📰BIDDEFORD | Emhiser & Burmeister Appointed to Biddeford Housing Authority and Southern Maine Affordable Housing Leadership Roles

Submitted by Biddeford Housing Authority

October 27, 2026, Eric Burmeister, an experienced housing and community development professional with decades of experience in real estate development, finance, and affordable housing, has been appointed as a Commissioner to the Biddeford Housing Authority (BHA) Board and as a Director to the Southern Maine Affordable Housing (SMAH) Board.

L-R Emhiser and Burmeister

In addition, William Emhiser will also serve in both roles, bringing a combination of municipal government experience, business leadership, and community involvement.

BHA was created in 1985 by the Biddeford City Council and SMAH, which is the development non-profit of BHA, was founded in 2013. The organizations own and manage 15 properties and nearly 150 units of housing. 

Burmeister brings a wealth of experience from his work in affordable housing and community development, most notably his more than 12 years as Executive Director of the Polk County Housing Trust Fund in Des Moines, Iowa. In that role, he led a regional organization focused on affordable housing planning, funding, advocacy, and policy, working with public officials, developers, nonprofit organizations, and community partners to expand housing opportunities and address housing insecurity. 

During his tenure, Burmeister helped position the Trust Fund as a leading resource for housing affordability in the Des Moines region. In 2022, the organization helped leverage more than $20 million for housing production and preservation and was selected to manage an additional $12 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to support multifamily housing development and improvements.

Before joining the Polk County Housing Trust Fund in 2010, Burmeister spent approximately 30 years working in real estate development and finance, including legal practice and development leadership. A graduate of Drake University Law School, he represented developers and lenders in complex real estate matters and worked on notable commercial and residential redevelopment projects in the Des Moines area. This combination of private-sector experience and nonprofit leadership has given him a broad understanding of the financial, regulatory, and community considerations involved in bringing housing projects to fruition. 

Emhiser brings a longstanding commitment to the Biddeford community, having previously served on the Biddeford City Council representing Ward 1. His municipal experience provides a valuable understanding of local government, community priorities, and the public decision-making processes that shape housing and development. Emhiser is a semi-retired business manager with years of experience working with multimillion-dollar budgets and tax-incentive financing.

Burmeister and Emhiser’s appointments come at a time when housing affordability remains a significant concern for Biddeford families. 

“I am grateful that Mayor LaFountain appointed and the Biddeford City Council have confirmed the appointments of Mr. Burmeister and Mr. Emhiser to serve on the BHA and SMAH boards. They will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our organizations, at a time when affordable housing is top of mind for so many people. I look forward to working with them,” said Ryan Fecteau, Executive Director of BHA and President of SMAH.

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