An Act to Create the Stable Home Fund Program
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1540
Committee: Labor and Housing
Sponsors: MILLETT, VITELLI, GATTINE, GOLEK, KESSLER, LOOKNER, PERRY, RANA, WORTH, PIERCE

Legislative Document
No. 1540
H.P. 992
House of Representatives, April 6, 2023
An Act to Create the Stable Home Fund Program
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Labor and Housing suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative MILLETT of Cape Elizabeth.
Cosponsored by Senator VITELLI of Sagadahoc and
Representatives: GATTINE of Westbrook, GOLEK of Harpswell, KESSLER of South 
Portland, LOOKNER of Portland, PERRY of Calais, RANA of Bangor, WORTH of Ellsworth, 
Senator: PIERCE of Cumberland.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the State is experiencing the worst housing affordability crisis in its history 
and immediate action is necessary; and
Whereas, in 2021, the median income for renters was $34,018 compared to $71,717 
for homeowners; and
Whereas, 41% of renter households are paying more than 30% of their income on 
rent, 16% of renters are paying more than 50% of their income on rent and at least 15,000 
renter households are on a 3-year to 5-year waiting list for the so-called Section 8 rental 
assistance program; and
Whereas, the months of January and February in 2023 saw more eviction filings for 
renters than the previous 10 years; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  30-A MRSA c. 201, sub-c. 3-D is enacted to read:
SUBCHAPTER 3-D
STABLE HOME FUND PROGRAM
§4767.  Stable Home Fund Program
1.  Fund established.  The Stable Home Fund, referred to in this subchapter as "the 
fund," is established within the Maine State Housing Authority.  The fund may receive 
money from any available state, federal or private source.  The fund may not lapse, but 
must be carried forward to carry out the purposes of this subchapter.
2.  Program purpose. The Stable Home Fund Program, referred to in this subchapter 
as "the program," is an eviction prevention support program established within the Maine 
State Housing Authority.  The purpose of the program is to provide eligible persons with 
$300 per month in rental assistance paid directly to the landlord for up to 24 months or 
until those persons secure housing by means of a housing voucher program administered 
by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development under the United 
States Housing Act of 1937, Public Law 75-412, 50 Stat. 888, Section 8 or secure a 
subsidized housing unit.
3.  Administration. The Maine State Housing Authority shall administer the program 
under this section except that the Maine State Housing Authority may delegate the 
administration of the program and provide appropriate funding from the fund to a municipal 
housing authority with respect to providing assistance to eligible persons located within the 
municipal housing authority's jurisdiction. The administrator of the program may not 
require an application process for property owners, rental payment standards or unit 
inspections.
4.  Eligibility.  To be eligible for the program a person must:
A.  Earn less than 60% of the median income for the area as defined by the United 
States Department of Housing and Urban Development under the United States 
Housing Act of 1937, Public Law 75-412, 50 Stat. 888, Section 8; and
B.  At the time of application to the program, not be using a federal housing voucher 
to pay rent or live in a subsidized housing unit.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill, which includes an emergency preamble and emergency clause, creates the 
Stable Home Fund and the Stable Home Fund Program within the Maine State Housing 
Authority.  The purpose of the program is to provide persons earning up to 60% of the 
median income for an area as defined by the United States Department of Housing and 
Urban Development with $300 per month in rental assistance paid directly to the landlord 
for up to 24 months or until those persons secure housing by means of a housing voucher 
program administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban 
Development under the United States Housing Act of 1937, Public Law 75-412, 50 Stat. 
888, Section 8, as amended, or secure a subsidized housing unit.
The bill directs the Maine State Housing Authority to administer the program except 
that the Maine State Housing Authority may delegate the administration of the program 
and provide appropriate funding from the fund to a municipal housing authority with 
respect to eligible persons located within the municipal housing authority's jurisdiction.