Sunrise County Economic Council to Host Washington County Housing Summit on May 21
Guest post submitted by Sunrise County Economic Council
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2026
Sunrise County Economic Council to Host Washington County Housing Summit on May 21
Regional leaders, housing experts, and community partners to convene at University of Maine at Machias
Machias, Maine — Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC) will convene regional leaders, housing experts, and community partners on May 21 for the Washington County Housing Summit: Strategies to Solutions, a full-day event focused on addressing the county's most urgent housing challenges. The summit will take place at the University of Maine at Machias and will bring together practitioners from across sectors to chart a path toward more stable, attainable housing for residents.
Washington County is experiencing the sharpest housing pressures in decades. Home prices have reached historic highs, outpacing wages and pricing out residents across income levels. At the same time, new housing construction is not keeping pace with demand, particularly in rural communities where development costs are high and available units are limited. The summit will provide a forum for understanding these challenges and identifying actionable solutions.
Panelists will include developers, lenders, social service providers, municipal leaders, and housing organizations who will highlight practical strategies, share successful models from across Maine, and strengthen collaboration among the partners working to ensure every resident has a safe, stable place to call home.
The summit will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the University of Maine at Machias, 116 O'Brien Avenue, Machias. Registration is $15; lunch will be provided. Please contact Elaine Abbott at eabbott@sunrisecounty.org with questions or to request a complimentary ticket if the cost is a barrier for you.
Media Contact:
Elaine Abbott, Program Manager for Broadband and Workforce Housing
Sunrise County Economic Council