AUGUSTA – The significant role affordable housing plays in Maine’s economic growth will highlight the ninth Governor’s Annual Affordable Housing Conference at the Samoset Resort in Rockport on Sept. 10.

Gov. Angus S. King, the keynote luncheon speaker, will address this year’s theme, “Housing for Maine’s Future – the role of housing in planning for Maine’s long-term economic growth.”

The conference also will feature release of a major new housing study by one of Maine’s leading housing experts, Frank O’Hara, and his Planning Decisions firm. The study, “Housing, Jobs, and Economic Development,” will focus on the connections among job growth, the labor force, young person migration, apartment and home construction, and housing costs.

After the introduction of the report and its key findings, Maine State Housing Authority Director Michael Finnegan and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Steven Levesque will lead a panel discussion on the impact of affordable housing on the economy. The panel will feature representatives from industries that have been affected by the cost of housing, such as tourism.

Workshops at the conference will discuss using faith-based initiatives to develop affordable housing; combating the growing problem of NIMBYism (Not-In-My-Back-Yard) that seeks to halt housing development; reducing the dangers of, and meeting new requirements for, lead-based paint; revitalizing communities without contributing to sprawl; and other topics.

Finnegan noted that with leaders from all walks of the housing industry present, the fall referendum with its affordable housing bond initiative is certain to be a topic of conversation and a key part of the conference.

The $12 million bond issue, the first bond issue on the ballot for the Nov. 6 referendum, would provide $2 million for development of transitional and permanent housing for victims of domestic violence and their families. The remaining $10 million would be used to address a variety of housing needs, including more housing for the homeless, more housing for people with mental illness, purchase of land for affordable housing development, and preservation and repair of small apartment properties.

MSHA sponsors the annual housing conference. Tickets are $40, but scholarships are available for individuals who need them.

For more information or to register, call Jody Rollins at 626-4682.