Portland Chamber eyes program to help renters

PORTLAND – The Portland Chamber of Commerce is worried that high costs associated with moving will make it difficult to attract moderate-wage workers to the state’s largest city.

The Chamber estimates it can cost more than $2,500 upfront for apartment dwellers to relocate to Portland. Average rent for a two-bedroom unit hovers around $850, while moving expenses tack on $500, utility hookups add nearly $100 and security deposits require at least $1,000.

“We realize it’s an issue for people who work in the city and for the city of Portland,” said Peter Ventre, president of the Chamber.

To counterbalance those costs, the Chamber is pursuing a pilot program that would make it easier for some renters to pay their security deposits.

The program would offer a financial guarantee that lets a qualified tenant pay the security deposit over 10 months and reimburse landlords up to $1,000 if the renter fails to pay.

The Chamber currently is working with the city to develop a deposit fund pilot program for municipal employees. Maine Medical Center also would take part in the program. Mercy Hospital is a possible participant.

The Chamber hopes to have the program operational in March. The program still needs money, which likely will come from the Chamber, given the city’s budget problems and the financial difficulties facing hospitals, Ventre said. The Chamber also needs to line up landlords for the program.

“If this is successful,” Ventre said, “we could draw other parties into this. We could expand it.”

According to the Maine State Housing Authority, roughly one-third of Portland-area residents are renters.

Rents have been rising as vacancy rates tumble and demand soars. That trend slowed somewhat over the past year due to the flagging economy and low interest rates that let some former renters buy homes.

Vacancy rates in the city have climbed from about 1 percent or so in 2000 to an estimated 5 percent.

To qualify for the security-deposit program, a single person could make no more than $31,300 and a family of four could make no more than $55,900. Landlords would have to be members of the Chamber in good standing with the city.

There are roughly 250 municipal jobs that pay less than $30,000, according to Larry Mead, the assistant city manager. They include nursing assistants, clerks, administrative assistants and parking garage cashiers.

With roughly 5,000 workers, Maine Medical Center is the city’s largest employer. Up to one-third of its workers may be eligible for the security-deposit program, according to Paula Squires, vice president for human resources.

“Housing is hard for people,” she said. “It’s much higher than they expect when they come in from other parts of the country.”