In 1968, I was approached by Volunteers in Service to America to get involved in local housing issues. I couldn’t believe the conditions people were living in and what people were treated like. I wanted to help.
In 1982, we started the Maine People’s Alliance. We worked on local ordinances and on the state and federal levels to improve housing conditions.
Today, we have more of a problem with a lack of quality affordable housing. There recently was a proposal for affordable housing to replace some of the buildings that were burned down in Lewiston last spring. Although this was controversial, we need to open our minds to new construction of affordable housing. Otherwise, we will have a greater problem in our city.
On a state level, when Gov. LePage proposed cutting municipal revenue sharing, the Democratic House and Senate fought back. We need to help keep local property taxes down. Tenants often bear the burden of property tax increases when they are subject to large rent increases.
On a federal level we need to keep housing issues at the forefront. Do we really need to extend the mortgage tax break to million-dollar homes? We need to cap this at no more than $500,000. This would help homeowners and help provide revenue to shelter the homeless and marginally sheltered.
Safe and decent housing is a human right. We need to keep the heat on, both literally and figuratively.
Ray Polley, Wales
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