An Act To Create a Low-barrier, Permanent Housing Rental Subsidy for Individuals in the State Experiencing Long-term Homelessness
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1201
Committee: Labor and Housing
Sponsors: FARNSWORTH, BRENNAN, COOPER, CRAVEN, CROCKETT, HANDY, MADIGAN, PERRY, RECKITT

Legislative Document
No. 1201
H.P. 865
House of Representatives, March 12, 2019
An Act To Create a Low-barrier, Permanent Housing Rental 
Subsidy for Individuals in the State Experiencing Long-term 
Homelessness
Reference to the Committee on Labor and Housing suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative FARNSWORTH of Portland.
Cosponsored by Representatives: BRENNAN of Portland, COOPER of Yarmouth, CRAVEN 
of Lewiston, CROCKETT of Portland, HANDY of Lewiston, MADIGAN of Waterville, 
PERRY of Calais, RECKITT of South Portland.
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
RENTAL SUBSIDY PROGRAM FOR PERSONS EXPERIENCING 
LONG-TERM HOMELESSNESS
§4763.  Rental subsidy program for persons experiencing long-term homelessness
1.  Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the 
following terms have the following meanings.
A.  "Fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence" has the same meaning as in 
Title 22, section 4099-D, subsection 2.
B.  "Person experiencing chronic homelessness" means a person with a disability who 
has been either:
(1)  Continually homeless for at least 12 months; or
(2)  Homeless on at least 4 separate occasions in the last 3 years with a total 
period of homelessness equal to at least 12 months.
C.  "Person experiencing literal homelessness" means a person who lacks a fixed, 
regular and adequate nighttime residence.
D.  "Person experiencing long-term homelessness" means a person who is 
experiencing chronic homelessness, a person experiencing literal homelessness or a 
person who is a long-term stayer.
E.  "Person who is a long-term stayer" means a person who, over the course of one 
year, stays over 180 days in shelters or outdoors.
2.  Rental subsidy program established.  A rental subsidy program, referred to in 
this section as "the program," is established within the Maine State Housing Authority.  
The purpose of the program is to assist persons experiencing long-term homelessness 
with housing assistance and rental subsidies.
3.  Eligibility.  The Maine State Housing Authority shall determine the eligibility of 
and provide assistance under the program to a person experiencing long-term 
homelessness in the following order of priority:
A.  To a person who is a long-term stayer;
B.  To a person experiencing chronic homelessness; and
C.  To a person experiencing literal homelessness.
4.  Rental subsidy.  A rental subsidy must be provided to a person eligible for the 
program pursuant to subsection 3.  The Maine State Housing Authority shall adopt rules 
establishing the amount of the rental subsidy available to a person eligible for the 
program and the length of time the rental subsidy is available to a person eligible for the 
program.
5.  Services.  Services provided to a person eligible for the program pursuant to 
subsection 3 must be administered by regional committees organized by the Maine State 
Housing Authority.  The regional committees shall provide a person eligible for the 
program assistance with navigation of available services, housing placement and housing 
retention support services.
6.  Fund.  The rental subsidy program fund, referred to as "the fund," is established 
as a nonlapsing fund within the Maine State Housing Authority pursuant to the following 
conditions.
A.  All money appropriated for inclusion in the fund and private donations for the 
program may be included in the fund.
B.  The Maine State Housing Authority may apply money in the fund for purposes 
authorized by this subchapter.
7.  Report.  Beginning January 15, 2020, and annually thereafter, the Maine State 
Housing Authority shall submit a report to the joint standing committees of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over housing matters and health and human services 
matters that includes performance measures of the program, including, but not limited to, 
housing stability and retention for persons eligible for the program pursuant to subsection 
3.
8.  Rules.  The Maine State Housing Authority shall adopt rules to implement this 
section.  Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined 
in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
SUMMARY
This bill establishes a rental subsidy program within the Maine State Housing 
Authority for persons experiencing long-term homelessness.  The rental subsidy program 
provides a rental subsidy and housing retention services to a person eligible for the 
program.