Letter: Failure to fund rent relief will only make inequalities worse

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A housing availability crisis has developed in Maine’s cities, towns, and rural areas. This is a statewide issue that impacts communities across the state; therefore, a state-led solution is needed. Over 70 percent of extremely low-income households in Maine are challenged by unaffordable rents. Simply put, rents are too high for too many people.

The Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition works to enhance the lives of Maine’s immigrant communities, aspiring to create a “Welcome Home” for all people who live here. Safe, affordable housing plays a foundational role in that. Contrary to what some believe, many members of Maine’s diverse immigrant populations are excluded from many existing rental assistance programs; additionally, many households face discrimination from landlords who refuse to accept certain types of rental assistance.

Maine’s Legislature has an opportunity to address housing disparities and extend crucial relief to low-income renters statewide by easing the housing cost burden, mitigating evictions, and reducing racial gaps in income, education, and health. We need state leaders to make investments in fast, targeted rent relief programs that help people who need it the most. Rent relief has been shown to quickly reduce evictions, which is helpful while homes are being built as the state tries to catch up to the need.

Failure to include rent relief in the budget will only deepen existing inequities, hindering the social and economic progress of Maine; that is not the Way Life Should Be.

Ruben Torres
Tobin Williamson
Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition
Portland

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