LINKS | Vinalhaven Housing

VHI has been in the media recently! Below are links to recent media items that feature our work and the issues relevant to the housing challenges we face.

Here is a recent edition of Maine Calling on Maine Public Radio that features an interview with VHI Project Director Dylan Jackson:

https://www.mainepublic.org/show/maine-calling/2024-10-28/housing-rental-challenges

Here is an article on Maine Public Radio's website about the Ferry Crew Quarters project:

www.mainepublic.org

Below is a link to a November 12 story on affordable housing in the Midcoast Villager with several quotes from a conversation Board President Elisofon had with author Drew Himmelstein. She also provided background information for the article.

https://www.midcoastvillager.com/issues/housing/how-to-make-housing-affordable-for-forever/article_76546138-a10e-11ef-b9c4-379d133a0df3.html

Below are links to background information about our work.

Zoning and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - LD 2003

https://www.maine.gov/decd/sites/maine.gov.decd/files/inline-files/DECD_LD%202003_digital-%20Feb%202023%20update%20website_0.pdf

This link leads to guidance from the State of Maine to municipalities considering the housing challenge and how to adapt local zoning and land use codes, especially regarding “accessory dwelling units” or ADUs. It refers to Act LD 2003 which is an: “Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions”, signed into law by Governor Mills in April, 2022. Act LD 2003 was designed to reduce regulatory barriers to housing production while preserving local ability to create land use plans and protect sensitive resources. LD 2003 is an important guide for VHI and the Town of Vinalhaven in our efforts to promote and create affordable housing and to win grant awards from Maine Housing and other sources. The Vinalhaven Planning Commission included its benefits in the zoning revisions voted in by the community in November 2023. VHI was able to cite the new zoning ordinance to obtain the permits needed for the Maine Housing grant.

Here is Vinalhaven's Revised Land Use Ordinance: https://www.townofvinalhaven.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif3981/f/uploads/luo_-_10_31_23_final_draft_0.pdf )