WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) are introducing legislation to address the housing shortage and make it easier for rural workers to live in the communities they serve. The Farmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Act would expand the existing Housing Preservation Grants (HPG) program so rural home owners can create more housing on their property — such as an attached apartment unit or a small home nearby — to be available for rent. Currently, HPGs are underused and receive limited funding that can only cover small costs and repairs. This legislation would optimize the program for rural housing creation, increasing its funding and expanding eligibility for homeowners who want to participate.

The housing crisis has risen dramatically in recent years. A recent study found that Maine is now short more than 80,000 homes, in both urban and rural communities. The study also found Maine faces serious challenges including historic underproduction, aging housing stock, future need, lack of affordability, workforce decrease and a high demand for seasonal homes. The Farmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Act would make it easier for Maine people in rural areas to access housing in the communities where they work.

“Both urban and rural communities across Maine and the nation are facing a serious housing shortage,” said Senator Angus King. “Unfortunately, one law that Congress cannot repeal is the law of supply and demand; limited supply will inevitably increase prices. However, through creative solutions, we can increase the housing supply to help meet demand. I thank Senator Moran for working with me on the Farmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Act — it’s a commonsense, bipartisan step that will help us combat the housing shortage and ensure Maine people and residents across the country can live in the communities where they work. Maine is one big small town connected by long roads, and when I drive those long roads I see potentially available properties in the same communities that are facing crisis levels of housing availability. This bill makes it cheaper and easier for Maine people and residents across the country to renovate their homes or build new ones on their land, and ease the shortfall.”

“There is a high demand for rural housing across Kansas, and it’s important that our housing programs offer creative solutions to address this issue,” said Senator Moran. “Modernizing the Housing Preservation Grants program will help create new avenues for renovating and constructing homes in smaller communities across the country.”

“The Farmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Act of 2024 would provide a significant step forward in addressing workforce housing needs and strengthening our nation’s small farms, the heart of our rural communities,” said Kara Hay, President and CEO of Penquis. “The health of our economy and the wellbeing of American families depend on the availability of affordable housing. I commend Senators King and Moran for introducing this practical solution for our nation’s farmers, farm workers and food system.”

“As a dedicated tiny home builder and advocate, I am thrilled to express my wholehearted support for Senator Angus King’s groundbreaking legislation, the Farmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Act of 2024. This bill represents a transformative step forward in affordable and sustainable housing,” Corinne Watson, CEO of Tiny Homes of Maine. “This grant initiative aligns perfectly with the principles of tiny home living by encouraging the development of ADUs, which can serve as additional housing for family members, rental income sources, or simply as a sustainable alternative to traditional housing. Thank you, Senator King, for championing such a forward-thinking and impactful measure.”

The Farmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Act specifically would:

• Allow recipients to use HPG money to construct additional housing units either within or outside their home.
• Authorize funding for the nationwide program at $200,000,000.
• Offer grants of up to $100,000 to low- or medium-income recipients.
• Require the original home to be 25 years or older.
• Established a required landlord education program to help homeowners learn how to oversee rental housing.
• Create a five-year ownership and occupancy requirement upon completion to prevent homeowners from flipping their property at increased values and prevent developers from taking advantage of the program.

Senator King has long been committed to ensuring Maine people across the state can access safe and affordable housing, as well as working with his colleagues on creative solutions to combat the housing shortage. He recently introduced the bipartisan Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act to create nearly two million new affordable homes across the country — including thousands in Maine. He also worked with his Republican colleagues to improve affordability of rural homes and farms through the Access to Credit for our Rural Economy (ACRE) Act of 2023. Additionally, he has worked to expand affordable workforce housing on Mount Desert Island to support the economic development surrounding Acadia National Park. Earlier this year, he co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to expand affordable housing availability in Maine through redevelopment of historic buildings. He also introduced the bipartisan HELPER Act to unlock home ownership for first responders and teachers. Most recently, he introduced the Manufactured Housing Community Sustainability Act to encourage manufactured home park owners interested in selling their properties to sell to residents rather than developers.

###