Vacant Maine Schools Could Become Affordable Housing

Proposed bill aims to help towns convert shuttered schools into apartments

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A proposed bill in the Maine legislature would establish a program to help towns turn vacant school buildings into affordable housing apartments. The bill would provide $5 million in annual funding through the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority to assist municipalities with the technical and financial challenges of converting these properties. Dozens of vacant school buildings across the state could potentially be transformed, as Maine faces a growing number of deteriorating schools nearing the end of their lifespan and a critical lack of affordable housing.

Why it matters

Turning vacant school buildings into affordable housing could help address two major issues facing Maine communities - the aging and deterioration of school infrastructure, and the shortage of affordable housing options. This program would provide resources and support to help towns overcome the significant hurdles involved in these types of redevelopment projects.

The details

The bill, LD 2164, was introduced by Rep. Traci Gere, D-Kennebunk. It would establish the Vacant School Housing Conversion Program within the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority. The program would assist municipalities seeking to develop vacant school buildings into residential housing. Many towns have struggled to take on these complex and costly projects on their own, despite the benefits of using existing community assets. The $5 million in annual funding could help unlock housing opportunities across the state.

  • The bill is scheduled for a work session and possible committee vote on Thursday, February 23, 2026.
  • The Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority launched a pilot program in 2025 to help communities redevelop vacant buildings.

The players

Rep. Traci Gere

A Democratic state representative from Kennebunk who introduced the bill to establish the Vacant School Housing Conversion Program.

Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority

A state entity dedicated to assisting communities with the redevelopment of abandoned or unused properties that may be unattractive to private or municipal developers.

Gabe Gauvin

Programs manager for the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority.

Elizabeth Frazier

Representing the Maine Real Estate and Development Association.

Todd Souza

Town manager of Union, Maine, who has struggled to redevelop a vacant school building in his community.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“For communities looking to create housing in the current economic environment, vacant schools offer important benefits. They're already connected to local infrastructure, are easily accessible by road and often 'occupy a warm place in community members' hearts.”

— Rep. Traci Gere, State Representative (pressherald.com)

“The complexities and the hurdles can prove daunting and prevent good projects from happening.”

— Rep. Traci Gere, State Representative (pressherald.com)

“This is a model that has been done before. We're not reinventing the wheel here.”

— Elizabeth Frazier, Representing Maine Real Estate and Development Association (pressherald.com)

“For communities like ours, LD 2164 offers a realistic path forward where few currently exist.”

— Todd Souza, Town Manager, Union, Maine (pressherald.com)

What’s next

If the bill passes the committee and the Maine legislature, it will still need to secure funding through the appropriations process, which could be a challenge in the current tight budget environment.

The takeaway

Transforming vacant school buildings into affordable housing could help Maine address two critical issues - the aging of its school infrastructure and the shortage of affordable housing options. The proposed Vacant School Housing Conversion Program would provide much-needed resources and support to help towns overcome the significant hurdles involved in these types of redevelopment projects.