An Act to Provide Funds to Reduce Student Homelessness
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 0747
Committee: Housing and Economic Development
Sponsors: BRENNAN, PIERCE

Legislative Document
No. 747
H.P. 489
House of Representatives, February 25, 2025
An Act to Provide Funds to Reduce Student Homelessness
Reference to the Committee on Housing and Economic Development suggested and 
ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative BRENNAN of Portland.
Cosponsored by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland and
Representatives: CLOUTIER of Lewiston, DODGE of Belfast, GRAMLICH of Old Orchard 
Beach, LOOKNER of Portland, MALON of Biddeford, MURPHY of Scarborough, 
SALISBURY of Westbrook, Senator: RAFFERTY of York.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  30-A MRSA c. 201, sub-c. 14, as amended, is further amended to read:
SUBCHAPTER 14
SUBSIDY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS STUDENTS
§4994-A.  Subsidy Rental assistance program for homeless students
1.  Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the 
following terms have the following meanings.
A.  "Elementary school" has the same meaning as in Title 20‑A, section 1, subsection 
10.
B.  "Homeless student" has the same meaning as in Title 20‑A, section 1, subsection 
13‑A.
C.  "Secondary school" has the same meaning as in Title 20‑A, section 1, subsection 
32.
2.  Program established.  The Maine State Housing Authority shall establish a housing 
subsidy rental assistance program for homeless students in elementary school and 
secondary school.  The authority shall adopt rules to implement this program.  Rules 
adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 
375, subchapter 2‑A.
Sec. 2. PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. KKKK, §2 is amended to read:
Sec. KKKK-2. Subsidy Rental assistance program development.  The Maine 
State Housing Authority, referred to in this section as "the authority," shall develop a rental 
subsidy assistance program for homeless students in coordination with the Department of 
Education and the Department of Health and Human Services and other agencies or service 
providers as the authority determines appropriate.  The authority shall consider ways in 
which the services provided by school-based housing navigators established by the federal 
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act could benefit the administration of a rental 
subsidy assistance program.  The program must provide housing subsidies rental assistance 
directly to homeless students or to an adult family member or guardian of the homeless 
student. In developing the program, the authority shall incorporate elements to provide 
housing subsidies to homeless students who have not attained 18 years of age who do not 
have adult family members or guardians to secure housing on their behalf. The authority 
shall report to the joint standing or joint select committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over housing matters on the progress of the program's development no later 
than January 15, 2025.
Sec. 3.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made.
HOUSING AUTHORITY, MAINE STATE
Rental Assistance Program for Homeless Students N501
Initiative: Provides ongoing funds for rental assistance for homeless students in elementary 
school and secondary school.
GENERAL FUND
2025-26
2026-27
All Other
$2,000,000
$2,000,000
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$2,000,000
$2,000,000
SUMMARY
This bill changes the name of the subsidy program for homeless students to the rental 
assistance program for homeless students. It removes the requirement that, in developing 
the program, the Maine State Housing Authority must incorporate elements to provide 
rental assistance to homeless students who have not attained 18 years of age who do not 
have adult family members or guardians to secure housing on their behalf. It provides 
ongoing funds for rental assistance for homeless students in elementary school and 
secondary school.