Re: “In Maine, housing crisis has put down roots” (Aug. 14, Page A1):

Greater Portland’s ongoing housing crisis has been caused by three headline actions:

• Decades of poor decision making by government, dominated by reactive legislation by well-meaning but uninformed politicians.

• Regulatory overreach by local, state and federal lawmaking, dramatically raising construction costs and/or prohibiting new construction in otherwise optimal neighborhoods.

• A loud minority demanding enactment of rent “stabilization,” crushing the economic viability of new-housing construction.

I believe the only solution is to establish a comprehensive, zero-based rethink of zoning; building code and regulations, and tenant protections that create sustainable, long-term growth in truly affordable housing. There are many stress-tested models to investigate in cities such as Oakland, California, Minneapolis and Portland, Oregon.

Portland can have it all – plentiful, affordable housing and desirable neighborhoods – if its citizens and elected officials are willing to find common ground, working together to develop a comprehensive solution.

Geoffrey Emanuel
Falmouth

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