Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $24,675,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for Maine housing infrastructure projects in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
“Maine continues to face a severe affordable housing shortage,” said Senator Collins. “This funding would help to improve the quality and safety of affordable and emergency housing throughout the state. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY 2026 THUD Appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.
Funding advanced by Senator Collins is as follows:
Auburn Area Infrastructure for Workforce Housing
Recipient: City of Auburn
Project Location: Auburn, ME
Amount Requested: $8,000,000
Project Purpose: To expand the infrastructure needed for housing and economic development.
Down East Community Hospital Workforce Housing
Recipient: Down East Community Hospital
Project Location: East Machias, ME
Amount Requested: $2,190,000
Project Purpose: To support housing units for hospital workforce.
Maine Woods Housing Initiative
Recipient: Northern Forest Center
Project Location: Greenville, ME
Amount Requested: $2,500,000
Project Purpose: To support affordable housing in Piscataquis County.
Indian Township Passamaquoddy Housing Initiative
Recipient: Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township
Project Location: Indian Township, ME
Amount Requested: $2,985,000
Project Purpose: To support affordable housing in Indian Township.
York County Workforce and Senior Housing
Recipient: Sanford Housing Authority Development Corporation
Project Location: Springvale, ME
Amount Requested: $2,500,000
Project Purpose: To develop workforce and senior housing.
York County Community College Workforce and Student Housing
Recipient: York County Community College
Project Location: Wells, ME
Amount Requested: $6,500,000
Project Purpose: To construct housing for year-round use.
In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $1 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.
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