An Act To End Homelessness by Expanding Housing Support Services
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0970
Committee: Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development
Sponsors: JORGENSEN, DION, FECTEAU, TALBOT ROSS, TEPLER, VACHON, BELLOWS, VOLK

Legislative Document
No. 970
H.P. 683
House of Representatives, March 9, 2017
An Act To End Homelessness by Expanding Housing Support 
Services
Reference to the Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development 
suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative JORGENSEN of Portland.
Cosponsored by Senator DION of Cumberland and
Representatives: FECTEAU of Biddeford, TALBOT ROSS of Portland, TEPLER of Topsham, 
VACHON of Scarborough, Senators: BELLOWS of Kennebec, VOLK of Cumberland.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  30-A MRSA c. 201, sub-c. 3-C is enacted to read: 
SUBCHAPTER 3-C 
HOUSING FIRST ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 
§4766.  Housing First Assistance Program 
1.  Establishment; purpose.  The Housing First Assistance Program, referred to in 
this subchapter as "the program," is established under the jurisdiction of the Maine State 
Housing Authority, referred to in this subchapter as "the authority," to provide permanent 
housing to people experiencing homelessness in those areas of the State where the need is 
greatest and to homeless individuals addicted to opiates. 
2.  Requirements.  The authority shall coordinate with emergency shelters, street 
outreach providers and other crisis responders in those areas the authority determines 
have the largest population of chronically homeless individuals and families in order to 
provide those persons with permanent housing through the program.  The program must 
meet the core elements for a Housing First program as delineated by the United States 
Interagency Council on Homelessness, or a successor organization, including, but not 
limited to, the following. 
A.  The program may not exclude applicants from participation in the program based 
solely on: 
(1)  Low income or a lack of income or income source; 
(2)  A poor credit or financial history; 
(3)  A poor rental history or lack of a rental history; 
(4)  Abuse of drugs or alcohol or a failure to participate in or complete a 
substance abuse program or similar behavior modification program; 
(5)  A criminal record; or 
(6)  Other behavior that indicates a lack of readiness for housing. 
B.  The program must provide support services for drug and alcohol addiction as a 
resource to participants.  Participation in the services must be voluntary and not a 
condition of acceptance into the program or continued residency. 
C.  Conditions and terms for payment of rent must be reasonably flexible and allow 
for the use of individualized payment arrangements and financial assistance. 
D.  Eviction from the program, if such eviction would result in a participant's 
homelessness, must be avoided when possible. 
3.  Administration; operation by outside entity; grants; costs.  The authority shall 
administer the program.  The authority may contract with entities not in State 
Government to provide housing under the program and award grants to such entities 
under a competitive bid process.  The authority may use a portion of the funding provided 
for the program for the administrative costs of the authority. 
Sec. 2.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
HOUSING AUTHORITY, MAINE STATE 
Housing First Assistance Program N232 
Initiative: Provides ongoing funding to establish and provide 24-hour housing support 
services for 30 units at a "Housing First" development for chronically homeless 
individuals and families. Funds may be awarded to entities not in State Government 
through a competitive bid process. 
SUMMARY 
This bill establishes the Housing First Assistance Program.  The program is 
established in and administered by the Maine State Housing Authority.  The authority is 
required to work with emergency shelters and other crisis responders in the neediest areas 
of the State to provide permanent housing and support services for chronically homeless 
individuals and families and to homeless individuals addicted to opiates.  The program 
must meet the core elements for a "Housing First" program as delineated by the United 
States Interagency Council on Homelessness, including not disqualifying or evicting a 
resident due to alcohol or substance abuse, a criminal record, poor financial history or 
lack of an income.  The authority may contract with outside entities to operate the 
housing units and award grants to those entities under a competitive bid process. 
This bill provides ongoing funding necessary to fund 30 housing units and provide 
support services at those units for chronically homeless individuals including opiate-
addicted homeless individuals. 
GENERAL FUND 
2017-18
2018-19
All Other 
$675,000
$675,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
$675,000
$675,000