The District Five Insider is a newsletter about the big decisions making their way through the City Council, what they mean for District Five, and how you can get involved. Enter your email and click subscribe to receive this newsletter in your mailbox.

Tuesday January 28, 2025

Portland Deserves a Fair Tax System—Here’s How We Get There

Last night, the City Council held a sobering discussion about the challenges facing Portland’s FY26 budget. Proposed state budget cuts to General Assistance (GA) and shelter funding will force millions of dollars in costs onto Portland taxpayers. Without meaningful support from the state, these shortfalls will disproportionately hit Portland’s seniors, low-wage workers, and middle-income families—the very people already squeezed by the high cost of living, stagnant wages, and decades of policies that prioritize profits over people. As the largest regional provider of emergency shelter, Portland is shouldering the burden of Maine’s housing and homelessness crises. Our regressive property tax system only makes matters worse, forcing those least able to pay to subsidize the consequences of these systemic failures.

The Problem with Property Taxes

Portland’s property tax system levies the same rate regardless of income or ability to pay. For wealthy property owners, this tax is an inconvenience; for low-to-moderate-income families, it can be devastating. Wealthier residents benefit from rising property values, while renters and homeowners on fixed incomes often see their housing costs skyrocket, driving displacement and economic insecurity.

Meanwhile, we’ve seen little movement on state-level tax reforms to address this inequity, though Maine Municipal Association, which advocates for municipalities on issues, is pushing hard for relief through its legislative platform. Proposed bills to increase state reimbursement for General Assistance and homestead exemptions could provide some relief to property taxpayers, but Portland needs a solution that works for us today.

A Local Solution: Expand P-STEP

Portland’s Senior Tax Equity Program (P-STEP) provides property tax rebates to low-income seniors, including renters. It’s a vital but underutilized program, with just 322 participants last year. Compare that to the over 6,000 Portland residents who received the state’s Property Tax Fairness Credit (PTFC), and it’s clear we’re leaving relief on the table.

Expanding P-STEP offers a pathway to fairer taxation while addressing our budget challenges. Here’s how:

  • Improved Outreach: Many eligible seniors, especially renters, aren’t aware of P-STEP. Better outreach targeting renters directly could dramatically increase participation.
  • Phased Expansion: Over time, we can amend P-STEP to include all income-eligible residents, not just seniors. This expansion would effectively create a local progressive tax system, where rebates offset the tax burden for those least able to pay.

By ensuring 100% uptake of P-STEP and gradually broadening its scope, we can build a fairer, more sustainable tax system while protecting Portland’s most vulnerable residents.

Expanding P-STEP isn’t just about tax fairness, it’s about standing up to a system that prioritizes profits over people. It’s about saying “no” to austerity and “yes” to investing in our community. It’s about making sure seniors can age in place, families can afford groceries, and our city’s future is not at the mercy of regressive tax structures.

State-Level Advocacy: Join the Conversation

The challenges we face require bold solutions. Expanding P-STEP is one way Portland can lead the way on local tax reform, but we also need to continue advocating for state-level changes to bring more fairness and equity to Maine’s tax system.

Portland’s Legislative delegation and the City Council’s Legislative and Nominating Committee, on which I sit, are actively working to address tax fairness at the state level. We’re engaging with our state leaders to push for reforms that could provide much-needed relief for property taxpayers, including increasing state reimbursement for General Assistance and expanding support for our schools.

I encourage constituents to tune into our upcoming conversation with legislative leaders this Friday morning. These discussions are critical for advocating for the state-level support Portland needs, and your input matters.

Together, we can build a city where no one is forced to carry more than their fair share.

Send me an email and let me know your thoughts on this approach and how we can work together to ensure that fair taxation remains a top priority for Portland.

ksykes@portlandmaine.gov 207-558-5764

Notice: Under Maine law, documents – including e-mails and text messages – in the possession of public officials or city employees about government business may be classified as public records. There are very few exceptions. As a result, please be advised that what is written in a text message or e-mail could be released to the public and/or the media if requested.

Welcome to the District Five Insider, a newsletter about the big decisions making their way through the City Council, what they mean for District Five, and how you can get involved. Enter your email and click subscribe to receive this newsletter in your mailbox.

Sunday January 26, 2025

2024 Annual Report to Constituents

Dear Neighbors,

Serving as your District 5 City Councilor this past year has been an incredible journey. As I reflect on my first year in office, I’m proud to share my 2024 Annual Report with you—a detailed look at the progress we’ve made together and the foundation we’ve laid for the work ahead.

This year, we focused on the issues that matter most to working families: housing affordability, public safety, and protecting the commons. From reforming short-term rental regulations to creating pathways for permanent, affordable housing, we’ve taken meaningful steps to address Portland’s housing crisis. At the same time, we invested in public spaces—revitalizing Riverton Pool, expanding trails at Evergreen Cemetery, and supporting programs at the Burbank Library to ensure safe, welcoming spaces for all residents.

But 2024 wasn’t without its challenges. The homelessness and opioid crises remain pressing issues, requiring solutions rooted in compassion and evidence based public health policy. We’ve fought to defend Portland’s public health initiatives, and introduced a syringe redemption program and expanded housing and treatment access, while calling on county and state leaders to step up and share the responsibility. Local taxpayers cannot shoulder this burden alone, and we must continue to push for the resources needed to sustain these life-saving programs.

At the same time, Portland’s traffic safety crisis demands urgent action. Fatal crashes and unsafe corridors like Forest Avenue highlight the need for systemic improvements to protect pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. Addressing these challenges requires a shift in how we design and manage our streets, prioritizing safety and equity for all residents.

In this report, you’ll find updates on key initiatives and the progress we’ve made, from investing in traffic safety and climate resilience to supporting our public workers. These achievements are a testament to the power of collaboration between residents, city staff, and community partners.

Thank you for your advocacy and engagement this year. What we focus on will grow, and I’m excited for the work ahead as we continue building a Portland where everyone can thrive.

2024 Annual Report to ConstituentsDownload

ksykes@portlandmaine.gov 207-558-5764

Notice: Under Maine law, documents – including e-mails and text messages – in the possession of public officials or city employees about government business may be classified as public records. There are very few exceptions. As a result, please be advised that what is written in a text message or e-mail could be released to the public and/or the media if requested.

Welcome to the District Five Insider, a newsletter about the big decisions making their way through the City Council, what they mean for District Five, and how you can get involved. Enter your email and click subscribe to receive this newsletter in your mailbox.

Wednesday November 27, 2024

Defending Portland’s Green New Deal: Building a City That Works for Everyone

Portland’s Green New Deal (GND) is a bold initiative passed by voters in 2020 to tackle the housing crisis, advance environmental sustainability, and protect workers’ rights. At its core is a commitment to equity through inclusionary zoning, which ensures that new developments contribute to affordable housing. Yet, as predictable as the tides, some developers and business groups have criticized this policy, claiming it hinders progress. Let’s break down why these critiques miss the mark—and why the GND is essential for Portland’s future.

The Case for Inclusionary Zoning

Inclusionary zoning requires that developments with 10 or more units dedicate 25% to affordable housing, or contribute a fee to Portland’s Housing Trust Fund. Critics claim this discourages development, but since the GND’s enactment in 2020, Portland has approved and built more affordable housing units. Developers like Tom Landry argue that without these requirements, they “could have” built more. The question is, more of what?

Would it be more luxury condos with sky-high price tags that working families can’t afford? More second and third homes for the wealthy, that sit empty for half the year, while the people who make Portland run day-to-day are forced out of the city? The idea that simply building more market-rate housing will solve the housing crisis ignores reality. For years, we had development focused on high-end units, with the promise that affordability would eventually follow. It didn’t. Portland deserves better than the fantasy of “trickle-down” housing.

Incentives Aren’t the Problem

Some critics suggest that developers need more incentives to build affordable housing. Let’s be honest: the profit margins on luxury condos and high-end apartments are already incentive enough. Developers aren’t charities—they build where they can maximize returns. Inclusionary zoning makes them consider community impact. The suggestion from the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce to reverse these requirements rests on a flawed assumption: that developers will voluntarily create affordable housing. History has shown otherwise. Without regulations, the market skews toward high-end projects, leaving working families behind.

Addressing Hotels vs. Housing

Some critics have pointed out the imbalance in how Portland incentivizes hotels over housing, and they are right to do so. However, this issue is not an indictment of the Green New Deal itself. Hotel inclusionary zoning was never part of the GND and has not been updated to meet the higher standards set by it. The disparity lies in the fact that hotel impact fees remain much lower than those applied to residential developments, which creates an uneven playing field and encourages hotel construction over housing. The six-month hotel moratorium that Councilor Ali and I championed gives the Council the time to address this gap and align our policies to prioritize housing development.

Raising the Standards

Before the Green New Deal, Portland’s outdated building codes allowed developers to cut corners, producing cheaply constructed, energy-inefficient buildings. These homes burden working families with high heating bills and worsen our city’s carbon footprint. The GND changed that, mandating modern energy efficiency standards and better materials. These standards save families money, reduce emissions, and ensure new buildings align with Portland’s commitment to sustainability. Developers lament these additional costs, but we must ask: Who pays the price for substandard construction? It’s not them—it’s us.

A Nuanced Approach to Development

Critics who call for the GND to be repealed entirely reflect a reactionary stance rather than a constructive one. Sweeping statements like these overlook the nuance required to address Portland’s housing crisis. Portland’s growth is not a zero-sum game; thoughtful adjustments to the GND and complementary efforts like my proposal for a Mayoral Task Force on Social Housing, which will come before the Housing and Economic Development Committee in early 2025, can help us achieve a balanced, equitable, and sustainable city.

Rejecting False Choices

The media loves to frame these debates as “regulation versus growth” or “affordability versus progress.” But these false choices oversimplify a complex issue. The GND isn’t about choosing between housing or sustainability, between development or fairness—it’s about creating a system that balances these priorities.

Policies like inclusionary zoning, ReCode’s upzoning for density, and social housing aren’t competing solutions; they’re complementary tools in addressing Portland’s housing needs. By embracing nuance and rejecting black-and-white narratives, we can develop solutions that reflect the complexity of the challenges we face.

Defending Portland’s Vision

Make no mistake: a fight is coming. The champions of corporate greed are eyeing 2025 as the year to dismantle the Green New Deal. But they’ll have to contend with me—and with everyone who believes in a Portland that works for all of us. Now is not the time to turn back or abandon a framework that has already made real progress. Together, we’ve laid the foundation for a sustainable and equitable city. It’s up to all of us to protect that vision and keep building toward it.

ksykes@portlandmaine.gov 207-558-5764

Notice: Under Maine law, documents – including e-mails and text messages – in the possession of public officials or city employees about government business may be classified as public records. There are very few exceptions. As a result, please be advised that what is written in a text message or e-mail could be released to the public and/or the media if requested.

Welcome to the District Five Insider, a newsletter about the big decisions making their way through the City Council, what they mean for District Five, and how you can get involved. Enter your email and click subscribe to receive this newsletter in your mailbox.

Friday November 8, 2024

Building Community Power: Small Steps Toward a Stronger, United Portland

As we step into a new chapter after the 2024 election, Portland has an incredible opportunity to lead the way with a municipal green labor movement. With new labor allies Wes Pelletier and Ben Grant on the City Council, and with steadfast Portland representatives like Grayson Lookner elected to the state legislature, we’re uniquely positioned to make big gains for working people, to shape a future in Portland that values both workers and the environment.

The timing is crucial. With new zoning regulations adopted through ReCode this week, Portland is on the brink of a building boom that will bring a surge of jobs and an infusion of workers into our economy. Our strong environmental and regulatory standards mean that what we build in Portland will be sustainable, setting a precedent for what a green economy can look like. This is more than just growth; it’s an investment in a future where we prioritize both economic stability and environmental responsibility.

While national party politics distract with culture wars, leaving working people feeling desperate and hollow when promises aren’t kept, the labor movement remains rooted in solidarity and progress. We’re not interested in fighting symbolic battles. We’re here to organize around real, tangible improvements for Portland workers—better wages, safer work environments, and a sustainable more livable urban landscape.

Even against national headwinds, our unions have proven that standing together matters. Union-backed candidates and tireless organizers helped advance the pro-labor majority in the Maine Legislature. This shows that collective action brings real change and that Portland is primed to lead. Every workplace we organize, every fair contract we secure, and every sustainable building we construct strengthens our community.

Let’s harness this momentum by setting aside the divisions of identity politics and focusing on what truly unites us. Let’s listen to the real needs of our neighbors, and do the work to foster a community where everyone feels valued.

Start small: attend the District 5 neighborhood meeting on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 6:00 PM at Casco Bay High School. Child care will be provided to make sure everyone can participate. Bring your ideas, strike up conversations with neighbors, and listen to their concerns without judgment. Take part in local events that celebrate Portland’s progress, like the Pumpkin-Cycle at Payson Park tomorrow, Sat. 11/9 from 10AM-1PM. Bring your slumpin’ pumpkins to compost them! Last year you helped us divert 3,000 lbs of pumpkin waste from the landfill. This year we’ll have a smashing pumpkins section, and the Eighty-8 Donut truck will be there to sweeten the deal.

Every step we take in building a sustainable, fair economy brings us closer to a Portland where we all have a stake in the future. By focusing on what unites us, we can build a Portland where everyone feels heard and valued.

ksykes@portlandmaine.gov 207-558-5764

Notice: Under Maine law, documents – including e-mails and text messages – in the possession of public officials or city employees about government business may be classified as public records. There are very few exceptions. As a result, please be advised that what is written in a text message or e-mail could be released to the public and/or the media if requested.

Welcome to the District Five Insider, a newsletter about the big decisions making their way through the City Council, what they mean for District Five, and how you can get involved. Follow to subscribe, and receive this newsletter in your mailbox.

Tuesday November 5, 2024

One Big Win for Portland: ReCode Unanimously Passes

In last night’s Portland City Council meeting, we reached a monumental milestone with the unanimous passing of ReCode, Portland’s comprehensive zoning overhaul. This is a big win for our community, marking a significant step forward in creating a Portland that balances growth with the needs of all residents.

Two essential amendments were introduced to ensure ReCode respects Portland’s historic, cultural, and Indigenous heritage through a more inclusive lens. The first amendment broadens preservation standards to recognize and protect sites with Indigenous and historically marginalized significance, integrating an anti-racist approach that shifts focus beyond merely architectural aesthetics, ensuring that new developments consider and honor Portland’s diverse histories. A second amendment introduced a Certificate of Economic Hardship, aimed at supporting property owners—particularly those in historically significant yet economically vulnerable areas—by offering a pathway to preservation without imposing unsustainable financial burdens. This approach ensures our growth is both culturally respectful and equitable​​​.

Two More Quick Hits:

Prioritizing Working-Class Neighborhoods

In a major stand for Riverton, I advocated to hold back on extensive upzoning that could risk the affordability of housing in this naturally affordable, working-class neighborhood. Riverton provides critical housing options for middle- and working-class families—homes that, while priced between $300,000 and $500,000, remain more accessible than market-rate rentals or condos. Protecting Riverton from unrestricted development without affordability safeguards helps shield residents from potential displacement and gentrification​​.

While maintaining protections for Riverton, we passed an amendment to streamline the permitting process within Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) zones, placing greater emphasis on areas well-supported by infrastructure like sidewalks and public transportation. This strategic focus aligns with Portland’s goals of directing growth to areas where it will be most efficient and sustainable.

Hotel Moratorium Passed Alongside ReCode

To complement ReCode’s focus on housing, we also passed a 180-day hotel moratorium to redirect resources and land toward residential development. Since 2019, hotel projects have created hundreds of jobs that often pay wages insufficient for workers to afford housing here in Portland. Our current policies have fallen short in ensuring that these projects contribute adequately to affordable housing. This moratorium will allow us the time needed to review and strengthen our inclusionary zoning requirements for hotels, so we can better meet the housing needs of our community.

Your Vote Matters Today!

Today is a crucial day for Portland’s future. I endorse Jess Falero and Grayson Lookner for the At-Large City Council seat. Additionally, I encourage a NO vote on Question A to protect workers’ pay and a YES vote on Question B to establish stricter regulations on short-term rentals to protect Portland’s housing stock and keep our city affordable.

Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. For details on polling locations, visit the Portland City Clerk’s website.

Thank you for being an engaged part of our city’s progress! Together, we’re building a Portland that values its history, protects working-class communities, and embraces sustainable growth.

ksykes@portlandmaine.gov 207-558-5764

Notice: Under Maine law, documents – including e-mails and text messages – in the possession of public officials or city employees about government business may be classified as public records. There are very few exceptions. As a result, please be advised that what is written in a text message or e-mail could be released to the public and/or the media if requested.

Welcome to the District Five Insider, a newsletter about the big decisions making their way through the City Council, what they mean for District Five, and how you can get involved. Follow to subscribe, and receive this newsletter in your mailbox.

Tuesday October 22, 2024

One Big Thing: Balancing Public Health and Community Concerns

Last night, the City Council made an important decision to protect public health while acknowledging the valid concerns of our residents regarding needle waste.

The Council voted not to move forward with Mayor Dion’s resolution to implement a restrictive 1:1 needle exchange ratio. While the intention behind the proposal was to address concerns about improperly discarded needles, this proposal would have undermined the successful work of Portland’s harm reduction programs, making it harder for people who use drugs to access clean syringes and increasing the likelihood of disease transmission.

Instead, we took a step forward by appropriating $936,479 in opioid settlement funds to three critical public health programs:

  1. Syringe Redemption Program – This innovative buy-back pilot, which has been successful in other communities, will encourage the return of used syringes, helping to reduce needle waste across the city.
  2. On-Peninsula Methadone Treatment Program – Bringing treatment closer to those in need, making it more accessible for Portland’s residents struggling with opioid addiction.
  3. Day Space for Unhoused Residents – A safe, supportive environment where people can access essential services, including harm reduction resources.

These programs will strengthen our city’s harm reduction efforts, keep our streets safer, and help those suffering from opioid use disorder get the treatment they need. By rejecting a harmful 1:1 exchange policy, we ensure that Portland remains a compassionate, effective leader in public health.

Two More Quick Hits:

1. Portland’s Green New Deal in Action

At the meeting, we received the Fossil Fuel Infrastructure Report from Sustainability Director Troy Moon. This annual report highlights Portland’s progress in transitioning to green building technologies, demonstrating how our Green New Deal is improving environmental outcomes while also ensuring economic equity.

Notable projects like Portland Commons and The Casco have been developed without reliance on fossil fuels, setting a new standard for sustainable construction in our city. These projects show that it’s possible to balance development with strong environmental and social standards.

It’s critical that we defend these gains against efforts to roll back inclusionary zoning protections, which ensure that Portland remains affordable for all its residents. By aligning climate action with housing equity, our Green New Deal is a model for progressive cities across the country, and we will continue pushing forward to protect both our environment and our community’s affordability​.

2. Kiwanis Pool Project Funded and Approved

Great news for our community! The Council passed a $5.63 million appropriation to fund the Kiwanis Pool replacement project. This funding comes from a mix of $4.63 million in interest income earned from the city’s investment of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and an anticipated $1 million in private donations. These funds will ensure we move forward with modernizing the pool, which will include ADA accessibility improvements, making it a welcoming and inclusive facility for all Portland residents. After delays due to higher-than-expected costs, we have secured the necessary resources to get the project back on track​.

Save the Date: District 5 Community Meeting

I’m excited to invite you to our next District 5 in-person meeting!

  • Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2024
  • Time: 6:00 PM
  • Location: Casco Bay High School Great Space

Stay tuned for more details. This will be a chance to connect, discuss local issues, and make your voice heard. I look forward to seeing you there!

ksykes@portlandmaine.gov 207-558-5764

Notice: Under Maine law, documents – including e-mails and text messages – in the possession of public officials or city employees about government business may be classified as public records. There are very few exceptions. As a result, please be advised that what is written in a text message or e-mail could be released to the public and/or the media if requested.

Welcome to the District Five Insider, a newsletter about the big decisions making their way through the City Council, what they mean for District Five, and how you can get involved. Follow to subscribe, and receive this newsletter in your mailbox.

Friday October 18, 2024

Exciting Developments at Trolley Park, Evergreen Cemetery, and Beyond

I’m thrilled to share some updates about the incredible work happening in District 5. Last week, we made significant strides in enhancing the beauty and accessibility of Trolley Park. Staff members from all City departments gathered for a morning of outdoor service and education.

Staff from the City’s needle exchange program taught everyone how to safely pick up any used needles we might find, helping to reduce fear and stigma around this important public health program. We did a park cleanup, planted a meadow of native plants and made improvements to the trails. This project is more than just a landscaping effort; it’s part of our broader goal to create sustainable, inviting spaces for all residents to enjoy.

We’re also making progress on the construction of the much-anticipated mountain bike skills park! This will transform a forgotten corner of Trolley Park into an active hub, encouraging more people to explore the park, get outside, and engage in healthy activities. You can read more about this in the latest Forecaster article, which highlights how this new feature will bring even more energy to this area.

Last month, I had the honor of attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a newly accessible trail behind Evergreen Cemetery. This initiative, a joint project between the City and Portland Trails, ensures that more of our community can enjoy this beautiful space, making it easier for everyone, including those with mobility challenges, to navigate and appreciate the peaceful surroundings. It’s a step toward creating more inclusive green spaces across District 5.

Finally, I want to give a big shout-out to Noah Querido and the Portland Youth Corps. Noah joined us at the Trolley Park event last week and told me all about the work these talented young people have been doing in our neighborhoods, especially North Deering Park, where they’ve put in new trails. If you’d like to learn more about this inspiring group and their work, check out this video:

The Portland Youth Corps program offers immense benefits, not only for the parks they help improve but also for the participants themselves. By learning new skills, gaining hands-on experience, and contributing to their community, these young leaders are making a meaningful impact on our city.

For more details on last week’s staff event and other park activities in District 5, take a look at the city’s latest newsletter update here: Parks & Recreation September 2024 Update.

Let this beautiful season draw you into our parks and trails, where you can connect with nature and the vibrant colors of fall. I look forward to seeing you all in our parks as these exciting projects unfold!

ksykes@portlandmaine.gov 207-558-5764

Notice: Under Maine law, documents – including e-mails and text messages – in the possession of public officials or city employees about government business may be classified as public records. There are very few exceptions. As a result, please be advised that what is written in a text message or e-mail could be released to the public and/or the media if requested.

Welcome to the District Five Insider, a newsletter about the big decisions making their way through the City Council, what they mean for District Five, and how you can get involved. Follow to subscribe, and receive this newsletter in your mailbox.

Friday, October 11, 2024

Question B: Council Initiated changes to Portland’s Short-Term Rental Registration Requirements

Voting has begun in Portland, and many people are asking me about Question B on the municipal ballot.

This amendment to our Short Term Rental (STR) ordinance was passed by the Council but must be ratified by voters. It complements a number of other changes to our STR regulations passed by the Council in August. .

What are the changes?

1. Tightens registration requirements for owner-occupied STRs by requiring proof that the unit is the host’s primary residence. Hosts must supply the city with a) proof that they qualify for Maine’s “Homestead Exemption” at the unit, or b) Federal Tax Return (with financial information redacted) showing primary residence at the unit.

Why does this matter? Portland strictly limits the number of non-owner occupied STR licenses we issue, but we do not limit owner-occupied licenses. Stronger registration requirements will decrease the number of STRs being falsely registered as “owner-occupied” to get around the limit.

2. Adds registration requirements for Peaks Island short-term rentals, and requires the City to verify whether a unit is seasonal or year-round.

Why does this matter? The Council has established a new cap on the lumber of Peaks Island short-term rentals licenses we issue. The cap does not apply to seasonal properties. Question B requires the City to verify if Peaks Island STRs are year-round or seasonal when registering them, so we know if they’re subject to the cap or not.

3. Requires hosts of STRs in condominiums to provide proof that use of the unit as a short-term rental is allowed under the condo association’s governing documents.

Why does this matter? Current documentation requirements are too weak to enforce this proactively.

You can review the full text of the changes here.

ksykes@portlandmaine.gov 207-558-5764

Notice: Under Maine law, documents – including e-mails and text messages – in the possession of public officials or city employees about government business may be classified as public records. There are very few exceptions. As a result, please be advised that what is written in a text message or e-mail could be released to the public and/or the media if requested.

Welcome to the District Five Insider, a newsletter about the big decisions making their way through the City Council, what they mean for District Five, and how you can get involved. Follow to subscribe, and receive this newsletter in your mailbox.

Thursday, Sept 12, 2024

The only public health risk from needles is that we might not give out enough of them.

As a City Councilor and former healthcare educator, I have a duty to speak out against Mayor Dion’s dangerous and irresponsible opinion piece in the Press Herald today that spreads misinformation and puts members of the intravenous drug-using community at increased risk. 

Portland has a syringe distribution program because it is good public health practice, not “group think.” Worldwide, over one million people die every year from deadly infections caused by the reuse of needles, costing the public billions of dollars in treatment and end-of-life care. Many also suffer from limb-threatening skin infections and sepsis.

Having good needle distribution coverage is a key component of an effective disease prevention program. HIV and hepatitis B and C treatment is so costly (on the order of millions of dollars per patient) that even one additional infection can negate the cost savings of having a program at all. It’s a fragile equation: a syringe services program with an annual budget of $500,000 needs to prevent 3 new HIV infections per year to be cost-saving. To do that, we need to make sure everyone who needs a syringe can get one. No questions asked.

No one likes seeing needles on the ground. They are a reminder that people are hurting, and that there is a raging opioid epidemic happening all around us. But having a well-run needle distribution program like we have here actually improves needle disposal, because it comes along with public support for education, disposal, and needle boxes. If we are seeing increased needle waste, there are more effective interventions we can take to address this. Reducing the number of needles we give out is not one of them. Expert consensus on best practices for needle distribution programs is to have no limits on the number of needles given out, so that people can take extra needles back to members of their community who may not be able to access the program themselves. 

The fact that we freely distribute a lot of needles in Portland, during an opioid crisis, is a very good thing, not a problem. Trying to arbitrarily shrink this program down to a 1:1 clean-for-dirty “needle exchange” does nothing to solve opioid addiction, will result in a secondary public health crisis, and is not an evidence-based approach to reducing needle waste. 

It is really important to educate people who are concerned for their safety that the risk of communicable disease from needles found on the ground is extremely, extremely low. In a worldwide non-healthcare workplace study, spanning more than 20 years since the start of the AIDS epidemic to 2008, less than 3 confirmed cases of HIV, hepatitis B/C transmission from needle sticks were identified. Extrapolate that out beyond the workplace, to the public at large, and the threat posed by discarded needles is certainly not “a daunting hazard to Portlanders” or equal in any way to an HIV/HCV/HBV outbreak among drug users.   

The fear of needles is deeply rooted in our society, and so is the fear of IV drug users and homeless people. Changing public policy to align with fears that have absolutely no basis in fact would be a grave mistake. A better solution to Portland’s needle waste concerns is to implement a program founded in public health research, such as a needle buy-back program, which is incentivizing, not punitive, and has been effective in Boston and New York at reducing needle waste. That is the solution I support.

We are in an opioid epidemic because greedy pharmaceutical companies pushed these addictive drugs on the public. We have a needle waste problem because the commodification of housing has resulted in a housing affordability crisis that leaves many people who use IV drugs unsheltered, with nowhere to dispose of their syringes. Instead of fighting needle distribution, let’s apply our efforts towards social programs that build housing and create addiction recovery beds. 

ksykes@portlandmaine.gov 207-558-5764

Notice: Under Maine law, documents – including e-mails and text messages – in the possession of public officials or city employees about government business may be classified as public records. There are very few exceptions. As a result, please be advised that what is written in a text message or e-mail could be released to the public and/or the media if requested.

Welcome to the District Five Insider, a newsletter about the big decisions making their way through the City Council, what they mean for District Five, and how you can get involved. Follow to subscribe, and receive this newsletter in your mailbox.

Happy summer, D-Fivers! The hot weather is calling. If water recreation is in your vacation plans, please be aware that a new Maine law this year requires anyone born on or after January 1, 1999, to complete a boater safety and education course to legally operate a motorboat or jet ski on inland waters. You must be 12 or older to operate a motorboat, and 16 or older to operate a jet ski. For your safety, always wear a life jacket when on the water, no matter your age or fitness level! Stay safe and enjoy your precious time with family and friends.

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

One Big Thing:

Short Term Rental Regulations

Short-Term Rental (STR) regulation reform emerged as one of the top City Council goals for this year, and the Housing and Economic Development Committee (HEDC) took this up as a top priority. Over the last few months, I’ve met with stakeholders on all sides of this issue to arrive at a slate of changes to our Short-Term Rental ordinance that landed on last night’s Council agenda for a first reading.

The majority of these changes are poised for passage by the Council (Order 28). A smaller set of changes to the registration requirements for STRs can’t be passed outright by the Council because they overlap with changes made by citizen referendum within the last 5 years. Those changes must instead be placed on the November ballot as a Council sponsored referendum (Order 23). Public comment and a Council vote will happen at the 4:00 PM meeting on August 19th.

What it means

The proposed changes protect long-term rental availability, preserve the residential character of multi-unit buildings, and strengthen enforcement by leveraging the legal precedent set by other communities in requiring booking services to verify registration with the City before charging for services. Tenant operators are being phased out to curtail rental arbitrage, and Peaks Island will have new limits on Non-Owner Occupied (NOO) units.

Property owners can still rent their primary residence as an STR, provided they register with the City and prove owner-occupancy. All lawfully registered units will be exempted from the new limits, which go into effect in September of 2025.

Newly constructed Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) will also be exempt from the cap on NOO units for five years. This is intended to help people recoup the cost of building what will become future long-term housing.

Why it matters

We face a severe housing affordability crisis in Portland, with a 2.2 percent vacancy rate. More than half of residents are rent-burdened and live under the constant threat of no-cause eviction. Our current STR regulations do a good job of protecting home ownership (it’s illegal to turn a single family home into an STR on the mainland), but no such protections exist for renters (it’s perfectly legal to buy an apartment building and take more than half of those units off the long-term rental market). These new protections set the number of NOO licenses as a percentage of our long-term rental stock, putting the needs of tenants first. In District 5, where we have larger lots, building an ADU in anticipation of housing an aging parent or college student who can’t afford their own apartment may be made a more attainable by the option to bypass the wait list and register it as a NOO short term rental for 5 years.

Two More Quick Hits:

Woodford Street Housing Funding Approved

The Council voted last night to approve public funding for a low-income housing development on Woodfords Street. Phase I of the project includes 25 units for households earning up to 50% of the area median income (AMI) and 16 units up to 60% of AMI. Ten percent of the units would be set aside for people who have been experiencing homelessness. Phase II includes 43 one-bedroom apartments for seniors, affordable to 17 households earning at or below 60% AMI and 26 units at or below 50% AMI. Six units will be set aside for people who have been experiencing homelessness. While I didn’t support amendments to increase the public subsidy of this project, I didn’t feel the changes warranted a vote against the project as a whole.

Tapping the Breaks on the East Bayside PHA Development

Portland Housing Development Corporation (PHDC) is proposing to demolish four buildings containing 40 units of public housing located on the parcel of land bound by Cumberland Avenue, Oxford Street, Mayo Street, and Boyd Street (COMB Block) to create a six-story building of 50 mixed-income units with 45 affordable rental units for low income households and 5 market rate units at 70 East Oxford Street in East Bayside. The project would set aside 20% of units for Persons Experiencing Homelessness or persons who have disabilities, are victims of domestic violence, or have other special housing needs. The building would offer five (5) studio units, fifteen (15) one-bedroom units, sixteen (16) two-bedroom units, and nineteen (19) three-bedroom units.

Seven votes were required last night to waive the second reading on the financing package for this project. With the compressed summer City Council meeting schedule, several outstanding questions about the financing unanswered, and two HED Committee members absent, I felt that one reading on this was inadequate on a project that will transition some of Portland’s oldest public housing stock to a non-profit development model. A second reading, public hearing and vote will take place August 19th meeting.

Pet of the Week!

The D5 Pet of the Week is Thor!

Each week we feature a District 5 pet who brightens our day. Thor is a hard working corgi with a HUGE personality who lives in Deering Center. He thinks bikes are for herding, but we can’t be too upset with him over it because he never stops smiling.

ksykes@portlandmaine.gov 207-558-5764

Notice: Under Maine law, documents – including e-mails and text messages – in the possession of public officials or city employees about government business may be classified as public records. There are very few exceptions. As a result, please be advised that what is written in a text message or e-mail could be released to the public and/or the media if requested.