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Chebeague Housing Survey

These efforts can’t happen without you, your responses on this survey will shape the future. Thanks!

Housing for year round residents is a priority to strengthen and preserve the sustainability of the Chebeague community. The Select Board created a committee to research housing programs on Maine islands and coastal communities, and propose a plan for Chebeague with a focus on developing a plan for home ownership. Chebeague Island Community Association (CICA) made an important contribution to the island with the building of four Maine State Housing rental units. This Task Force effort will be to develop recommendations for a comprehensive plan to benefit the Town of Chebeague Island.

This anonymous survey is designed to elicit community input for the Chebeague Housing Task Force and begin developing this plan. The success of this model will depend upon everyone pitching in - year round residents, seasonal residents, taxpayers and non-taxpayers, as well as summer visitors.

This survey will be open for comments until September 26 and the results will be presented in a public forum at the Hall on Tuesday, September 30 at 6pm

Mission and Vision of the Chebeague Housing Task Force
The mission of the Chebeague Housing Task Force is to develop solutions that reflect the shared values and capabilities of our island community for the purpose of strengthening Chebeague Island’s community.
The Chebeague Housing Task Force will develop a collaborative model that is environmentally sustainable and economically viable, informed by housing programs and practices on Maine Islands and comparable communities. This model will identify multiple pathways to year-round home ownership and rentals that welcomes a diversity of residents.
1.First, about you
2.What is your residency?
3.What is the size of your household?
4.The Chebeague Island community has identified housing as a major need for the sustainability of our community, especially for the security of year round residents. How important is housing to the sustainability of the Chebeague Community?

On a scale of 1-5, please rate the overall need for year round housing on Chebeague Island:
Very important
Important
No opinion
Less important
Not at all important
5.Housing can take many forms. On a scale of 1-5, how important would you rate the need for these different types of housing options?
Very important
Important
No opinion
Less important
Not at all important
Year round housing
Seasonal housing
Home ownership
Rental housing
Workforce housing (year round)
Workforce housing (seasonal)
6.What is important for people who seek housing?

If you are seeking housing, what do you need and what is most important to you?

If you are not in need of housing at this time, what do you think is important to consider in developing a plan for housing?
7.Who needs housing and what is needed?

Please check what applies to you and for the island community:
Important for me
Important for the island
Not important
Unsure/undecided
Housing for 1-2 people in the household
Housing for 3 or more people in the household
Housing that is modest but has potential to be expanded
Housing that makes it possible to move to the island and be a member of the island community
Housing for family members to move to the island
Housing for any island resident who is ready to downsize
Housing which might include space for a caregiver now or in the future
Workforce housing for a seasonal job
Workforce housing for a year round job
8.What would a successful and sustainable housing solution look like?
Yes
No
Maybe
Individual housing scattered in different locations around the island
Housing in a neighborhood setting
Clustered housing with shared utilities
Potential homeowners can design and build their own house
Specific architectural plans available that would be pre-approved for building
9.Let’s Consider Land and Taxes. Please indicate whether you prefer, do not prefer, unsure, or need more information:
Prefer
Do not prefer
Unsure
Need more information
Property taxes are paid for the land by the property owner
Property taxes are paid for the house by the property owner
Housing is on land owned by the town or a non-profit (no property taxes)
Housing is on land owned by the town that is leased or sold to owners (pay property taxes)
10.What types of housing do you think would be the best fit for contributing to a sustainable community now and into the future?
Yes
No
Maybe
Studio/1 bedroom modest home
2+ bedroom home
Multi Unit with small or modest apartments
Tiny houses in a clustered setting (rent or own)
Workforce housing owned by an island business, non-profit or resident
11.A strength of our Chebeague community is a strong sense of connection. How important are these connections in the planning for housing?
Very important
Important
No opinion
Not important
Not at all important
Connection with the island community
Connection with a neighborhood
Connection with nature
Architectural style reflects traditional Chebeague Houses
12.Some housing solutions on Maine islands have lowered the cost of home ownership by having covenant restrictions on the land. These covenants are designed to lower the initial cost of ownership and preserve the property for residents of the island. This may include restricting ownership only for full time island residents and having houses in a cluster setting. Covenants can include size of the house, number of occupants in the household, and exclude short term rentals. This option is possible on land owned privately, by a non-profit or by the town.

Do you think the Chebeague Housing Task Force should pursue this type of option? To consider covenants?
13.The plan for the Chebeague Housing Task force is to recommend a model that would support home ownership for residents. The phrase "multiple pathways to home ownership” means that there could be several options to pursue for financing a home. This could include conventional bank financing, funding through Maine State Housing, or any other financing options.

Maine State Housing offers several opportunities for financing home ownership, with income guidelines that are at or below $129,800 for 1-2 person households and $149,270 for a household of 3+ members. FMI: https://www.mainehousing.org/charts/homebuyer-limits

Housing affordability can mean many things. Please describe what affordability means to you, either as a potential home owner or how you would like to see the Chebeague Housing Task Force develop attainable housing solutions.
14.There are many ways you can join in and support this effort.

Land for housing
Land for a combination of housing and conservation
Financial contribution toward a fund for home ownership
Contribution toward a modest or tiny home which would be available for rental
Join the effort

How would you like to help?
15.If you would like to be contacted by a member of the Chebeague Housing Task Force, please provide your contact information.
16.Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.

Let's get ready to dig in and get some shovels into the ground for housing.

Plan to attend a community presentation of the results and discussion of next steps on Tuesday, September 30 the Island Hall at 6pm.

For more information, contact members of the Chebeague Housing Task Force

Eliza Adams: ejadams@townofchebeagueisland.org
Megan Dayton: MeganDayton@mac.com
Steve Hinchman: Stevehinchman@gmail.com
Sienna Zuko: SiennaZuco@gmail.com
Victor Diaz: Chaplin.chebeague@gmail.com

https://www.townofchebeagueisland.org/index.asp?SEC=6C6B2218-75B3-4A81-BB49-888796363920