Angus King

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Portland is part of the broader U.S. housing crisis, and Sen. Angus King recently introduced the Build American Efficiency Act in the U.S. Senate to cut the red tape developers must navigate. While this act could streamline development, it also has drawbacks that would harm the communities that need affordable housing most. Ultimately, this act does not serve the public interest.

The act would require developers to source materials domestically, which could create bottlenecks and supply shortages given current demand. This can prolong building processes when people need housing now. For example, in Portland, minority communities disproportionately feel the effects of the housing crisis; they end up in the homes no one wants, and for good reason. These “affordable” homes are in old structures that often contain unsafe chemicals like lead paint and asbestos.

These communities don’t have time to wait for developers to slowly gather materials domestically; every day they spend in an old home is another day their risk of cancer increases.

Luckily, we have power. If we come together and reach out to our representatives, we can tell them this act won’t help people already struggling. Instead, we can encourage them to focus on policies that directly benefit the people they represent, instead of marginalizing those already on the outskirts.

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