Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $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 passed the Senate last week and was approved by the House of Representatives this afternoon, has been signed into law.
“Maine’s housing shortage continues to make it harder for many people in our state to find a safe and affordable place to live,” said Senator Collins. “This funding will improve the quality and safety of affordable and emergency housing for families, seniors, and workers throughout Maine. As Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to secure this critical funding, which will help address one of the most pressing needs in our state.”
Funding secured 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 the development of 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 nearly $1.5 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, FY 2024, and FY 2026. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.
###