Resolve, to Direct the Department of Economic and Community
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1569
Committee: Housing and Economic Development
Sponsors: KESSLER

Legislative Document
No. 1569
H.P. 1027
House of Representatives, April 10, 2025
Resolve, to Direct the Department of Economic and Community 
Development to Form a Stakeholder Group to Analyze and Improve 
Home Repair Funding Programs in the State
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Housing and Economic Development suggested and 
ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative KESSLER of South Portland.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, Maine's aging housing stock, combined with extreme weather patterns and 
rising energy costs, presents an urgent threat to the safety and well-being of homeowners, 
particularly low-income, elderly and rural residents; and
Whereas, delayed home repairs are known to exacerbate health risks, increase energy 
consumption and cause financial hardship for homeowners; and
Whereas, the establishment of a stakeholder group to address gaps in funding and 
improve home repair programs is essential to mitigate these risks; and
Whereas, prompt action is necessary to ensure that Maine homeowners are equipped 
with the resources needed to maintain safe, resilient and energy-efficient homes; 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
Sec. 1.  Stakeholder group established. Resolved:  That the Department of 
Economic and Community Development shall establish a stakeholder group, referred to in 
this resolve as "the stakeholder group," to analyze efforts within the State to fund home 
repair programs and provide general funding for homeowners in need of home repairs. The 
stakeholder group shall review existing programs, identify gaps in funding and propose 
strategies to improve the effectiveness and accessibility of home repair funding initiatives.
Sec. 2.  Membership. Resolved:  That the stakeholder group must consist of the 
following members:
1. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, or the 
commissioner's designee, who serves as chair;
2.  The director of the Maine State Housing Authority, or the director's designee;
3.  A representative from a financial institution that provides home improvement loans, 
appointed by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development;
4.  A representative from a nonprofit organization that provides home repair assistance 
to low-income or elderly homeowners, appointed by the director of the Maine State 
Housing Authority;
5.  A representative from the Maine Municipal Association, appointed by the 
Commissioner of Economic and Community Development;
6.  A representative from a regional community action agency, appointed by the 
Commissioner of Economic and Community Development;
7.  A general contractor with experience in residential repairs, appointed by the 
Commissioner of Economic and Community Development;
8.  A representative from the office of aging and disability services within the 
Department of Health and Human Services, appointed by the Commissioner of Health and 
Human Services; and
9.  Any additional members considered necessary by the Commissioner of Economic 
and Community Development to ensure comprehensive stakeholder representation.
Sec. 3.  Duties. Resolved:  That the stakeholder group shall:
1.  Conduct a comprehensive review of existing home repair funding programs in the 
State, including eligibility criteria, application processes and program outcomes;
2.  Collect and analyze data on the effectiveness of current programs, including the 
number of homeowners served, the types of repairs funded, the typical cost of repairs and 
the geographic distribution of services;
3.  Identify gaps in funding and barriers to access, particularly for low-income, elderly 
and rural homeowners;
4.  Explore innovative funding mechanisms, including public-private partnerships, tax 
credits, bonding and revolving loan funds;
5.  Evaluate best practices from other states and jurisdictions;
6.  Solicit input from homeowners, contractors and community organizations on their 
experiences with existing programs and their suggestions for improvements;
7.  Assess the financial, health, energy and economic impacts resulting from delayed 
home repairs, including potential long-term costs and risks; and
8.  Develop recommendations for legislative, regulatory and program changes to 
improve the effectiveness and accessibility of home repair funding in the State.
Sec. 4.  Staff assistance. Resolved:  That the Department of Economic and 
Community Development shall provide staff assistance to the stakeholder group.
Sec. 5.  Meetings and reporting. Resolved:  That the stakeholder group shall hold 
public hearings to gather input from stakeholders and the general public. The 
Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall submit a report on the 
stakeholder group's findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the 
Joint Standing Committee on Housing and Economic Development by December 3, 2025. 
The joint standing committee may submit a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd 
Legislature based on the report.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Department of Economic and Community Development to 
establish a stakeholder group to analyze existing efforts to fund home repair programs and 
provide general funding for homeowners in need of home repairs. The group will review 
current programs, identify gaps in funding and propose strategies to improve the 
availability and effectiveness of these programs. The department will submit a report with 
the stakeholder group's recommendations and proposed legislation to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Housing and Economic Development by December 3, 2025.  The joint 
standing committee may submit a bill related to the report to the Second Regular Session 
of the 132nd Legislature.