Town Councilor Cory Fellows’ recent “housing to-do list” for Scarborough was a thoughtful contribution to the ongoing discussion about housing policy. While we agree with many of his proposed steps, there’s a critical issue that can’t be ignored: housing development is moving full speed ahead while we take nine to 18 months to create a plan. Residents have made it clear they want a slowdown, yet projects continue to break ground. It’s time to hit pause. We need an immediate moratorium on new subsidized housing projects until we have a clear, comprehensive plan in place.
“Affordable” and “Workforce” Housing Are Still Growth
One key issue that needs clarification is what elected officials mean by “affordable” and “workforce” housing. These terms sound like common-sense solutions, but in government terms, they refer specifically to subsidized housing — projects supported by federal, state, or local funds that limit rents based on government-set income thresholds. This is not the same as simply making Scarborough’s housing market more accessible.
Many residents assume “affordable” just means housing priced within reach of the average family. In reality, it means developers receive subsidies — grants, tax breaks, or other financial incentives — to offset construction costs and lower rental prices. These subsidies come from taxpayers, whether through federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits or local tax breaks like Credit Enhancement Agreements (CEAs), which can reduce property taxes for developers for up to 30 years.
Scarborough also funds affordable housing through the Scarborough Housing Alliance, which provides grants from impact fees paid by developers. These funds could otherwise help cover town and school operating expenses, reducing the tax burden for all residents. Put simply: when the town subsidizes affordable and workforce housing, taxpayers foot the bill.
What’s the Real Cost?
Before moving forward with any more subsidized housing projects, Scarborough residents deserve transparency. We need a full accounting of the public funds committed to these projects over the years. How much has the town spent? What has been the return on investment? Right now, it’s difficult to get clear numbers from town accounting reports, and that’s unacceptable.
We also need to ask: Who are we building for? Do we have an obligation to provide subsidized housing for all of Cumberland and York County? For all of Maine? Housing demand is infinite, but Scarborough’s resources are not. Taxpayers deserve a say in how those resources are allocated.
Housing for Employees? Nice Idea, But Unrealistic
Councilor Fellows notes that the lack of “attainable” housing makes it harder to hire and retain employees, including police and firefighters. While it would be ideal for everyone who works in Scarborough to live here, that’s not how housing markets function. A two-bedroom apartment in Scarborough costs more than a similar one in Westbrook or Biddeford — this is a reality of supply and demand. Expecting the town to subsidize housing for its employees, or selected groups of them, is neither practical nor sustainable.
We Need a Moratorium on Growth Now
The top concern among Scarborough residents continues to be unchecked housing growth. Adding more subsidized housing — even under the banner of affordability or workforce development — is still growth. And without a clear plan, we risk overcommitting public resources to projects that don’t serve the town’s best interests.
A temporary halt on new subsidized housing projects is the only way to ensure that Scarborough moves forward with a deliberate, well-planned approach to housing. Let’s take a step back and make sure our growth is smart, sustainable, and aligned with what residents actually want.
Steve Hanly and Susan Hamill are Scarborough residents and members of SMARTaxes, Scarborough Maine Advocates for Reasonable Taxes.