Resolve, To Direct the Department of Administrative and Financial Services To Conduct a Surplus Property Inventory

Preamble. Whereas, the State continues to experience a severe shortage of affordable housing; and

Whereas,  the cost of land is one of the biggest barriers to the development of new affordable housing; and

Whereas,  a surplus property inventory has not been conducted by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services for many years; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Department of Administrative and Financial Services to conduct an inventory of surplus state-owned land and structures. Resolved: That the Department of Administrative and Financial Services shall conduct an inventory of surplus state-owned land and structures, pursuant to the authority and process established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 1742, subsection 23. The inventory must include all surplus vacant land, unimproved structures and improved structures. The department shall consult with the Maine State Housing Authority in determining the suitability of land and structures for use in the development of affordable housing, consistent with Title 30-A, section 4754, subsection 3. The department shall report on the outcomes of the inventory and make recommendations regarding affordable housing to the Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing by February 1, 2020.

SUMMARY

This resolve directs the Department of Administrative and Financial Services to conduct an inventory of surplus state-owned land and structures pursuant to the authority and process established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 1742, subsection 23 and to work with the Maine State Housing Authority to determine suitability of identified surplus land and structures for development of affordable housing. It directs the department to report to the Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing regarding the inventory and to make recommendations regarding affordable housing by February 1, 2020.