As an elder law attorney, I know that the No. 1 concern and goal of my clients is that they be able to “age in place” and remain safely in their homes and communities. However, for many Maine seniors this is not possible.

Older adults across Maine are living in unsafe housing that they can no longer physically or financially maintain and that no longer meets their physical needs. Safe, affordable and available housing for Maine seniors is very much needed. A recent study shows a 9,000-person gap between available, affordable senior housing units and demand, with a three- to five-year waiting list.

Believing that this senior housing shortage is unacceptable, this past November our Legislature, with broad bipartisan support and 70 percent of Maine voters, approved a $15 million senior housing bond to be used for weatherization, repair and construction of new senior housing.

The Maine State Housing Authority stands ready to review proposals and award contracts, but our governor has again refused to give his final approval to this voter-approved bond.

I am writing on behalf of the 9,000 seniors who need help to remain safely at home and in their communities. On their behalf I ask the governor to put people above politics, especially elderly people above politics, and to please approve the release of the senior housing bond funds.

I realize the governor has “sworn at” and “sworn off” reading newspapers, so I call on his staff and policy advisers to bring this matter to his attention. Carry on with welfare reform, carry on with tax reform, carry on with town hall meetings, but the governor should not get carried away with ignoring the will of 70 percent of Maine voters who approved this senior housing bond. The governor should realize that today it is “they” who are elderly; tomorrow, it is us.

John E. Nale, Esq.

elder law attorney

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