AUGUSTA, Maine–Town & Country FCU was among the featured presenters during the Maine Affordable Housing Conference here. CEO David Libby addressed the meeting during a session titled “Building Housing Options for a Changing World.”
The Conference was coordinated by MaineHousing.
Because of the CU’s leadership and active role on the issue of housing and driving initiatives “that promote collaboration and redefine the meaning of home,” Libby was invited to be one of the speakers at this year’s conference. In his presentation before a packed room of housing professionals, advocates, elected and local officials, and others, Libby spoke of the importance of “bringing new ideas to our communities to help people find their ideal homes. When people’s housing needs are met, their overall financial health is better; if housing options are not met here, people will go live someplace else outside of these communities.”
According to Libby, one of the primary reasons why housing needs to be redefined is “because of changing demographics and needs. Much of Maine’s housing stock is outdated and ill-equipped to meet the needs of the future. That’s why it is so important to bring different perspectives together in a collaborative nature to offer a variety of housing options, rather than the one-size-fits-all approach that has been the norm for far too long.”
At Town & Country, Libby highlighted some of the housing options that need to be considered beyond the traditional single-family home, including tiny homes, multigenerational living, co-shared space, recreational vehicles, condos, camps micro-units, auxiliary dwelling units and others. “We need to work towards creating developments and housing designed for the interests and lifestyles of people of all ages. Additionally, options to allow more of our population to stay in their homes as they age means finding ways to make existing homes work, ” Libby explained.
“How do we create a future where people of all ages, life stages, abilities and incomes can choose from a wide menu of housing options?” Libby asked, adding, “the status quo isn’t going to work going forward. We all need to be part of the solution by building new collaborations to create change.”