King, Moran Bill Fights Housing Shortage by Encouraging Homeowners to Expand, Build Properties

February 26, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) are introducing bipartisan legislation to make it easier for rural workers to live in the communities they serve, as well as address the housing shortage across the nation. TheFarmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Actwould expand the existing Housing Preservation Grants (HPG) program so rural home owners can create more housing on their property — such as an attached apartment unit or a small home nearby — to be available for rent. Currently, HPGs are underutilized and receive limited funding that only covers small costs and repairs. This legislation would enhance the program for rural housing creation by increasing its funding and expanding eligibility for homeowners who want to participate.
The housing crisis has risen dramatically in recent years. A2023 studyfound that Maine is now short more than 80,000 homes, in both urban andrural communities. The study also found Maine faces serious challenges including historic underproduction, aging housing stock, future need, lack of affordability, workforce decrease and a high demand for seasonal homes. TheFarmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Actwould make it easier for Maine people in rural areas to access housing in the communities where they work.
“Communities all across Maine and the nation are facing a serious housing shortage,”said Senator Angus King. “Unfortunately, one law we can’t repeal in Congress is the law of supply and demand. And right now our rural communities, in particular, are up against a short supply problem coupled with serious demand — leaving many people without a place to live that is affordable or close to their community. It’s a pleasure to work with Senator Moran of Kansas — who knows all too well the challenges rural communities face — on theFarmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Act. This bipartisan, commonsense effort is another step toward combating the housing crisis and ensuring Maine people can live where they work. By making it more affordable for folks to renovate their homes, or build news one, we can help offset the rural housing shortage.”
“There is a high demand for rural housing across Kansas, and it’s important that our housing programs offer creative solutions to address this issue,”said Senator Moran.“Modernizing the Housing Preservation Grants program will help create new avenues for renovating and constructing homes in smaller communities across the country.”
Specifically, theFarmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Actwould:
Senator King has long been committed to ensuring Maine people across the state can access safe and affordable housing, as well asworking with his colleagueson creative solutions to combat the housing shortage. He recently introduced the bipartisanAffordable Housing Credit Improvement Actto create nearly two million new affordable homes across the country — including thousands in Maine. He also worked with his Republican colleagues to improve affordability of rural homes and farms through theAccess to Credit for our Rural Economy (ACRE) Act of 2023. Additionally, he hasworked to expand affordable workforce housingon Mount Desert Island to support the economic development surrounding Acadia National Park. Last year, he co-sponsoredbipartisan legislationto expand affordable housing availability in Maine through redevelopment of historic buildings. He also introduced the bipartisanHELPER Actto unlock home ownership for first responders and teachers, and introduced theManufactured Housing Community Sustainability Actto encourage manufactured home park owners interested in selling their properties to sell to residents rather than developers.
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