SOUTH PORTLAND — Officials are contemplating increasing the city’s lower- and middle-income housing stock by 10% within six years.

According to the Greater Portland Council of Governments, the number and location of households in the region struggling with the cost of housing is rising, with the burden falling heavily on the senior population. Travel between home and work has also increased, generating more expense to commuting households.

“There are many factors to why it’s an issue, and we should recognize that population growth is needed for economic stability,” said City Councilor Susan Henderson at a Sept. 24 workshop. “We’re going to lose workforce, there will be less births and less younger people coming in … we’re not going to be able to maintain our status quo economically unless we address that.”