This guest column, written by Zendelle Bouchard was originally published in the Portland Press Herald.
What is the biggest problem Mainers face? According to Bobby Charles, it’s crime. That’s his number one priority, according to his website. Apparently, he hasn’t heard that Maine has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the country and is very low in property crimes as well.
Hannah Pingree knows that the real challenge facing Mainers is affordability, and a big part of that is the cost of housing. One of the major factors contributing to the housing crisis is the out-of-state corporations and private equity firms that are buying up single-family homes, multifamily buildings and mobile home parks.
Here in Sanford, the City Council had to take action to protect mobile park residents whose lot rents had more than doubled over the past few years, putting seniors on fixed incomes at risk of homelessness. The companies buying up these parks do not care about the people who live there, only the profit margin.
Hannah Pingree is the only candidate for governor who is committed to taking on corporate greed to address this issue, with a plan that includes greater support for resident ownership of mobile parks; holding private equity firms accountable with stronger tenant protections; leveraging the state land bank to redevelop older housing stock; and leveling the playing field for Mainers to better compete with out-of-state corporations in purchasing residential properties.
Hannah Pingree is the fighter that Maine families and seniors need. Please join me in voting for her on Nov. 3.
