Conference to probe housing’s effects on economy

National and local housing officials and state political leaders will discuss the impact of housing growth on Maine’s economy at this year’s annual Governor’s Affordable Housing Conference in Rockport on Thursday, Oct. 5.

Keynote speaker Frank O’Hara, the vice president of Planning Decisions, a private consulting firm with offices in York, South Portland and Hallowell, will address the importance of affordable housing in Maine.

“We expect O’Hara’s report will take a unique look at affordable housing,” said Dale McCormick, director of the Maine State Housing Authority, which is sponsoring the event. “Not only how housing growth impacts taxes and jobs, but how the lack of housing can actually hurt economic growth.”

The public is invited to attend the conference from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.

Other speakers include Gov. John Baldacci; Taylor Caswell, regional director of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development; and Barbara Thompson, director of the National Council of State Housing Agencies, which represents housing finance agencies from all states.

The conference also features workshops on smoke-free rental housing, efforts to prevent lead paint poisoning in children, home energy efficiency, the Statewide Homeless Council and a new low-interest rate energy loan program.

Registration will take place up to the day of the conference. For information, call the Maine State Housing Authority at (800) 452-4668 or visit their Web site at www.mainehousing.org.