BRUNSWICK (WGME) -- With housing costs still so high, Brunswick says it's putting most new housing projects on hold to try and solve its housing crisis.
The town just put a 180-day moratorium into effect, calling it an emergency declaration.
Three projects were halted due to the recent moratorium, including one at an old driving range.
The Brunswick Housing Authority says that driving range across from Midcoast Medical Center was going to house over 200 units.
According to the housing authority's executive director John Hodges, those were needed.
"We did not support the moratorium because we don't think the way to solve the housing problem is to stop building housing," Hodges said.
While this wasn't what Hodges wanted, he's trying to stay optimistic.
“While we applaud them trying to find solutions, it does not solve the problem we have today, people still need homes," Hodges said.
Part of the reason for the moratorium is that the town says it wants to make sure the new housing that's built is affordable and sustainable.
The moratorium does not affect developments with 30 or fewer units or if 20 percent of the units are available for people with an income less than 80 percent of the local median income.
Hodges added that the next step is to keep having conversations with those involved in the process.