An Act to Address Mame's Housmg Crisis
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 0002
Committee Amendment CA_B_H222 (House)
Amends: 22 MRSA §20-A, 36 MRSA §4641-B

COMMITTEE AMENDiv.IBNT ''is" to HP 4, L D 2, "An Act to Address Mame's 
Housmg Crisis" 
Amend the bill by stnkmg out the title and substitutmg the followmg 
'An Act to Address Chronic Homelessness by Creating the Housing First Fund' 
Amend the bill by stnkmg out everythmg after the enacting clause and msertmg the 
followmg 
'Sec.1. 22 MRSA §20-A is enacted to read 
§20-A. Housmg First Program 
1. Program established. The Housmg First Program, referred to in this section as "the 
program," is established m the department to facilitate the delivery of support and 
stabilization services to residents of properties established or developed to provide 
permanent housmg to address chrome homelessness m the State Except as otherwise 
provided in this section, services facihtated under the program must be available on site, 
hours per day and be designed to butld mdependent livmg skills and connect md1viduals 
with commumty-based services The department shall ensure that reimbursement under 
the MameCare p1 ogram is available to providers under the Housmg First Program to the 
maximum extent possible For the purposes of this section, "chrome homelessness" means 
a situation m which a person is hvmg m a place not meant for human hab1tat1on. mcludmg 
emergency shelters, for at least 12 months and for whom homelessness 1s cotTelated with a 
condition that makes accessmg services and mamtammg housmg a s1gmficant challenge 
such as substance use disorder or a behav10ral health condit10n "Chtomc homelessness" 
0 
includes a situation m which a person has been livmg mtermittently m an mst1tutional care 
facility, includmg but not limited to 1a1l or a health treatment facility, but 1s otherwise hving 
m a place not meant for human habitation 
2. Fund established. The Housmg First Fund, referred tom this section as "the fund,
is estabhshed as a separate and distinct fund for accounting and budgetary reporting 
purposes m order to support the program. Funds distributed m accordance with this section 
6 
must be used to supplement, not supplant, existmg or future federal funding designed to 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~os-
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT '73" to HP 4, L D 2 
provide services associated with services provided by the program under subsect10ns 1 and 
5, mcludmg but not lumted to the MameCare program and the housmg outreach and 
member engagement provider program administered by the department 
3. Sources of fund. The Treasurer of State shall credit to the fund 
A All money received by the State in accordance with Title 36, sect10n 4641-B, 
subsection 4-B, paragraph E-1, 
B Money from any other source, whether public or private, designated for deposit mto 
or credited to the fund, and 
C Interest earned or other mvestment income on balances m the fund 
4. Distribution of funds. Beginning July 1, 2025, the department shall make 
distributions from the fund as described in this subsection 
A Annually, the department shall deposit $1,000,000 from the fund to an account 
established for the purpose of providing fundmg for housing stability services 
described m subsection 5 
B The department shall establish payment models as appropriate for the purpose of 
providmg 24-hour, on-site supportive services to residents at Housing First Program 
properties established or developed to provide permanent housmg to persons 
experiencmg chrome homelessness Supportive services must include coordination 
with a MaineCare provider 
C The department shall annually determme the amount necessary to support the 
established payment models at each property for services provided under the p1 ogram 
m the current fiscal year and the anticipated amount needed to pay for 24-hour, on-site 
services expected to be provided at each property m the next fiscal year Funds in 
excess of those amounts must be tiansferred to the Mame State Housing Authority for 
the purposes of 
(1) Providing technical assistance to housmg developers to help with capital and 
plannmg issues associated with developmg properties consistent with the housmg 
model established by the program and as described m subsect10n 5, and 
(2) Developmg affordable housmg pro1ects with a housing model established by 
the program and as described in subsection 5 
5. Housing stability services. The department shall establish a payment model to 
provide funds to pay for the costs of housmg stability services pt ovided to residents at 
properties under the program where supportive services are not necessarily provided on 
site or 24 hours per day 
Services funded under this subsect10n must be available to 
reSidents no less than 20 hours per week and must adequately meet the needs of the 
reSidents to bmld mdependent living skills, to mamtain housmg and to access necessary 
community-based services Housing stability services funded under this subsect10n may 
also mclude outreach to persons who are experiencmg chi omc homelessness fot the 
purposes of establishing connections and providing support that may result m securing 
stable housmg at a property under the program 
6. Rulemaking. The department and the Mame State Housing Autho11ty shall 10mtly 
adopt rules to administer the program 
The rules must specify which elements of the 
program are administered by the department, which elements are administered by the 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "[3" to HP 4, L D 2 
Mame State Housing Authority and which elements are admmistered 1 omtly, 1f any Rules 
adopted under this subsection are routme techmcal rules undei Title 5, chapter 375, 
subchapter 2-A 
7. Report. Begmnmg February 1, 2025, the department and the Mame State Housmg 
Authority shall submit a report annually to the 10mt standmg or 10mt select committee of 
the Legislature havmg rnnsd1ct10n over housmg matters to provide the committee with 
necessary data and information to evaluate the effectiveness of the program The m1tial 
report submitted to the committee must provide an assessment of the number of housmg 
umts and the scope of services needed to serve persons who are expenencmg chrome 
homelessness to serve as a baselme agamst which the effectiveness of the program and 
other services will be measured Subsequent reports must provide updates to that 
assessment m addition to the followmg 
A An accountmg of the services facilttated usmg money from the fund at properties 
that provide 24-hour, on-site services and properties that provide housmg stability 
services described under subsect10n 5, 
B An accountmg of services provided at properties under the program funded under 
the housmg outreach and member engagement provider program and services 
reimbursed under the MameCare program, 
C The number of residents served by the program and the number of months residents 
have av01ded returnmg to homelessness or mamtamed stable housmg, 
D The amount of money from the fund transferred to the Mame State Housmg 
Authority pursuant to subsection 4, paragraph C that is used for the purposes descubed 
m subsection 4, paragraph C, subparagraphs {1) and (2), and 
E Information requested by the committee considered necessary to evaluate the 
effectiveness of the program 
Sec. 2. 36 MRSA §4641-B, sub-§4-B, ~' as amended by PL 2021, c 753, § 1, is 
further amended to read· 
E. In fiscal year 2015-16 and each fiscal year the1eafter prior to fiscal year 2025-26, 
the Treasurer of State shall credit the revenues derived from the tax imposed pursuant 
to sect10n 4641-A, subsection 1 m accordance with this paragraph 
(1) At the begmnmg of the fiscal year, the Mame State Housmg Authority shall 
certify to the Treasurer of State the amount that 1s necessary and sufficient to meet 
the authority's obhgat10ns relating to bonds issued or planned to be issued by the 
authority under Title 30-A, section 4864. 
(2) On a monthly basis.,_ the Treasurer of State shall apply 50% of the revenues m 
6 
accordance with this subparagraph The Treasurer of State shall first pay revenues 
available under this subparagraph to the Mame State Housmg Authority, which 
shall deposit the funds m the Mame Energy, Housmg and Economic Recovery 
Fund estabhshed m Title 30-A, section 4863, until the amount patd equals the 
amount certified by the Mame State Housmg Authority under subparagraph ( 1 ), 
after which the Treasurer of State shall credit any remammg 1evenues available 
under this subparagraph to the General Fund 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~os 
CCX\1MITTEE AMENDMENT 73" to HP 4, L D 2 
(3) On a monthly basis, the Treasurer of State shall credit 50% of the revenues to 
the Mame State Housmg Authority, except that, notwithstandmg paragraph F, m 
fiscal year 2015-16, the Treasurer of State shall first credit $6,291,740 of the 
revenues available under this subparagraph to the General Fund and except that, 
notwithstandmg paragraph F, m fiscal year 2016-1 7, the Treasurer of State shall 
first credit $6,090,367 of the revenues available under this subparagraph to the 
General Fund and except that, notwithstandmg paragraph F, m fiscal years 2017-
and 2018-19, the Treasurer of State shall first credit $2,500,000 of the revenues 
available under this subparagraph to the Genet al Fund The Mame State Housmg 
Authonty shall deposit the funds received pursuant to this subparagraph m the 
Housmg Opportumties for Mame Fund created m Title 30-A, section 4853 
Begmmng July 1, 2023, the Mame State Housmg Authority shall use 25% of funds 
transferred to the Housmg Opportumties for Mame Fund under this subparagraph 
to support the creation of new housmg umts, through new construction or adaptive 
reuse, that are affordable to low-mcome households 
Sec. 3. 36 MRSA §4641-B, sub-§4-B, ,r.E-l 1s enacted to read 
E-1 In fiscal year 2025-26 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Treasurer of State shall 
credit the revenues derived from the tax imposed pursuant to section 4641-A, 
subsection 1 m accordance with this paragraph 
(1) At the begmnmg of the fiscal year, the Mame State Housmg Authonty shall 
certify to the Treasurer of State the amount that is necessary and sufficient to meet 
the authority's obhgat10ns relatmg to bonds issued or planned to be ISsued by the 
authonty under Title 30-A, sect10n 4864 
(2) On a monthly basts, the Treasurer of State shall apply 50% of the revenues 111 
accordance with this subparagraph The Treasm er of State shall fit st pay revenues 
available under this subparagraph to the Mame State Housmg Authonty, which 
shall deposit the funds m the Mame Energy, Housmg and Economic Recovery 
Fund establtshed m Title 3 0-A, sect10n 4863, until the amount paid equals the 
amount certified by the Mame State Housmg Authority under subparagraph (1), 
after which the Treasurer of State shall credit 1/2 of any remammg 1 evenues 
avatlable under this subpa1agraph to the General Fund and 1/2 of any 1emammg 
revenues available under this subparagraph to the Housmg First Fund estabhshed 
m Title 22, section 20-A, subsect10n 2 
(3) On a monthly basts, the Treasurer of State shall credit 50% of the revenues to 
the Mame State Housmg Authority The Mame State Housmg Authority shall 
deposit the funds received pursuant to this subparagraph m the Housmg 
Opportumt1es for Mame Fund created m Title 30-A, section 4853 Begmnmg July 
1, 2025, the Mame State Housmg Authonty shall use 25% of funds transfe11ed to 
the Housmg Opportunities for Mame Fund under this subparagraph to support the 
creation of new housmg umts, through new const1 uct10n or adaptive reuse, that are 
affordable to low-mcome households 
Sec. 4. Department of Health and Human Services to apply for state plan 
amendments to align certain MaineCare rules with Housing First Program. 
W rthm 9 months of the effective date of this Act, the Department of Health and Human 
Services shall apply to the Umted States Department of Health and Human Services, 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT B" to HP 4, L D 2 
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for relevant state plan amendments for rule 
Chapter 101 
MameCare Benefits Manual, Chapter II, Section 13, Targeted Case 
Management Services, and the Housmg Outreach and Member Engagement Provider 
Program withm rule Chapter 101 · MameCare Benefits Manual, Chapter II, Section 91, 
Health Home Services - Commumty Care Teams, to maximize the alignment of these rules 
with the Housmg First Program under the Mame Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 20-A, 
subsections 1 and 5 The department shall imtiate rulemakmg withm 120 days of receivmg 
state plan approval of the requested changes. 
Sec. 5. 
Appropriations and allocations. The followmg appropnat10ns and 
allocations are made. 
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF 
Housing First Program Z374 
Imtiative Provides a base allocation for the Department of Health and Human Services, 
Housmg First Program 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 
All Other 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL 
Housing First Program Z374 
2023-24 
$0 
$0 
2024-25 
$500 
$500 
Imtiative. Establishes one Public Service Manager II position and one Social Services 
Program Manager posit10n, begmmng January 1, 2024, to provide mitial plannmg and 
admmistratlon for the delivery of support and stabilization services to residents of 
properties established or developed to provide permanent housmg to end chrome 
homelessness m the State 
GENERAL FUND 
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT 
Pe1sonal Services 
All Other 
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, 
DEPARTMENT OF 
DEPARTMENT TOTALS 
GENERAL FUND 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 
DEPARTMENT TOTAL-ALL FUNDS 
HOUSING AUTHORITY, MAINE STATE 
Housing First - MSHA N447 
2023-24 
000 
$125,755 
$6,537 
$132,292 
2023-24 
$132,292 
$0 
$132,292 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
2024-25 
000 
$265,355 
$13,074 
$278,429 
2024-25 
$278,429 
$500 
$278,929 
~os 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 13" to HP 4, L D 2 
Imtiative Provides a base allocation to authorize expenditures of funds transferred from 
the Department of Health and Human Services to be used to provide technical assistance 
with capital and plannmg issues associated with developmg propei1ies consistent with the 
housmg model under the Housmg First Program and to develop affordable housmg proJects 
consistent with the housing model under the Housmg First Program 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 
2023-24 
All Other 
$500 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL 
HOUSING AUTHORITY, MAINE STATE 
DEPARTMENT TOTALS 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 
DEPARTMENT TOTAL-ALL FUNDS 
SECTION TOTALS 
GENERAL FUND 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 
SECTION TOTAL - ALL FUNDS 
$500 
2023-24 
$500 
$500 
2023-24 
$132,292 
$500 
$132,792 
2024-25 
$500 
$500 
2024-25 
$500 
$500 
2024-25 
$278,429 
$1,000 
$279,429 
Amend the bill by relettermg or renumbermg any nonconsecutive Part letter or section 
number to read consecutively 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill, which is a concept draft, and changes the title The 
amendment, the mmonty report of the committee, establishes the Housmg First Program 
withm the Department of Health and Human Se1 vices to fac1htate the delivery of 
stabihzat10n and support services to residents of properties established or developed to 
provide permanent housmg to persons who have been experiencmg chrome homelessness 
and to fund technical assistance, administered by the Maine State Housmg Authmity, for 
the development of housmg consistent with the program The amendment requires the 
department to ensut e that fundmg supplements ex1stmg and future services provided under 
associated programs such as the MaineCai e program and the housing outreach and membei 
engagement provider program The program is funded from the real estate tlansfer tax by 
depositmg half of the funds that would otherwise be deposited mto the General Fund into 
the Housmg First Fund created by the amendment The amendment du ects the Department 
of Health and Human Services and the Mame State Housing Authority to J omtly adopt rules 
to administer the program and reqmres them to report annually to the Joint standing 
committee or Jomt select committee of the Legislature having Jurisdiction over housmg 
matters for the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of the ptogiam The amendment 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
) 
/ 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 'fs' to HP 4, L D 2 
also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to apply to the Umted States 
Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 
for state plan amendments to ahgn certain MaineCare rules with the Housing First Program 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Revised 05/18/23 ;:/;Pae.. 
LD2 
LR345(03) 
An Act to Address Maine's Housing Cr1s1s 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'R ~- ;2.;)..aj 
Committee: Housing 
i;_,-.> 
~ 
Net Cost (Savmgs) 
General Fund 
Appropriations/ Allocations 
General Fund 
Other Special Revenue Funds 
Revenue 
Geneial Fund 
Other Special Revenue Funds 
Fiscal Detad and Notes 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
FY 2023-24 
$132,292 
$132,292 
$500 
$0 
$0 
FY 2024-25 
$278,429 
$278,429 
$1,000 
$0 
$0 
Projections 
FY 2025-26 
$11,067,207 
$286,920 
$10,780,787 
($10,780,287) 
$10,780,287 
Projections 
FY 2026-27 
$11,493,074 
$295,683 
$11,197, 
($11,197,391) 
$11,197,391 
This bill mcludes General Fund appropnattons to the Department of Health and Human Services of $132,292 m fiscal 
year 2023-24 and $278,429 m fiscal year 2024-25 to estabhsh one Pubhc Service Manager II position and one Social 
Services Program Manager posit10n begmnmg January 1, 2024 to provide imttal plannmg and admmistrat10n for the 
delivery of support and stabihzat10n services to residents of pt operties established or developed to provide permanent 
housmg to end chrome homelessness m the State The bill also mcludes an Other Special Revenue Funds base 
allocat10n of $500 m fiscal year 2024-25 to a newly created Housmg First Piogiam account withm the Depa1iment of 
Health and Human Services to facilitate the delivery of stab1hzat10n and supplemental services to 1 es1dents of 
properties established or developed to provide permanent housmg to persons who have been chromcally homeless 
The bill also mcludes an Other Special Revenue Funds base allocat10n of $500 per year begmmng m fiscal year 2023-
to a newly created Housmg Fust - MSHA program account withm the Mame State Housmg Authonty to authorize 
expenditures of funds transferred from the Department of Health and Human Services to be used to provide techmcal 
assistance with capital and planmng issues associated with developmg properties consistent with the housmg model 
descnbed by the Housmg Fust Program and to develop affordable housmg ptoJects consistent with that model 
LR0345(03) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1