Join Us for Washington County Housing Summit: Strategies to Solutions

May 21, 2026, 9:00 am - 2:30 pm

University of Maine at Machias

Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC) will convene regional leaders, housing experts, and community partners for a full day event focused on addressing the county’s most urgent housing challenges. The summit will bring together practitioners from across sectors to chart a path toward more stable, attainable housing for residents.

Why Now?

Washington County is experiencing the sharpest housing pressures in decades. Home prices have reached historic highs, outpacing wages and pricing out residents across income levels. At the same time, new housing construction is not keeping pace with demand, particularly in rural communities where development costs are high and available units are limited. The summit will provide a forum for understanding these challenges and identifying actionable solutions.



Learn Practical Strategies for Success

Panelists will include developers, lenders, social service providers, municipal leaders, and housing organizations who will highlight practical strategies, share successful models from across Maine, and strengthen collaboration among the partners working to ensure every resident has a safe, stable place to call home.

Registration fee: $15

Please email Elaine Abbott at eabbott@sunrisecounty.org to request a complimentary ticket if the cost is a barrier for you.

A Closer Look:

Keynote: Current & Future Housing Needs In Washington County: How Washington County’s Housing Needs Are Evolving & Why It Matters Now

• Charles Rudelitch, Sunrise County Economic Council

Plenary: Tools That Move Housing: Financing Strategies and Barrier Removal

Panelists will unpack the financial and regulatory barriers that commonly stall development, including capital stack gaps, infrastructure limitations, and permitting delays. They will also highlight strategies that are proving effective: innovative loan products, predevelopment support, collaborative underwriting, and municipal approaches that reduce friction and improve project feasibility. With perspectives from those who structure deals and those who build the housing itself, attendees will gain a clear understanding of what it takes to unlock new units and how communities can position themselves to attract and support development.

• Caleb Lincoln, Lake City Holdings
• Steven McDermott, Genesis Community Loan Fund
• Emily Wassmer, TRC

1A: Couch Surfers and House Hoppers: Addressing Hidden Homelessness in Our Community

This panel digs into the oftenoverlooked reality of hidden homelessness—the neighbors who aren’t sleeping on the streets but are cycling through spare rooms, staying with friends, or bouncing between temporary living situations. These unstable arrangements mask the true scale of housing insecurity and make it harder for people to access support. Panelists will explore why this form of homelessness is so pervasive, how it affects families, youth, and workers, and what community-driven strategies can bring stability, dignity, and longterm solutions.

• Jace Farris, Community Health and Counseling Services
• Jessica McPhail, Family Futures Downeast
• Paige Johnston, Healthy Acadia

1B: Housing That Brings People into Village Centers 

This session examines how thoughtfully planned villagecenter housing can strengthen community life, support local businesses, and expand access to essential services. Panelists will explore design approaches, zoning tools, and development models that encourage people to live closer to the social and economic heart of their towns. By highlighting successful examples and emerging strategies, the discussion will focus on how communities can create walkable, connected, and vibrant centers that offer a range of housing options while preserving local character.

• Dante Zanoni, The Connection Initiative
• Kelli Casey, Community Action Program
• Judy Dakin, retired Registered Nurse and Hospice Board Member

1C: Stuck in Place: Understanding Barriers to Housing Turnover

This session explores why many older residents remain in homes that no longer fit their needs and how this “stuck in place” dynamic affects the broader housing ecosystem. Panelists will examine financial, social, and logistical barriers that limit mobility for aging adults — from fixed incomes and rising property taxes to limited downsizing options, accessibility challenges, and the emotional weight of leaving longtime homes. The discussion will highlight how these constraints reduce housing turnover, restrict opportunities for younger households, and strain local housing supply.

• Caleb Lincoln, Lake City Holdings
• Sarah Craighead Dedmon, Town of Machias
• Carly Kneeland, Downeast Credit Union

2A: Why Is Workforce Housing So Hard to Build in Rural Maine — And What’s Actually Working?

This panel investigates the structural and financial challenges that make workforce housing development uniquely difficult in rural Maine, where small labor markets, high construction costs, and limited infrastructure can stall even welldesigned projects. Panelists will highlight emerging strategies—such as housing trusts, crosssector partnerships, and locally tailored incentives—that are beginning to unlock new units and preserve affordability.

• Mark Green, Western Maine Mountain Housing
• Sherry Billings, Island Housing Trust
• Larissa Crockett, Neighborhood Housing Trust

2B: Short-Term Rentals: Balancing housing supply, community character, and economic opportunity. 

This panel will examine how STR activity shapes local housing availability, neighborhood stability, and economic vitality, particularly in communities where tourism is essential, but housing supply is limited. Panelists will discuss the real world tradeoffs they navigate: the tourism industry’s need for flexible lodging options, landlords’ experiences with shifting market incentives, and municipalities’ efforts to craft regulations that protect housing stock while supporting local businesses and preserving community character. 

• Cecil Gardner, DownEast Acadia Regional Tourism
• Thomas Malcolm, Town of Millinocket
• Cynthia Beauvais, Property Manager

2C: Meeting People Where They Are: How Supportive Housing Stabilizes Lives and Strengthens Rural Communities

This session highlights the essential role supportive housing plays in helping individuals achieve stability while reinforcing the social and economic health of rural communities. Panelists will explore how pairing affordable homes with wraparound services such as case management, behavioral health support, and transportation assistance creates pathways out of crisis for residents who face complex challenges, showcasing models that are successfully meeting people where they are. 

• Thomas Michaud, Jr., Sunrise Opportunities
• Dean Petruzzi, Mainely Management
• Penny Guisinger, Healthy Acadia