Why have an affordable housing program?
Cape Elizabeths Mandatory Affordable Housing Provisions, part of the town Zoning Ordinance, aims to provide an adequate supply of affordable housing for persons of low and moderate income, a goal desirable for the public health, safety and welfare in that it promotes a community rich in economic, social and cultural diversity. According to the Comprehensive Plan, the provisions also aim to make affordable housing available for the towns municipal employees, suggesting that when municipal employees, such as police officers or teachers cannot afford to live in the town they serve, commitment may decline, and workforce costs increase. The town is obligated to adopt a comprehensive plan consistent with the state goal of having 10 percent of new housing affordable to low-income households. The State Planning Office reviews all new comprehensive plans for consistency with state goals. A town without a consistent plan will lack the authority to adopt a Zoning Ordinance. (Housing section of 20
