Maine Governor Signs Bill to Extend Affordable Housing Tax Credit for Residents

Governor Janet Mills signed legislation on April 21, 2026, to extend Maine’s Affordable Housing Tax Credit for an additional eight years, continuing a program she established in 2020 with bipartisan legislative support.

The extension, enacted through LD 2116, preserves one of the state’s largest investments in housing, aimed at addressing rising living costs and ensuring access to safe, affordable homes for Maine residents.

Over the past six years, the tax credit has helped preserve 108 existing affordable housing units across Maine, with an additional 824 units either built or in the pipeline for construction.

Last week, the Town of Washburn utilized the credit to purchase the Salmon Brook Meadows property, preserving 20 units of affordable housing for older adults in Aroostook County.

Governor Mills emphasized the program’s impact during the signing, stating that it has already delivered hundreds of affordable homes for Maine people and that extending it brings the state closer to ensuring every resident can find a safe, affordable place to live.

Representative Ambureen Rana, D-Bangor, the sponsor of LD 2116, highlighted the urgency of the extension, noting that many Mainers are living month-to-month or day-to-day, uncertain about their ability to pay rent and maintain housing.

She added that extending the tax credit will allow continued development of critically needed units, particularly for working families, seniors, and rural communities facing the greatest housing pressures.

Dan Brennan, Director of MaineHousing, affirmed that the extension sustains momentum in bringing more housing online, strengthening communities, and supporting the state’s economic future.

The Affordable Housing Tax Credit was originally created in 2020 as a bipartisan initiative and has since become a cornerstone of Maine’s strategy to combat housing insecurity and support long-term community stability.