Trust to prioritize energy-efficient outreach assistance programs for low- to moderate-income residents living in manufactured homes. This legislation works to reduce that financial burden on our state’s more vulnerable residents by providing educational services to those wishing to learn more about energy efficiency and shall ensure that eligible residents of manufactured housing are offered access to grants and loans for weatherization or heat pumps for space heating.The benefits are twofold: With a greater awareness of the available heating options on the market, residents will be more apt to transition away from oil-reliant heating towards greener alternatives, ultimately decreasing their long-term energy costs and moving the state one step closer to accomplishing our renewable energy goals.
I grew up in generational poverty and understand firsthand how receiving the right assistance at the right time can make a world of difference for families. Advocating for legislation that will assist those living on low and fixed incomes will always be the cornerstone of my policy work. That work continued this year. I introduced several bills, all of which received favorable votes in committee and on the House floor. This process involved rigorous debate, careful consideration, and collaboration with my colleagues, making each legislative success a testament to our dedication and hard work.
In the past, many municipalities restricted the placement of manufactured housing due to long-running stigmas about curb appeal. In reality, these homes are often indistinguishable from site-built homes and are built to code in controlled environments that traditional houses are not. Producing new affordable housing in our state is vital, and providing residents with more avenues to own a home, including manufactured housing, is essential in our efforts to combat the housing crisis.
Finally, another measure I worked on this session will establish a commission to investigate issues Mainers are experiencing with the Housing Choice Voucher program and help improve relationships between tenants and landlords. More often than not, folks find themselves waiting for years to secure a housing voucher but are only given a brief period to find housing. Notoriously, the values of the distributed vouchers have not been able to keep pace with the rise of rental costs, and landlords have expressed reluctance to rent to voucher holders.
Our choice voucher waitlist has approximately 20,000 applicants, which is unacceptable. This is a federal program, but the state has a lot of flexibility to make it run smoother. Mainers deserve to be able to utilize this program to the best of their ability. With our current housing shortage and rising costs, any assistance we can provide to our most vulnerable neighbors is critical.
This legislation represents only some of my bills that were passed into law during the two-year term. It was hard work, but ultimately so fulfilling to implement policies that will improve the lives of all Mainers. As the sun sets on the 131st Legislature, I remain excited for all the work to come. It continues to be an honor to serve as your representative. If you would like to learn more about my policy work, please contact me at Cheryl.Golek@legislature.maine.gov.
Rep. Golek, is a member of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee and the Joint Select Committee on Housing, is serving her first term in the Maine House representing Harpswell and part of Brunswick.
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