Hannah Pingree, former Speaker of the Maine House and candidate for Governor, will launch a statewide housing tour this September, bringing together renters, homeowners, builders, developers, municipal and business leaders, and housing advocates, "to listen, collaborate, and drive real solutions to Maine’s housing challenges," according to an Aug. 27 news release from her campaign office.

“Maine’s housing challenges affect every corner of our state,” said Pingree, in the release. “Whether it’s rural renters, first-time homebuyers, seniors, or mobile homeowners, people are struggling to find safe, affordable places to live. In the first two months on the campaign trail, housing has been the top issue I hear about—and this tour lets me bring that conversation directly to communities across Maine.”

The tour kicks off in Bangor following the Maine Affordable Housing Conference, on September 9, with additional stops to be announced after Labor Day.

Pingree's campaign office said her leadership has been instrumental in pressing for solutions, including overseeing the creation of two key state reports: the 2023 Housing Production Needs Summary that declared Maine is short about84,000 homes,and the 2025 Housing Production Roadmap, that provided detailed recommendations to the Legislature for addressing the state’s housing challenges.

“Every part of Maine faces housing challenges, but they don’t all look the same. What works in a rural town may be different from what’s needed in a city or along the coast,” said Pingree, in the release. “As I begin this tour, I look forward to hearing directly from people about what’s working in their communities so we can build on those ideas and ensure every Mainer has a safe, affordable place to call home.”

“Hannah understands housing policy at a depth few others do,” said Kevin Bunker, Founder of Developers Collaborative. “She’s preserved affordable units, pushed zoning reforms, and advanced investments that will shape Maine’s housing market for decades. That kind of leadership is rare and exactly what Maine needs.”

Pingree's office said she has a wide range of experience in housing, "with a proven record of leadership at both the state and community level. As Speaker, she championed long-term, sustainable funding for new housing production. After leaving office, she directed a community-based housing organization that expanded homeownership opportunities, developed rental housing, and provided weatherization support for local families.

"As Director of the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF), Hannah led the effort to secure the largest pipeline of funding for affordable housing production in state history,  including funds for rural rentals, affordable home ownership, mobile home park preservation, opportunities for veterans and seniors, homelessness prevention, and home weatherization."