Fecteau named as Biddeford Housing Authority executive director

The Speaker of the House will take on a new job in his hometown and says he is excited about bringing more housing opportunities to the region

By RANDY SEAVER | Editor

State Rep. Ryan Fecteau is set to take over the reins as the new executive director of the non-profit Biddeford Housing Authority.

Fecteau, who is currently serving as Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives and represents Biddeford House District 132, said he is excited about the prospect of doing “hands-on work” in his hometown.

“I am really excited about being able to work right in my back yard on issues that I have been working on for several years,” Fecteau told the Gazette on Monday.

**RYAN FECTEAU** will lead the Biddeford Housing Authority | *Contributed photo*

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Fecteau is currently a full-time employee at Avesta Housing in Portland and says his new job will not interfere with his work as a legislator.

On social media posts, Fecteau has signaled that he fully expects to again be named as Speaker when the next Legislature convenes in January. He is unopposed in his quest for a second consecutive term in his relatively new district, which represents Biddeford’s downtown area.

Fecteau’s hiring closes a transition chapter at the Biddeford Housing Authority, an agency that serves several surrounding communities.

Guy Gagnon, the authority’s longtime director, was fired in April amid unconfirmed complaints that he and several board members clashed on management style and approach.

Gagon ran the housing authority for 16 years, taking the lead on projects such as the Adams Point project in Biddeford.

Amy Clearwater, chair of the Biddeford Housing Authority’s board of directors, said in April that she could not comment about the specific reason Gagnon’s employment was terminated because of state laws regarding personnel issues.

On Monday, Clearwater said Fecteau’s hiring represented a “big win” for the housing authority.

Fecteau has extensive experience in the complicated and competitive world of affordable housing.

Prior to working at Avesta Housing, Fecteau was tapped by Gov. Janet Mills to serve as a senior advisor in the Governor’s Office of Policy, Innovation and the Future in 2022.

Fecteau reported to Hannah Pingree, another former House Speaker; and he was responsible for developing and implementing housing policy and coordinating statewide efforts all designed to address a lack of affordable housing across Maine.

“There is a lot of opportunity for Biddeford,” Fecteau said, describing how he hopes to improve collaboration and move the region’s housing authority into the future.

Fecteau referred to a recent story published by the Maine Monitor that shows a detailed review of housing projects and initiatives across the state of Maine.

“Biddeford tops that list,” Fecteau said, pointing out that the city issued a total of 220 building permits and is leading the state in developing affordable housing options for families.

“I think we have a good team in place, and I’m looking forward to the work,” Fecteau said.

Fecteau previously represented another Biddeford district from 2014 to 2022, leaving because of Maine’s term limits law that restricts state lawmakers from serving more than four consecutive terms.

Diane Small of Sanford has been serving as the Biddeford Housing Authority’s interim director since May.

For more information about the Biddeford Housing Authority, you may visit their website | https://www.bhousing.org

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