Housing Justice Maine
We believe housing is a human right and we seek to empower those residents most deeply impacted by an oppressive housing system.
We believe housing is a human right and we seek to empower those residents most deeply impacted by an oppressive housing system.
Our Values
1) Human Right. Our homes, our communities, and the land upon which we live are not a commodity to be exploited for profit, they are precious resources that should be used to meet people’s needs. Like decent universal healthcare, decent and stable housing is a human right; it is the single-most reliable foundation for lasting mental as well as physical human health.
2) Democratic. Land and housing should be collectively-owned and controlled by communities. We reject corporate and Wall Street ownership of land and promote models that increase democratic participation and control over land & housing in our communities. The voices and collective power of people with direct experience of housing injustice must be centered in order for us to move forward. Further, we prioritize the central value of community building through the active development of networks of trust and mutual aid.
3) Sustainable. Land and housing should be developed in a way that is ecologically sustainable for the planet. Patterns of housing development must take a long term view to promote the most sustainable forms of land use, and must also encompass creating sustainable forms of public transportation.
4) Social and Cultural Inclusion. No person, regardless of race, gender, class, sexual orientation, age, ability, medical condition, disability, citizenship or previous criminal or housing record should be denied a home nor excluded by the networks and institutions our communities rely on to survive and thrive. Land and housing should be accessible, guaranteed, quality, and connected to economic, social and cultural networks and institutions. Cultural awareness must also be a priority. We embrace the principle and practice of protecting the cultural dignity of all families: poor, immigrant, LGBTQ, etc.
5) Geographic Inclusion. Housing and land should be affordable and available to people in every community, be it rural, suburban, or metropolitan. Communities are stronger and more resilient with participation from all people. Every jurisdiction must meet its community members’ housing needs. Solutions should be community-based to reflect the unique needs and interests of each region. It’s the responsibility of every community to uphold the housing rights of its people.
6) Land & Tribal Sovereignty. The history of land in Maine and the United States is a history of theft, coercion, and genocide. That history shapes our present moment and the systems of land and housing that we are organizing to change. It is also a history of people’s resistance and assertion of self-determination, generation after generation. We recognize that the work we do to push for housing justice is done on traditional Wabanaki land. The concepts we have for social housing have ties to Wabanaki people’s belief systems. Our work to promote local and indigenous control over land must hold tribal sovereignty at its center.
7) Tax Fairness. Taxes like the income tax, capital gains tax, sales tax, and property tax are how we all pitch in to pay for those things that create a better quality of life for all of us, including housing. Our tax system should ask those who benefit the most from our economy—the wealthiest and profitable corporations—to contribute their fair share. Our tax system should raise enough revenue to ensure every Mainer has a place to call home. Public funds for housing should be invested in a way that maximizes value and benefit to residents and workers, rather than exploited for investor and developer profits.
8) Reparations. The government and wealthiest real estate owners must provide reparations for centuries of racist housing and land policy and indigenous land theft. Our housing policy must actively dismantle and provide restitution for a legacy of racist exclusion and exploitation against black and brown people. Housing, by location and design, must foster the inclusion of its residents, including those currently experiencing homelessness. Historically marginalized communities must lead in decision-making related to housing and community development.
2) Democratic. Land and housing should be collectively-owned and controlled by communities. We reject corporate and Wall Street ownership of land and promote models that increase democratic participation and control over land & housing in our communities. The voices and collective power of people with direct experience of housing injustice must be centered in order for us to move forward. Further, we prioritize the central value of community building through the active development of networks of trust and mutual aid.
3) Sustainable. Land and housing should be developed in a way that is ecologically sustainable for the planet. Patterns of housing development must take a long term view to promote the most sustainable forms of land use, and must also encompass creating sustainable forms of public transportation.
4) Social and Cultural Inclusion. No person, regardless of race, gender, class, sexual orientation, age, ability, medical condition, disability, citizenship or previous criminal or housing record should be denied a home nor excluded by the networks and institutions our communities rely on to survive and thrive. Land and housing should be accessible, guaranteed, quality, and connected to economic, social and cultural networks and institutions. Cultural awareness must also be a priority. We embrace the principle and practice of protecting the cultural dignity of all families: poor, immigrant, LGBTQ, etc.
5) Geographic Inclusion. Housing and land should be affordable and available to people in every community, be it rural, suburban, or metropolitan. Communities are stronger and more resilient with participation from all people. Every jurisdiction must meet its community members’ housing needs. Solutions should be community-based to reflect the unique needs and interests of each region. It’s the responsibility of every community to uphold the housing rights of its people.
6) Land & Tribal Sovereignty. The history of land in Maine and the United States is a history of theft, coercion, and genocide. That history shapes our present moment and the systems of land and housing that we are organizing to change. It is also a history of people’s resistance and assertion of self-determination, generation after generation. We recognize that the work we do to push for housing justice is done on traditional Wabanaki land. The concepts we have for social housing have ties to Wabanaki people’s belief systems. Our work to promote local and indigenous control over land must hold tribal sovereignty at its center.
7) Tax Fairness. Taxes like the income tax, capital gains tax, sales tax, and property tax are how we all pitch in to pay for those things that create a better quality of life for all of us, including housing. Our tax system should ask those who benefit the most from our economy—the wealthiest and profitable corporations—to contribute their fair share. Our tax system should raise enough revenue to ensure every Mainer has a place to call home. Public funds for housing should be invested in a way that maximizes value and benefit to residents and workers, rather than exploited for investor and developer profits.
8) Reparations. The government and wealthiest real estate owners must provide reparations for centuries of racist housing and land policy and indigenous land theft. Our housing policy must actively dismantle and provide restitution for a legacy of racist exclusion and exploitation against black and brown people. Housing, by location and design, must foster the inclusion of its residents, including those currently experiencing homelessness. Historically marginalized communities must lead in decision-making related to housing and community development.
Legislative Priorities for the 131st Legislative Session
Housing Justice Maine's legislative priorities include bills that promote housing as a human right, increase affordable housing, and protect and strengthen tenant's rights. Our policy agenda, including bill summaries, can be downloaded here (PDF).
Housing Justice Maine's legislative priorities include bills that promote housing as a human right, increase affordable housing, and protect and strengthen tenant's rights. Our policy agenda, including bill summaries, can be downloaded here (PDF).
Housing Justice Maine is a coalition that includes the Maine Immigrant Housing Coalition,
Maine People’s Alliance, Raise-Op Housing Cooperative, Dignity First, and Maine Equal Justice.
Maine People’s Alliance, Raise-Op Housing Cooperative, Dignity First, and Maine Equal Justice.