2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 30-A: MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES › Part 2: MUNICIPALITIES › Subpart 8: DEVELOPMENT › Chapter 201: HOUSING AUTHORITY › Subchapter 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS › 30-A §4702. Definitions

§4702. Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
1.  Area of operation.
"Area of operation" of a municipal housing authority includes all of the municipality for which it is created and, except as provided in paragraphs A, B and C‑1, the area within 10 miles outside its municipal boundaries. The area of operation of the Maine State Housing Authority is the entire State, except as provided in paragraph C‑1.
A. A municipal housing authority may not operate in any area in which a municipal housing authority already established is operating without the consent by resolution of the municipal housing authority already operating in that area.   [PL 2017, c. 234, §3 (AMD); PL 2017, c. 234, §42 (AFF).]
B. The area of operation of the housing authority of a municipality does not include any area that lies within the municipal boundaries of any municipality for which a municipal housing authority has been organized, without the consent by resolution of the legislative body or the select board of the other municipality.   [PL 2021, c. 275, §47 (AMD).]
C. [PL 2017, c. 234, §3 (RP); PL 2017, c. 234, §42 (AFF).]
C-1. A municipal housing authority has exclusive jurisdiction within the municipal boundaries of the municipality for which it was organized to administer regular tenant-based housing choice vouchers under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, Public Law 75-412, 50 Stat. 888, as amended. This paragraph does not limit the authority of the Maine State Housing Authority to administer project-based vouchers or to administer specialty vouchers that are associated with services such as case management, clinical services, child welfare services or other housing stability services.   [PL 2017, c. 234, §3 (NEW); PL 2017, c. 234, §42 (AFF).]
D. [PL 2017, c. 234, §3 (RP); PL 2017, c. 234, §42 (AFF).]
[PL 2021, c. 275, §47 (AMD).]
2.  Authority or housing authority.
"Authority" or "housing authority" means any of the public corporations created or authorized to be created by this chapter.
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
3.  Bonds.
"Bonds" means any bonds, notes, interim certificates, debentures or other obligations issued by an authority under this chapter.
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
4.  Construction loan.
"Construction loan" means a loan:
A. For the purpose of developing, constructing, reconstructing or rehabilitating a housing unit or housing project; and   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
B. Which is secured in the same manner as a mortgage loan is secured.   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
5.  Conventional mortgage.
[PL 2017, c. 234, §4 (RP).]
6.  Elderly.
"Elderly" means a person or family as defined in the United States Housing Act of 1937, Public Law 75-412, 50 Stat. 888, as amended.
[RR 2017, c. 1, §23 (COR).]
7.  Financial institution.
"Financial institution" means any bank or trust company, savings bank, savings and loan association, industrial bank, national banking association, federal savings and loan association, mortgage banker, credit union or other such institution authorized to do business in the State, or a government agency which customarily provides service or otherwise aids in the financing of mortgage loans.
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
8.  Home improvement note.
"Home improvement note" means an interest bearing obligation, secured in whole or in part by a mortgage, insurance or otherwise as may be agreed upon by the Maine State Housing Authority from time to time, made to improve or rehabilitate single-family or multi-unit residential housing in the State, including, without limitation, the replacement, removal or rehabilitation of malfunctioning waste water treatment systems.
[PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 48, §§1, 31 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
9.  Manufactured housing.
"Manufactured housing" has the same meaning as found in Title 10, section 9002, subsection 7.
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
10.  Mortgage loan.
"Mortgage loan" or "mortgage" means:
A. An interest-bearing obligation secured by a mortgage constituting a lien on single-family or multi-unit residential housing, including any mortgage loan made for the purpose of acquiring, developing, constructing or reconstructing single-family or multi-unit residential housing or for the purpose of preserving and maintaining the affordability of the housing;   [PL 2017, c. 234, §5 (AMD).]
B. An interest-bearing obligation which is fully insured under the Housing Mortgage Insurance Law, if the single-family or multi-unit residential housing is located on either the Passamaquoddy Indian Reservation or the Penobscot Indian Reservation;   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
C. A home improvement note;   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
D. An interest-bearing obligation secured by an interest in manufactured housing;   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
E. An interest-bearing obligation secured by a mortgage, pledge or collateral assignment of a lease of real property or a lease of air rights, provided that:
(1) The security includes a first lien upon the lease; and
(2) Except for mortgage loans secured by manufactured housing located on leased real property or air rights, the real property or air rights are not subject to any prior lien;   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
F. A participation interest in a mortgage loan; or   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
G. An interest-bearing obligation secured by a pledge or collateral assignment of a tenant-shareholder's interest in a consumer cooperative organized for housing purposes under Title 13, chapter 85.   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
This definition does not preclude the requirement of security in addition to that specified in this subsection for any mortgage loan.
[PL 2017, c. 234, §5 (AMD).]
10-A.  Municipal housing authority or municipal authority.
"Municipal housing authority" or "municipal authority" means any of the public corporations authorized to be created by section 4721.
[PL 2017, c. 234, §6 (NEW).]
11.  Obligee of the authority or obligee.
"Obligee of the authority" or "obligee" includes:
A. Any bondholder, agents or trustees for any bondholders;   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
B. Any lessor demising to the authority property used in connection with a project, or any assignee or assignees of the lessor's interest or any part of that interest; or   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
C. The Federal Government when it is a party to any contract with the authority.   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
12.  Persons of low income.
"Persons of low income" means persons or families, elderly or otherwise, who lack the income which is necessary, as determined by a housing authority, to enable them, without financial assistance, to live in or purchase decent, safe and sanitary dwellings, without overcrowding. Financial assistance includes, but is not limited to, the following kinds of assistance:
A. Mortgage insurance;   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
B. Interest subsidies;   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
C. Rent subsidies;   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
D. Public assistance payment or services; or   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
E. Any other assistance that may be provided by the Maine State Housing Authority through the sale of bonds.   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
13.  Privately insured mortgage.
[PL 2017, c. 234, §7 (RP).]
14.  Project or housing project.
"Project", "housing project" or "single-family or multi-unit residential housing" means any work or undertaking:
A. To demolish, clear or remove buildings from any slum area;   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
B. To provide decent, safe and sanitary dwellings, apartments or other living accommodations for persons of low income. A project may include dwellings, apartments or accommodations occupied by persons other than persons of low income, provided that in the opinion of the responsible authority, a reasonable number of the dwellings, apartments or accommodations in the project are reserved for occupancy by persons of low income. The work or undertaking may include buildings, land, equipment, facilities and other real or personal property for necessary, convenient or desirable appurtenances including private commercial activity subject to the restriction in subparagraph (1), streets, sewers, water service, utilities, parks, site preparation, landscaping, administrative, community, health, recreational, welfare or other purposes;
(1) The work or undertaking may include private commercial activity compatible with residential use as determined by an authority, provided that development costs related to that activity do not exceed 40% of the amount of debt financing provided by an authority; or   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
C. To accomplish a combination of the work or undertaking under paragraphs A and B.   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
The terms "project" or "housing project" may be applied to the planning of the buildings and improvements, the acquisition of property, the demolition of existing structures, the construction, reconstruction, alteration and repair of the improvements and all other work in connection with these activities. The term includes all other real and personal property and all tangible or intangible assets held or used in connection with the housing project.
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
15.  Select board.
"Select board" means the members of the select board of the town or, if the town has no select board, the officers charged with the duties customarily imposed on the select board of a town.
[PL 2021, c. 275, §48 (AMD).]
16.  State public body.
"State public body" means any city, town, district or other political subdivision of the State.
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1987, c. 737, §§A2,C106 (NEW). PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 48, §§1,31 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 104, §§C8,10 (AMD). PL 1991, c. 574, §1 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 104, §1 (AMD). RR 2017, c. 1, §23 (COR). PL 2017, c. 234, §§3-7 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 234, §42 (AFF). PL 2021, c. 275, §§47, 48 (AMD).