The Gorham Town Council, after a brief discussion on Tuesday, June 3, unanimously voted to adopt an affordable housing committee charter. The board’s Appointments Committee recommended the action and the council voted, 7-0.

The move is aimed at easing the housing challenges for Gorham residents facing rising home costs with limited options. The seven-member committee will consist of town residents, Gorham residential property owners or residential property operators/managers.

The Town Council did not populate the committee this week. Town Councilor Phil Gagnon said he wants to assure that committee members would be required to meet attendance requirements. “We have had that problem with several committees in the past,” Gagnon said.

Town Councilor Seven Siegel said establishing the committee would lead to a better understanding of how to increase affordable housing in the town.

The adoption of the committee charter was based on a similar one in Yarmouth.

“When determining what is affordable, the town’s goal is to not require any household to spend more than 30% of their gross monthly income on housing costs as commonly defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,” the adopted committee’s charter reads.

The committee will work with other town boards and committees along with state and regional organizations to “maintain and encourage the growth of a balanced and diverse supply of affordable housing throughout Gorham.”

The committee is charged with reporting twice annually to the Town Council and to meet “periodically” with the Gorham Economic Development Corp. and also with a local affordable housing development corporation such as, for example, Avesta Housing or Westbrook Housing Authority.

In other action, the Town Council sent a measure to its Ordinance Committee to consider amendments to the Land Use and Development Code to allow for additional curb cuts for accessory dwelling units. Town Council Chair Suzanne Phillips sponsored the item.