07.25.24

Bill to Fund Key Transportation and Housing Programs in Maine Clears Appropriations Committee

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured significant funding and provisions for Maine in the Fiscal Year 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Act.  The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House. 

The measure, which was advanced by vote of 28-1, provides $98.7 billion in discretionary funding.

“Prioritizing and improving Maine’s infrastructure and transportation network is key to strengthening local economies.  Building on previous investments, this legislation provides funding to enhance safety, move people and products more efficiently, and create jobs across the state.  The bill also maintains existing rental assistance for more than 4.5 million households throughout the United States and continues to make meaningful investments aimed at tackling homelessness” said Senator Collins.  “As the Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”

Bill Highlights:

Local Projects: Nearly $132 million for Congressionally Directed Spending projects in Maine.  This includes seven MaineDOT projects totaling $52 million.

Department of Transportation:

  • Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation Funding: $400 million for a competitive rural bridge rehabilitation and replacement program, of which Maine will receive no less than $32.5 million.
  • RAISE Grants: $550 million for RAISE grants, which provide federal assistance for vital transportation projects across the country.  Maine has received at least one TIGER, BUILD, or RAISE grant award in each year of the program’s existence, totaling more than $393 million since the program was established in 2009.
  • Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) Grants: $300 million for discretionary CRISI grants to support projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail.
  • State Maritime Academies (SMAs): $178 million for SMA Operations, which includes $75 for the National Security Multi-Mission Vessels program and associated SMA shore-side infrastructure improvements, benefitting Maine Maritime Academy.
  • Ports and Shipyards: $200 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program and $20 million for the Small Shipyard Grant program.  Maine shipyards that have benefitted from this program include Rockland Marine Corporation, Washburn & Doughty, and Front Street Shipyard. 
  • Aviation Improvement Program (AIP): $4.5 billion, which includes $300 million in discretionary supplemental AIP funding.  The supplemental AIP funding has benefited airports in Bangor, Presque Isle, Old Town, and Wiscasset in prior years.
  • Essential Air Service (EAS): $423 million to support all existing EAS communities, including Augusta, Bar Harbor, Presque Isle, and Rockland.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):

  • Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): $3.3 billion for the CDBG program, which helps state and local governments promote economic development and job creation.
  • Aging-in-Place Home Modifications for Seniors: $40 million for grants for home modifications to enable low-income seniors to “age in place” and remain in their own homes.  The bill also addresses several barriers to greater participation; including streamlining environmental reviews, adjusting the cost per property cap to account for increased labor and materials costs, and encouraging rather than requiring the use of occupational therapists.
  • Youth Homelessness: $107 million for the Youth Homelessness Demonstration program and $25 million for Family Unification Program (FUP) vouchers for youth exiting foster care and at risk of homelessness. 
  • Housing for the Elderly: $1.05 billion, of which $115 million is for the development of new HUD-assisted senior housing properties.
  • Housing During Substance Abuse Recovery: $30 million for states to provide individuals in recovery with stable, temporary housing.  This includes nearly $1.4 million for transitional housing support for substance misuse recovery programs in Maine.
  • Lead Hazard Reduction Grants: $325 million to remediate lead-based paint hazards, helping communities protect children from the harmful effects of lead-based paint poisoning in homes.

This funding and language advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY 2025 THUD Appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.  Committee consideration of legislation is a key part of regular order, which helps our government function efficiently and deliver results for the people of Maine and America.      

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