Maine Affordable Housing for Low-Income Seniors Bond, Question 2 (2015)

• Text of measure
• Background
• Support
• Media editorials
• Path to the ballot
• Maine profile

Question 2
Type	Bond issue
Origin	Maine Legislature
Topic	Bonds
Status	Approved a

Maine 2015 ballot
Question 1 - Elections
Question 2 - Senior citizens bond issue
Question 3 - Transportation bond issue

All 2015 U.S. measures

The Maine Affordable Housing for Low-Income Seniors Bond, Question 2 was on the November 3, 2015 ballot in Maine as a legislatively referred bond question, where it was approved.

Voting yes would have issued a $15 million bond for housing construction projects for low-income seniors.

Voting no would have left current funds unchanged. A $15 million bond would not be issued.

Election results

Maine Question 2
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		151695	69.30%
No		67160	30.68%

Election results via: Maine Secretary of State

Introduction

The bond, which was set to run for no longer than 10 years, took effect on December 3, 2015. The measure required at least one housing project be located in each of Maine's 16 counties, with preference given to locations within counties that have access to healthcare services, public transportation and other essential goods. The bond was also be matched by an additional $22,600,000 for housing from private and other sources. A senior was defined as a person 55 years of age or older.

The total estimated cost of the bond was $19,125,000, which combined the $15 million bond and $4,1250,000 in interest.

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title was:

“

Do you favor a $15,000,000 bond issue for the construction of new energy-efficient affordable homes for low-income seniors, the adaptive reuse of structures for homes for low-income seniors and the repair and weatherization of existing homes for low-income seniors, which will create jobs and will be matched by an estimated $22,600,000 in private and other funds?

”

Full text

The full text of the measure was:

“

An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Support the Independence of Maine's Seniors Preamble. Two thirds of both Houses of the Legislature deeming it necessary in accordance with the Constitution of Maine, Article IX, Section 14 to authorize the issuance of bonds on behalf of the State of Maine to provide funds as described in this Act, Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: Sec. 1. Authorization of bonds. The Treasurer of State is authorized, under the direction of the Governor, to issue bonds in the name and on behalf of the State in an amount not exceeding $15,000,000 for the purposes described in section 5 of this Act. The bonds are a pledge of the full faith and credit of the State. The bonds may not run for a period longer than 10 years from the date of the original issue of the bonds. Sec. 2. Records of bonds issued; Treasurer of State. The Treasurer of State shall ensure that an account of each bond is kept showing the number of the bond, the name of the successful bidder to whom sold, the amount received for the bond, the date of sale and the date when payable. Sec. 3. Sale; how negotiated; proceeds appropriated. The Treasurer of State may negotiate the sale of the bonds by direction of the Governor, but no bond may be loaned, pledged or hypothecated on behalf of the State. The proceeds of the sale of the bonds, which must be held by the Treasurer of State and paid by the Treasurer of State upon warrants drawn by the State Controller, are appropriated solely for the purposes set forth in this Act. Any unencumbered balances remaining at the completion of the project in this Act lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of general obligation bonds. Sec. 4. Interest and debt retirement. The Treasurer of State shall pay interest due or accruing on any bonds issued under this Act and all sums coming due for payment of bonds at maturity. Sec. 5. Disbursement of bond proceeds from General Fund bond issue. The proceeds of the sale of the bonds authorized under this Act must be expended as designated in the following schedule under the direction and supervision of the agencies and entities set forth in this section. MAINE HOUSING AUTHORITY Provides funds to be used to leverage an estimated $22,600,000 in private and other funds for low-income households headed by a person 55 years of age or older for the construction of new energy-efficient affordable homes and the adaptive reuse of structures or homes. Preference must be given to homes in locations that have access to health care services and other essential goods and services. At least 4 homes must be located in counties having populations under 100,000. Total $14,500,000 Provides funds to be used to match private and other funds for home repair and weatherization programs that assist low-income seniors. Total $500,000 Sec. 6. Contingent upon ratification of bond issue. Sections 1 to 5 do not become effective unless the people of the State ratify the issuance of the bonds as set forth in this Act. Sec. 7. Appropriation balances at year-end. At the end of each fiscal year, all unencumbered appropriation balances representing state money carry forward. Bond proceeds that have not been expended within 10 years after the date of the sale of the bonds lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of general obligation bonds. Sec. 8. Bonds authorized but not issued. Any bonds authorized but not issued within 5 years of ratification of this Act are deauthorized and may not be issued, except that the Legislature may, within 2 years after the expiration of that 5-year period, extend the period for issuing any remaining unissued bonds for an additional amount of time not to exceed 5 years. Sec. 9. Referendum for ratification; submission at election; form of question; effective date. This Act must be submitted to the legal voters of the State at a statewide election held in the month of November following passage of this Act. The municipal officers of this State shall notify the inhabitants of their respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for holding a statewide election, to vote on the acceptance or rejection of this Act by voting on the following question: "Do you favor a $15,000,000 bond issue for the construction of new energy-efficient affordable homes for low-income seniors, the adaptive reuse of structures for homes for low-income seniors and the repair and weatherization of existing homes for low-income seniors, which will create jobs and will be matched by an estimated $22,600,000 in private and other funds?" The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this question and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within a corresponding square below the word "Yes" or "No." The ballots must be received, sorted, counted and declared in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns made to the Secretary of State in the same manner as votes for members of the Legislature. The Governor shall review the returns. If a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of this Act, the Governor shall proclaim the result without delay and this Act becomes effective 30 days after the date of the proclamation. The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns and copies of this Act necessary to carry out the purposes of this referendum.

”

Background

Maine's Question 2 was introduced into the Maine Legislature by Speaker Mark Eves as LD 1205 and created a $65 million bond for senior housing. The Legislature proceeded to amend the bill and reduced the bond to $15 million.

LD 1205 was a part of Eves' “KeepME Home” initiative, a series of proposals to create affordable housing for seniors and ensure they remain in their own homes. The proposals included property tax relief and plans to create energy-efficient housing for senior citizens.

Support

Officials

• Speaker Mark Eves (D-6)
• Sen. David C. Burns (R-6)
• Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-23)

Groups

• AARP Maine

Arguments in favor

Speaker Mark Eves

Speaker Mark Eves said in a column for The Sun Journal:

“

Voters must still approve the $15 million housing bond in November. The bond will help address a shortage of housing for seniors. Right now there are 9,000 seniors on a wait list for affordable housing. The bond will help build new, energy-efficient housing across the state in both rural and urban areas. It’s a big win for seniors and for their communities.

”

Lori Parham, state director of AARP Maine, said:

“

Today, nearly 9,000 older Mainers are in need of affordable housing options in their communities. If we do nothing, that number will balloon to 15,000 within the next seven years. The lack of affordable housing options impacts all Maine communities and can no longer be ignored.

”

Avesta Housing, a nonprofit that develops affordable housing in New England, issued a release urging residents to vote yes. The group listed the following arguments:

“

Proceeds from the Senior Affordable Housing Bond Will Be Used in Urban and Rural Counties Alike The bond is expected to allow for the construction of an estimated 225 affordable senior homes statewide, with at least four of the properties to be built in Maine’s rural counties. Preference will be given to projects located near health care and other essential goods and services. A portion of the bond’s proceeds will also be dedicated to home repair and weatherization statewide, allowing more than 100 seniors to safely and affordably remain in their own homes. The Senior Affordable Housing Bond Has Strong, Bipartisan Support and Will Create Jobs, Improve Energy Efficiency and Increase Municipal Revenue Building affordable homes for seniors will provide critically needed work for Maine people. The typical project will require 150-200 Maine workers, from contractors and trades professionals, to architects and engineers, to accountants and attorneys. Building material purchases, predominantly from Maine suppliers, are expected to total more than $15 million. Millions of dollars in increased state and local revenue will be generated from income taxes, building supply sales taxes and development-related fees. Properties constructed through the bond will also typically pay full local property taxes. New energy efficient homes will reduce Maine's energy costs and permanently improve our housing stock. The initiative won nearly unanimous, bipartisan support in both houses of the Legislature. It was co-sponsored by House Speaker Mark Eves (D) and Senator David Burns (R), co-chairs of the Legislature’s first-ever Caucus on Aging. A wide range of more than 150 aging, housing, construction and economic development organizations have endorsed the senior affordable housing bond.

”

Senate President Michael Thibodeau

Senate President Mike Thibodeau said:

“

The housing bond will put Mainers back to work. We have some great Maine companies who are eager to build these homes for their fellow Mainers. Maine’s trade industries are still in a slump, and this will invest in construction jobs and building materials, all while building homes for our older Mainers. The Housing Bond is a long-term investment that will have a positive impact in Maine for decades to come.

”

John Hodge of Brunswick Housing and Debora Keller of Bath Housing wrote in a letter to The Forecaster:

“

A recent study identified 9,000 Maine seniors who lack access to safe, affordable homes. Brunswick Housing provides 193 senior apartments. However, another 292 seniors are on a waiting list to get an apartment. The story is similar in Bath, where Bath Housing has 137 senior apartments and 105 seniors waiting for a vacancy. Thousands of Maine seniors, after a lifetime of hard work, are wondering how they can afford to pay their mortgage and maintain their home. On Nov. 3, Maine voters can support Question 2, a $15 million senior affordable housing bond. The bonds will leverage more than $20 million in private investment to construct 225 new safe, efficient, and affordable homes. Municipalities will benefit because all new homes will pay property taxes. As importantly, a portion of the bond will be devoted to home repair and weatherization, allowing other seniors to remain in their own homes. Those improvements will delay or prevent the transfer of residents to other more expensive care.

”

Rev. Mark D. Wilson of First Congregational Church, UCC in Maine wrote in a letter to centralmaine.com:

“

It’s hard to think of anything more fundamental than having a safe, warm place to call home. But we seem to be falling further and further behind in making sure that older Mainers can afford their homes. Our housing stock is too inefficient, too far from critical services and too expensive for our most vulnerable seniors, and we can’t just keep ignoring the problem. Fortunately, Maine voters have a chance to address this problem on Nov. 3. Question 2, the $15 million senior affordable housing bond, will use Maine workers to build safe, affordable, energy-efficient homes in which older Mainers can successfully age in place. I encourage people to vote yes on Question 2.

”

William Keefer, executive director of the Sanford Housing Authority, wrote in a letter to The Journal Tribune:

“

Maine is the oldest state in the nation. We have many seniors who are struggling to maintain safe, affordable homes. A recent study identified 9,000 seniors who lack access to such homes. Thousands of Maine seniors, after a lifetime of hard work, are wondering how they can afford to pay the rent or maintain their home. Fortunately, Maine people can take action to provide seniors with safe and efficient homes they can afford. On Nov. 3, Maine voters can support a $15 million Senior Affordable Housing Bond Question 2. The bond will provide for the construction of 225 such homes. The bonds will leverage more than $20 million in private investment to construct homes. Seniors will pay an affordable portion of their income as rent. This initiative will ultimately benefit all of Maine. Affordable homes will be constructed throughout the state. The construction process will generate work for Maine construction workers, engineers, architects – work the construction industry needs as it slowly emerges from the Great Recession. Construction employment in Maine has still not returned to its 2006 level. A portion of the bond will be devoted to home repair and weatherization, allowing other seniors to remain in their own homes. Those improvements will delay or prevent the transfer of residents to other more expensive care. Municipalities will benefit because all new homes will pay property taxes.

”

Opposition

Ballotpedia did not find arguments against the measure. If you are aware of opposition, please email it to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Media editorials

Support

The Bangor Daily News editorial board wrote:

“

Ninety percent of seniors want to live at home. But the death of a spouse, a disabling medical condition or an unexpected costly house repair can make this impossible for many seniors. Too often, however, when a senior is ready to move to a more manageable, affordable apartment, he or she faces a long waiting list. Already, Maine, the oldest state in the nation, doesn’t have enough affordable housing for its senior residents. There are 9,000 seniors on waiting lists for affordable housing with various community agencies across the state. By 2030, a quarter of Maine’s residents are predicted to be 65 or older, so without action, the waiting lists will only grow longer. Question 2 on the Nov. 3 ballot seeks to lessen this problem by using $15 million in bond money to supplement federal tax credits that encourage developers to build much needed — but not especially lucrative — affordable senior housing. (The problem can’t be fixed with $15 million — the original proposal was for $65 million — but it’s a start.) The bond money is expected to support construction of 225 senior housing units. Preference will be given to projects located near health care facilities and other essential services. Under Question 2, some of the bond money will be targeted to rural areas, where the private market economics don’t necessarily favor affordable housing. A developer can expect a better financial return on a large complex in Bangor or Portland. Not so for six-unit developments in Dexter or Calais, so the state funds would create a needed incentive for such rural projects. More than a third of Maine’s seniors are low income, meaning their income is 80 percent or less of the area’s median income. Nine percent are extremely low income with incomes below 30 percent of the area’s median income.

”

Oppose

Ballotpedia did not find media editorials opposing the measure. If you are aware of an editorial, please email it to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Path to the ballot

See also: Legislatively-referred state statute

According to Article IX, Section 14 of the Maine Constitution, a two-thirds vote in both chambers of the Maine Legislature was required to put the bond issues before voters.

Question 2 was approved by the Maine House of Representatives on June 30, 2015, with 117 representatives voting "yea" and 27 voting "nay." The Maine Senate passed the bond on the same day, but a roll call was not recorded.

June 30, 2015, House vote

Maine House Vote
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		117	81.25%
No		27	18.75%

State profile

Demographic data for Maine
	Maine	U.S.
Total population:	1,329,453	316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):	30,843	3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:	95%	73.6%
Black/African American:	1.1%	12.6%
Asian:	1.1%	5.1%
Native American:	0.6%	0.8%
Pacific Islander:	0%	0.2%
Two or more:	2%	3%
Hispanic/Latino:	1.5%	17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:	91.6%	86.7%
College graduation rate:	29%	29.8%
Income
Median household income:	$49,331	$53,889
Persons below poverty level:	16.6%	11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Maine. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Presidential voting pattern

See also: Presidential voting trends in Maine

Maine voted for the Democratic candidate in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.

Pivot Counties (2016)

Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, eight are located in Maine, accounting for 3.88 percent of the total pivot counties.

Pivot Counties (2020)

In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Maine had seven Retained Pivot Counties and one Boomerang Pivot County, accounting for 4.42 and 4.00 percent of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respectively.

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See also

Suggest a link

• Maine 2015 ballot measures
• List of Maine ballot measures
• 2015 ballot measures

External links

• Legislative Document No. 1205
• Maine 2015 Citizen’s Guide to the Referendum Election