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V O L . X X X N O. X V I I I A U G U S T 1 9 , 2 0 2 4 14 G R E AT E R B A N G O R / N O R T H E R N M A I N E F O C U S Pressures on employers Bangor, a service center for health care and education with a population of around 32,000, is centrally located between the more densely populated southern portion of the state and more rural northern and eastern regions. While less expensive than Portland, Bangor is also seeing an increase in home prices, which have risen 20% over the past year to a median $310,000 according to Redfin data for June. With an estimated 97% out of 1,630 apartments occupied, Bangor's rental market is also squeezed. For employers who are already hav- ing a tough time finding workers in a tight labor market, the housing crunch makes that task all the more difficult. At Hollywood Casino Bangor, for example, "there are times that applicants and candidates express concern because they have to use a mailing address for a local shelter as they are in transition to permanent housing," says Kim Jenkins, the casino-hotel's human resources director. "ey're concerned with the stigma attached to being unhoused, and that perhaps we will not consider them for employment. is conversation comes up quite regularly." While the company can't provide actual housing, an "emergency team member" directs new colleagues to area resources and organizations. Job can- didates needing public transportation to Bangor can also apply for assistance from the 255-employee company, accord- ing to Jenkins. Housing issues are also top of mind for human resources executives at Northern Light Health, whose home office in Brewer is staffed with 864 employees. "Housing concerns have come up in conversations with individu- als considering relocating to the Bangor area," says Joanna Morrison, who oversees talent acquisition and career development for the health system. ough the company does not provide transportation assistance to staff members who commute, "we do our best to help by providing local contacts for real estate and our local chamber of commerce for housing," Morrison says. With a workforce that's 380 strong, Husson University helps applicants and new hires in need of housing on a case- by-case basis, according to Janet Kelle, the university's chief HR officer. "In some cases, we will work more closely with an incoming employee if they are coming from particularly far away or have more urgent needs," she says. Housing ups and downsides Alongside a host of private and public development projects, Bangor is doing its part to make good on a promise to turn 2024 into the "year of housing." Besides creating a rental regis- try pilot program to connect tenants and landlords, the city is working with Scarborough's Gawron Turgeon Dillon Architects to create pre- approved building plans for accessory dwelling units and multifamily build- ings, according to Krieg. While the city does not have a figure for private investment money going toward building housing, Emily Ellis of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices says she has invested $15 million into the Maine Woods Townhomes development. » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E P H O T O / J I M N E U G E R Anne Krieg, Bangor's director of economic and community development, says that hundreds of housing units currently under development "are a good start." There are times that applicants and candidates express concern because they have to use a mailing address for a local shelter as they are in transition to permanent housing. — Kim Jenkins Hollywood Casino Bangor MEDIAN SALES PRICE, ALL HOME TYPES, 2019–2024 S O U R C E : Redfin 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 $200K $300K $400K $0 $100K $500K $600K $700K $800K PORTLAND BANGOR P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F H O L LY WO O D C A S I N O Kim Jenkins

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