Priorities & Goals

Goal 1: Increase the number and quality of First Home Loans

STRATEGIES
- Offer mortgage products that meet the needs of first-time homebuyers
- Streamline the mortgage origination process
- Effectively market the First Home Loan program to eligible borrowers
- Increase the number of lenders and enhance the lender network
- Develop new programs to meet homebuyer needs and opportunities
- Improve loan quality and reduce the number of delinquencies and foreclosures
- Expand and improve homeownership education both pre- and post-purchase
Goal 2: Increase Affordable Housing Development

STRATEGIES
- Target housing development to communities that provide opportunity and long term sustainability
- Balance the need for housing in both urban and rural areas of the state and identify th population(s) to be served based on a needs analysis
- Identify required housing development characteristics and create incentives for preferred characteristics
- Manage the cost of development
- Expand housing development options
- Provide developer training and educational opportunities to improve the quality of proposals
- Develop relationships with organizations that provide services to housing developments
- Streamline and improve the processes for applying for and analyzing the results of housing development investments
Goal 3: Ensure the long term sustainability of MaineHousing’s multifamily portfolio

STRATEGIES
- Maintain and improve the physical condition of multi-family projects
- Ensure long term financial sustainability and affordability
- Improve business processes and practices to focus on managing and preserving housing assets
- Upgrade properties to support aging in place, accessibility, and energy efficiency
- Provide training and technical assistance to property managers
- Enhance the Resident Services Coordinator role
Goal 4: Help Maine people stay safe and warm in their homes and apartments

STRATEGIES
- Ensure that federal and state energy assistance benefits are fully expended in a timely manner
- Improve housing quality and accessibility and reduce environmental hazards in the home
- Improve the effectiveness of program delivery with Community Action Agencies and other organizations
- Ensure MaineHousing-supported rental units meet rigorous inspection standards
- Enhance relationships with landlords and property managers
Goal 5: Reduce the length of time and the number of Maine people experiencing homelessness using best practice methods of Housing First and Rapid Rehousing

STRATEGIES
- Guide and support policy development and collaborative efforts that further best practice methods of Housing First and Rapid Rehousing
- Provide operating and performance incentive funding to shelters
- Seek and support innovative efforts to reduce homelessness
- Provide training and professional development to homeless providers
- Use research and improve the quality of data to make service and funding decisions
- Offer priority for rental assistance in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program to applicants who are homeless and move them quickly into housing
- Provide financial support to enable homeless applicants to lease rental units
Goal 6: Improve housing stability for Maine people at risk

STRATEGIES
- Increase efforts to prevent homelessness and support stability for people at risk
- Provide support to participants and landlords to prevent evictions
- Offer performance funding to homeless shelters through Emergency Shelter Housing Assistance Program for success in achieving housing stability
- Pilot and test promising approaches
- Assist participants in the Housing Choice Voucher program in locating and leasing homes that best meet their family’s needs
- Assist participants in the Housing Choice Voucher program in moving toward financial
  independence
- Coordinate all MaineHousing programs to maximize the benefits for low income households
- Provide technical assistance and training to ensure shelters are achieving performance outcomes
Goal 7: Promote inclusive, sustainable communities that support viable affordable housing

STRATEGIES
- Partner more directly with municipalities and community-based organizations
- Aid municipalities and community-based organizations in creating opportunities for affordable housing
- Direct MaineHousing’s resources to communities with viable services and supports
- Support the use of technology to link housing with community and other resources*
- Develop innovative housing models and financing options to meet community needs
- Educate, promote, and advocate for inclusive, fair housing opportunities
Goal 8: Lead and support collaborative efforts to address Maine’s
housing needs

STRATEGIES
- Apply a data driven approach to identifying housing needs
- Convene statewide policy forums and community dialogues and listen to the voice of the customers and partners
- Expand collaborative initiatives with our partners that test and demonstrate effective approaches to addressing housing needs
- Enhance the reputation and recognition of MaineHousing as a premier housing organization
Goal 9: Ensure the long-term financial viability of MaineHousing

STRATEGIES
- Maintain healthy annual margins; increase fund balances in the Mortgage Purchase Program
- Be prepared to respond to changes in federal and state funding
- Address any weakness displayed in the rating agencies’ stress test cash flow runsMaintain effective relationships with rating agencies
Goal 10: Become an efficient, effective organization that people want
to work for and do business with

STRATEGIES
- Develop and maintain a high performing and dedicated workforce; become a learning organization
- Plan for succession and enhance leadership opportunities for MaineHousing employees
- Plan, design, and deliver a quality workplace for MaineHousing employees
- Embed a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization and continually improve business processes
- Establish and implement a process that prioritizes and advances our investment in technology and supports key business processes
- Continually identify and respond to the agency’s business risks, problems, and opportunities