Emergency Shelter Assessment Committee

EMERGENCY SHELTER ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE One City Center Thursday, February 15, 2024 9:00 AM AGENDA 1. Introductions a. Review and Approval of January 18, 2024 Minutes 2. Fiscal Year 2025 ESG Budget 3. Monthly Shelter Bed Usage Statistics a. January 2024 Monthly Shelter Statistics 4. Capacity at the Homeless Services Center (HSC) and 166 Riverside 5. Hub 2 Update 6. Region 1 Update 7. Federal, State and Local Legislation a. Bill Tracking 8. Other Business Next Meeting March 21, 2024 Time: 9:00 AM Location: One City Center If you should have any questions, please contact: Aaron Geyer Adam Harr Health & Human Services Department Health & Human Services Department Social Services Division Social Services Division (207) 482-5131 (207) 482-5144 aeg@portlandmaine.gov ash@portlandmaine.gov Page 1  PORTLAND HOMELESS SHELTERS Average Total Number of Individuals Residing in Shelters* per Night: January, 2023 January, 2024 ADOLESCENTS 15 Individuals 18 Individuals FAMILIES 123 Individuals 118 Individuals 46 Average Families 38 Average Families ADULTS 348 Individuals 352 Individuals Total 486 Individuals 489 Individuals Prepared by: City of Portland, Health & Human Page 2 Services Department, Social Services Division  HOMELESS SERVICES CENTER *Because people are entering JANUARY, 2024 the country in other communities then relocating here, what would be Intakes by Residency considered out of country intakes are captured as out of state. MAINE TOWN OUT-OF-STATE *OUT-OF-COUNTRY Alfred 1 Gorham 3 South Portland 13 AR 1 OK 1 Auburn 2 Gray 1 Standish 1 CA 1 VA 2 Augusta 2 Lewiston 6 Warren 2 CO 1 VT 2 Baldwin 1 Milo 2 Westbrook 9 FL 2 WV 1 Bangor 2 Naples 2 Windham 6 ID 2 Belfast 1 Parsonsfield 1 Yarmouth 1 MA 2 Bethel 1 Raymond 1 NC 1 Biddeford 7 Rumford 1 NE 1 Bridgeton 1 Saco 3 NH 2 Brunswick 1 Sanford 1 NY 4 Buxton 4 Scarborough 4 OH 1 Page 3 MAINE TOWN: 81 OUT-OF-STATE: 24 OUT-OF-COUNTRY: PORTLAND: 71 Unknown: 2 TOTAL: 178  PORTLAND, CITY-WIDE JANUARY, 2024 SHELTER INTAKES BY MONTH Pre-COVID Current INTAKES Bed Bed 2019 2023 2024 Capacity Capacity 250 16+ at shelter 216 Through These Doors 3 / 10 16 and hotel 198 199 200198 200 186 189 overflow 161 161 173 Family Shelter 8 / 22 146 146 156 153 154 150 144 Joe Kreisler 5 24 24 121 112 Milestone 15 41 36 98 97 100 HSC (Men) 123 154 at OSS, 75 at PSRC 208 HSC(Women) 55 overflow 50 25 at Shelter, 25 at Shelter, 0 Florence House 3 15 at Safe 15 at Safe AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN Haven Haven *NOTE: this and the next two slides compare the current year, last year, and the last year before the pandemic. Elena’s Way** 4 NA 40 * * All new intakes were unsheltered. Page 4 TOTAL 216 496 474+  PORTLAND, CITY-WIDE JANUARY, 2024 HOUSING PLACEMENTS BY MONTH 2019 2023 2024 TOTAL BED 50 48 48 HOUSING TEMPORARY PERMANENT NIGHTS 45 45 PLACEMENTS Through 40 3/7 212 3 36 37 These Doors 34 34 35 33 32 Family 30 10 / 36 6818 10 30 29 Shelter 27 27 27 27 25 24 23 Joe Kreisler 6 813 2 4 20 20 Milestone 0 15 HSC (Men) 5 620 5 10 HSC 2 689 2 5 (Women) Florence 0 4 1425 4 AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN House *Starting October, 2013, Oxford Street Shelter (replaced by HSC) shifted Elena’s Way 2 372 2 prioritization of housing placements to their 30 longest-term stayers. TOTAL 32 10,949 2 30 Page 5  PORTLAND, CITY-WIDE JANUARY, 2024 1st TIME HOMELESSNESS STATISTICS (BASED ON SELF-REPORTING) % of % of 2019 2023 2024 1st Time 1ST TIME the Portland 120 All Homeless % of All HOMELESSNESS Shelter First Time 106 STATISTICS Intakes Intakes Intake ’s Homeless 96 100 Intakes Intakes 91 Through These 3 / 10 0 - - - Doors 80 67 71 Family Shelter 8 / 22 8 / 22 100% 4% 15% 66 63 60 60 Joe Kreisler 5 4 80% 2% 7% 53 54 54 44 46 43 Milestone 15 9 60% 4% 17% 41 41 40 40 40 HSC (Men) 123 27 22% 13% 50% HSC (Women) 55 6 11% 3% 11% 20 Florence House 3 0 - - - 0 AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN Elena’s Way 4 0 - - - PageTOTAL 6 216 54 25% 100%  PORTLAND, CITY-WIDE JANUARY, 2024 *CTOs from the former Oxford Street Shelter carried over as restrictions with the same end date as the CTOs issued for the OSS shelter address CTOs FROM SHELTER and are included in this number. Anyone restricted from the HSC can ask to speak to management to request lifting the restriction. Total Current Criminal Trespass Orders Medical 2023 2024 CTOs in the CTO STATISTICS Restrictions Current CTOs 90 88 90 Month 90 86 87 84 in Month Family Shelter 0 0 80 Joe Kreisler 0 3 70 Milestone 2 10 60 HSC* 0 12 50 46 Florence House 2 3 Elena’s Way 0 0 40 35 34 33 31 TOTAL 4 28 30 28 CTOs Issued in the Month 10 8 20 6 6 6 6 5 4 4 10 3 3 2 1 1 0 0 AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN Page 7  PORTLAND, CITY-WIDE JANUARY, 2024 HOUSING PLACEMENTS BY TYPE Recovery Housing Family Sect. 8/ No S+C BRAP STEP OTHER* GA Home Project/PSH Reunification HCV Subsidy Through These Doors 1 1 1 Family Shelter 10 Joe Kreisler 2 4 Milestone HSC (Men) 1 1 3 HSC (Women) 1 1 Florence House 3 1 Elena’s Way 1 1 TOTAL 1 1 1 6 2 19 2 * Host Home Distribution of Placements in the Month: 32 1 1 1 6 2 19 2 19 2024 Placements: 32 6 0 1 0 1 1 Page 8 0 2 2  Calendar Through These Family Florence Joe HSC Elena's Total Milestone FS WC Day Doors Shelter House Kreisler Beds Way Bed Nights 1 16 106 39 18 37 182 2 40 440 2 16 106 42 18 34 206 2 40 464 PORTLAND, CITY-WIDE 3 16 106 42 18 36 216 2 40 476 4 16 106 41 18 28 217 2 40 468 5 16 108 40 19 32 230 2 40 487 JANUARY, 2024 6 7 16 16 108 108 39 40 18 18 25 25 240 230 2 2 40 40 488 479 SHELTER COUNT BY NIGHT 8 9 16 16 108 112 40 41 20 19 29 30 242 245 2 2 40 39 497 504 10 16 107 41 20 30 246 2 39 501 11 16 110 40 21 33 251 2 39 512 12 16 100 36 20 34 245 0 39 490 13 16 100 38 16 35 243 0 39 487 14 16 97 39 17 37 244 0 39 489 15 16 97 38 18 35 244 0 39 487 On January: 23 16 16 98 38 19 36 248 0 39 494 17 16 93 40 21 36 251 0 40 497 514 individuals 18 16 98 38 20 35 250 0 40 497 19 16 98 40 17 37 246 0 40 494 (including families) 20 16 96 40 20 31 243 0 40 486 21 16 96 39 19 31 239 0 40 480 were utilizing shelter services in 22 16 96 38 18 36 247 4 39 494 23 16 96 38 21 37 262 4 40 514 Portland 24 16 92 38 20 37 261 4 40 508 25 17 92 37 19 36 260 7 40 508 26 17 92 35 17 33 255 7 40 496 27 17 92 32 15 33 244 7 40 480 28 17 92 36 15 36 241 7 40 484 29 17 92 37 17 34 234 7 40 478 30 17 92 34 17 34 250 7 40 491 31 17 92 32 18 34 242 7 40 482 Total 503 3,086 1,188 571 1,036 7,454 83 1,231 15,152 Avg/night 16 100 38 18 33 240 3 40 489 Highest 17 112 42 21 37 262 7 40 514 Lowest 16 Page 9 92 32 15 25 182 0 39 440  Non-LTS HOMELESS SERVICES CENTER & COMMUNITY OVERFLOW HOUSING PLACEMENT DATA LTS 35 2023 HSC Placements: Non/Long Term Stayer 30 25 20 13 12 15 9 6 10 10 7 6 8 12 7 5 7 10 6 9 7 3 1 4 4 2 6 1 3 0 1 January February March April May June July August September October November December 35 2024 HSC Placements: Non/Long Term Stayer 30 25 20 15 10 5 6 0 1 January February March April May June July August September October November December Page 10  HOMELESS SERVICES CENTER PERMANENT AND TRANSITIONAL 2024 HOUSING PLACEMENT DATA 1 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 Auburn Biddeford Brunswick Gorham Lewiston Scarborough South Westbrook Other Maine Reunification Reunification Portland Towns with with friends/family friends/family in another in another Maine town* state* Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec TOTAL % TOTAL HOUSING PLACEMENTS 7 100% Portland 6 85.7% Auburn 0.0% Biddeford 1 14.3% Brunswick 0.0% Gorham 0.0% Lewiston 0.0% Sanford 0.0% South Portland 0.0% Westbrook 0.0% Other Maine Towns 0.0% Reunification with friends/family in another Maine town* 0.0% Reunification with friends/family in another Page 11 state* 0.0%  FAMILY SHELTER PERMANENT AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PLACEMENT DATA 2024 10 8 6 4 2 0 Portland Auburn Augusta Biddeford Gorham Gray Lewiston Lyman Mexico Old Orchard Sanford South Westbrook Yarmouth Other Maine Out of State Beach Portland Town Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec TOTAL 100% TOTAL HOUSING PLACEMENTS 10 Portland 9 90% Auburn 0% Augusta 0% Biddeford 0% Gorham 0% Gray 0% Lewiston 1 10% Lyman 0% Mexico 0% Old Orchard Beach 0% Sanford 0% South Portland 0% Westbrook 0% Yarmouth 0% Other Maine Town 0% Page 12 Out of State 0%  REVISED: 2/14/24 131ST LEGISLATURE SECOND REGULAR SESSION The Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature begins January 3, 2024. Statutory adjournment is April 17, 2024. USEFUL LINKS • Maine Legislature Homepage: http://legislature.maine.gov/ • Maine Legislature YouTube Channels for Legislative Committees: https://www.youtube.com/mainestatelegislature • Sign up to Testify and/or submit testimony here: https://www.mainelegislature.org/testimony/ Common Acronyms: AFA = Appropriations and Financial Affairs. HHS = Health and Human Services. OTP = Ought to Pass. OTP-AM = Ought to Pass as Amended. ONTP = Ought Not to Pass. BILLS Color code: Orange font = Budget bill; Black font = Homelessness related bill; Blue font = Service related; Green font = Housing/Rental Assistance related; Purple font = General Assistance & Safety Net related bills; Pink font = Food security related bills; highlighted in yellow = passed the House and/or Senate; highlighted in green = signed by the Governor and will become Public Law; Red text = the bill is now dead. BUDGET BILLS Bill # Sponsor Title Status & Committee Notes Governor’s Bill An Act Making Unified Supplemental The Governor released her Supplemental Budget. Appropriations and Allocations for the Part A; Part B; General Fund Bill Language. Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds, and Changing Certain • PART FF: establishes the Office of New Americans within Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future and also Operations of State Government for the establishes an advisory council to the Office of New Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2024 and June 30, Americans 2025 (aka Supplemental Budget) • PART HH: $16 million for the Emergency Housing Relief Fund: Emergency Housing Relief Fund Program, Other Special Revenue Funds account to supplement or establish programs addressing the needs of people experiencing homelessness or facing other immediate housing needs, and support other uses that address housing emergencies in the State, such as through privately-operated low barrier shelter, winter warming shelters, legal services, and other wraparound settlement supports intended to help individuals integrate into Maine’s workforce and communities to ensure that winter warming shelters, lower barrier shelters, longer term shelters and transitional housing programs can remain open, operating, and supporting the emergency housing needs of Maine people. HOMELESSNESS BILLS Bill # Sponsor Title Status & Committee Notes LD 1422 Rep. Michael An Act to End Homelessness and Assist Students Passed to be Enacted, This bill establishes a housing voucher program for homeless Brennan Who Are Homeless by Establishing a Housing placed on the Special students under the authority of the Maine State Housing 1 Page 13  Voucher Program and Providing Site-based Appropriations Table Authority and appropriates one-time funding of $2 million in Housing Services pending Passage to be fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25. The bill directs the Maine Enacted – CARRIED State Housing Authority to identify 3 sites in Maine to be used OVER for a site-based housing program and appropriates one-time funding of $3.5 million in fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25 to the Department of Health and Human Services to support the program. LD 2136 Rep A An Act to Provide Financial Support for Shelters for Public Hearing, This bill, as amended by the Committee, provides ongoing Mastraccio Unhoused Individuals Tuesday 1/23/24; funds for homeless shelters – allocating $10 million beginning Work Session 1/30/24 next fiscal year, and $2.5 million for low-barrier shelters. The – Housing Committee Committee amendment makes the bill an emergency and adds – OTP-AM unanimous a Legislative Study. of all present LD 2138 Rep C Madigan An Act to Improve Funding for Homeless Shelters This bill is now DEAD This resolve, as amended by the Sponsor, provides ongoing (instead incorporated funds for low-barrier homeless shelters – allocating $2.5 in LD 2136 above) million beginning next fiscal year. LD 2146 Rep. G Lookner An Act to Prohibit Certain Municipalities from Public Hearing This bill prohibits municipalities with populations exceeding Adopting Moratoria on Emergency Shelters 1/30/24, Work 30,000 people from adopting moratoria on the establishment Session 2/6 – State of emergency shelters that provide temporary shelter for and Local Government persons experiencing homelessness. Committee – Divided Report SERVICE BILLS Bill # Sponsor Title Status & Committee Notes LD 328 Sen. Trey An Act to Improve Mental Health in Maine This bill is now DEAD This bill brings MaineCare regulations into alignment with Stewart Dartmouth Assertive Community Treatment Scale fidelity items, ensuring high-quality, evidence based Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) services for Maine residents with psychotic disorders and high needs. LD 540 Rep. Melanie An Act to Establish Peer Respite Centers for Adults Passed to be Enacted, This bill requires the department to establish through contracts Sachs with Mental Health Challenges in Maine placed on the Special 2 peer respite centers in the State for persons 18 years of age Appropriations Table or older. The centers must provide 24-hour intentional peer pending Passage to be support to persons in need of mental health services on a Enacted – Carried over voluntary, short-term basis. LD 599 Rep. Michael An Act to Provide Support Services for a Passed to be Enacted, This bill provides ongoing funding for support services for a Brennan Transitional Housing Program for Homeless placed on the Special transitional housing program in Portland. Persons Appropriations Table pending Passage to be Enacted – Carried over LD 1633 Sen. Pinny An Act to Establish a Community-based Reentry Additional Work This bill creates a community-based reentry program Beebe-Center Program in All Department of Corrections Facilities Session on 12/23/23 – administered by a community based organization at each Criminal Justice and correctional facility operated by the Department of 2 Page 14  Public Safety Corrections. The program is a peer-supported program that Committee – Divided provides individualized reentry plans to incarcerated Report individuals starting from 2 years prior to an individual's release, involving multiple meetings to determine the individual's education, job training, substance use disorder treatment, housing and other needs subsequent to release and follow-up meetings after release to support the individual's reentry into the community and to reduce or prevent recidivism. This bill also creates the Peer Reentry Review Board, which oversees, advises, studies data and makes recommendations to the community-based reentry program and reports to the Commissioner of Corrections and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over criminal justice and public safety matters. LD 1975 Rep. Lydia An Act to Implement a Statewide Public Health Public hearing held This bill establishes the Substance Use, Health and Safety Fund Crafts Response to Substance Use and Amend the Laws 1/17/24 in the Department of Health and Human Services. Money Governing Scheduled Drugs deposited in the fund must be used by the department to oversee, approve and provide grants and funding to agencies, organizations and service providers, including the federally recognized Indian tribes in this State and service providers that are affiliated with federally recognized Indian tribes in this State, to increase voluntary access to community care for persons who need services related to substance use, as set forth in the bill. By June 30, 2024, and annually thereafter, the Legislature must appropriate to the fund an amount sufficient to fully fund the services as set forth in the bill. The bill repeals the laws that make possession of a schedule W, X, Y or Z drug and use of drug paraphernalia a crime. It also repeals the laws governing the civil violation of use of drug paraphernalia and possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia. LD 2082 Sen. R Bennett An Act to Ensure the Financial Stability of Public Hearing This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Behavioral Health Service and Housing Providers 1/24/24; Work Services to pay administrative expenses and interest charged Session 2/6/24 – HHS on lines of credit or loans accessed by behavioral health Committee – Tabled services providers and housing assistance providers when a delay in department contract award, finalization or payments requires the provider to access the line of credit or loan. HOUSING/RENTAL ASSISTANCE BILLS Bill # Sponsor Title Status & Committee Notes LD 1074 Sen. Matthea An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Public Hearing on 4/25 The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of Daughtry Fund New Affordable Housing for Low-Income - AFA Committee – $100,000,000, will be used to build new affordable housing for Households Carried over low-income households through the construction of new structures and adaptive reuse of existing structures. 3 Page 15 LD 226 Rep. Rebecca An Act to Address Maine’s Affordable Housing Passed to be Enacted, This bill provides one-time funds to MaineHousing in the amount Millett Crisis placed on the Special of $100,000,000 in fiscal year 2023-24 and in fiscal year 2024-25 Appropriations Table (only these FYs) to increase affordable housing stock in the State. pending Passage to be Enacted – Carried over LD 314 Sen. Craig An Act to Establish the Permanent Commission on This Bill is now DEAD This bill would establish the Permanent Commission on the Status Hickman the Status of Housing in Maine of Housing in Maine. The commission would be a quasi- independent agency funded through the Department of Economic and Community Development. Members of the commission would include housing advocates and organizations, policy makers, housing developers, housing experts, landlords and tenants. The commission would identify the hurdles to 1developing more housing units and recommend solutions to each branch of government. LD 337 Rep. Cheryl An Act to Amend the Regulations of Manufactured Public Hearing, Sponsor Amendment replaces the entire concept draft bill: Golek Housing to Increase Affordable Housing Tuesday 1/23/24; This amendment aims to increase affordable housing by allowing Work Session 1/30/24 manufactured housing (modular and “newer mobile homes” as – Housing Committee defined) to be located on lots where single family homes are voted OTP-AM allowed. This includes only 1)“newer mobile homes” built after 1976 that are constructed in compliance with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development standards, and 2) modular homes that the manufacturer certifies are constructed in compliance with Title 10, chapter 951, and rules adopted under that chapter. LD 371 Sen. Jeffrey An Act to Address Certain Local Zoning Ordinances Work Session 1/30/24 This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208. This bill Timberlake – State and Local proposes to address certain local zoning ordinances. Government Committee voted ONTP LD 387 Rep. Mark Blier An Act to Promote Affordable Housing by Providing This Bill is now DEAD This bill provides an income tax deduction for income received by a Tax Exemption for Housing Choice Vouchers a landlord as tenant based housing assistance payments in the form of Section 8 housing choice vouchers administered by the Maine State Housing Authority. LD 721 Sen. Matthea An Act to Preserve Historic Buildings and Promote This Bill is now DEAD This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208. This bill Daughtry Affordable Housing would enact provisions of law to preserve historic buildings and promote affordable housing. LD 853 Rep. Benjamin RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Public Hearing, This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to Collings Constitution of Maine to Establish a Right to Tuesday 1/23/24; declare that all individuals have a natural, inherent and Housing Work Session 1/30/24 unalienable right to housing. & 2/6/24 – Housing Committee – Divided Constitutional referendum - the municipal officers of this State Report shall notify the inhabitants of their respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for holding a statewide election, at a statewide election held in the month of November following the passage of this resolution, to vote upon 4 Page 16  the ratification of the amendment proposed in this resolution by voting upon the following question: "Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to declare that all individuals have a natural, inherent and unalienable right to housing?" LD 1294 Rep. Traci Gere An Act to Implement Several Recommendations of Work Session 2/13/24 This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208. This bill the Commission to Increase Housing Opportunities – Housing Committee would implement certain recommendations of the Commission To in Maine by Studying Land Use Regulations and – Voted OTP-AM Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Land Use Short-term Rentals Regulations and Short-term Rentals. LD 1298 Rep. Charles An Act to Allow a Local Option Sales Tax on Short- Public Hearing 2/13; This bill allows a municipality to impose a local option sales tax of Skold term Lodging to Fund Affordable Housing Work Session 2/13/24 1% on short-term lodging that is subject to the state sales and use and 2/27/24 – tax if approved by referendum of the voters in that municipality. Taxation Committee The revenue from the local option sales tax must be distributed to the municipality imposing the local option sales tax. The distributed revenue must be used in municipal programs that support affordable housing development in that municipality, including rental assistance for lower income households or moderate-income households. Revenue received by a municipality may not be used to reduce or eliminate funding otherwise due the municipality under other provisions of law. The local option sales tax may not take effect before July 1, 2024. LD 1490 Rep. Chris An Act to Reduce Rental Housing Costs by Work Session held This bill provides that at or prior to the commencement of a Kessler Eliminating Additional Fees at or Prior to the 1/16/24 – Judiciary tenancy, a landlord, the landlord's agent or a real estate broker Commencement of Tenancy Committee – Divided may not require a tenant or prospective tenant to pay an amount Report in excess of the rent for the first full month of occupancy, a security deposit and the purchase and installation cost for a key and lock. LD 1493 Rep. Raegan An Act to Increase Affordable Housing by Passed to be Enacted, This bill authorizes the creation of Pine Tree Housing Zones to LaRochelle Expanding Tax Increment Financing placed on the Special allow retained value resulting from a tax increment financing Appropriations Table district in a municipality to be used anywhere in the municipality pending Passage to be for the purposes of the purchase, rehabilitation or establishment Enacted – Carried over of affordable and workforce housing in the municipality. The bill provides for a sales tax exemption for the associated purchasing of goods and services and electricity for a qualified project in a Pine Tree Housing Zone. LD 1505 Rep. Kristen An Act to Amend the Maine Cooperative Passed to be This bill amends the Maine Cooperative Affordable Housing Cloutier Affordable Housing Ownership Act Engrossed as Ownership Act to include group equity cooperatives. It also Amended by provides that a housing assistance program must be made Committee reasonably available to residents of housing cooperatives. Amendment A in the House on 2/6 and the Seante on 2/13; the bill now faces votes for enactment LD 1540 Rep. Rebecca An Act to Create the Stable Home Fund Program Emergency bill This bill, which includes an emergency preamble and emergency Millett requiring 2/3’s clause, creates the Stable Home Fund and the Stable Home Fund 5 Page 17  majority vote – failed Program within MaineHousing. The purpose of the program is to 2/3’s majority vote in provide persons earning up to 60% of the median income for an the House but Passed area as defined by HUD with $300 per month in rental assistance in the Senate to be paid directly to the landlord for up to 24 months or until those Placed on the Special persons secure housing by means of a housing voucher program Appropriations Table administered by HUD under the United States Housing Act of on 6/21. Sent back to 1937, Public Law 75-412, 50 Stat. 888, Section 8, as amended, or the House for secure a subsidized housing unit. The bill directs MaineHousing to administer the program except that MaineHousing may delegate concurrence where it the administration of the program and provide appropriate failed 2/3’s needed funding from the fund to a municipal housing authority with for final passage – respect to eligible persons located within the municipal housing Carried over authority's jurisdiction. LD 1672 Rep. Traci Gere An Act to Establish an Affordable Housing Public Hearing held This bill establishes the Affordable Housing Development Review Permitting Process 1/5/24; Work Session Board under the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and 1/26/24 and 2/6/24 – Forestry's Bureau of Resource Information and Land Use Planning Housing Committee – in order to issue permits for the development of affordable Voted ONTP housing and workforce housing. LD 1673 Rep. Traci Gere An Act to Encourage Affordable Housing and Public Hearing on As Amended, this bill would establish a resolve to create a working Mixed-use Development by Establishing a Thriving 5/12; Work Session group to design a cross-agency plan. The Working Group would Corridors Program 1/12/24; Work consists of the Commissioners of: DOT, EPA, DECD, ACF, Housing, Session 1/26/24 – GOPIF. Housing Committee – Unanimous OTP-AM LD 1710 Rep. Cheryl An Act to Establish the Maine Rental Assistance Public Hearing on Sponsor Amendment amends the bill as follows: Golek and Guarantee Program and Amend the Laws 5/12; Work Session This amendment replaces the bill. This amendment requires the Regarding Tenants and the Municipal General 5/26; Work Session Maine State Housing Authority to establish and administer the Assistance Program 5/30; Work Session Maine Rental Assistance and Guarantee Program. The program 2/13/24 – Housing must include a rental assistance component to assist individuals Committee – Divided with the cost of rent and a rental guarantee component to Report encourage landlords to work with the program and other rental assistance programs in the State. The amendment also creates the Maine Rental Assistance and Guarantee Program Fund under the Maine State Housing Authority to carry out the program. The bill appropriates $16,000,000 of ongoing funds annually. The amendment makes it an unfair trade practice for a landlord to refuse to participate in a federal, state or local tenant-based rental assistance program. LD 1721 Sen. Jill Duson An Act to Create Transitional Housing Communities Public Hearing on This bill creates the Transitional Housing Community Construction for Homeless Populations in the State 5/12; Work Session Program Fund under MaineHousing to create transitional housing 1/5/24, and 1/30/24 - communities, which are clusters of transitional housing dwelling Housing Committee – units for homeless individuals and families to provide stability and Divided Report OTP- to allow the individuals and families to transition to permanent AM/ONTP housing. The bill directs that transitional housing communities be created throughout the State designed to cover all 16 counties. 6 Page 18  The bill directs DHHS, through independent housing services under its administration of assisted housing programs, to coordinate, arrange or provide services including job training and health care services for residents of transitional housing communities. The bill also provides one-time funding MaineHousing to create transitional housing communities and funding to the department to provide independent housing services to residents of transitional housing. LD 1864 Rep. James An Act to Increase Maine's Housing Supply by This Bill is now DEAD This bill provides restrictions on municipal ordinance requirements Boyle Prohibiting Certain Zoning Requirements in Areas related to minimum lot size in areas where water and sewer Where Public Sewer and Water Infrastructure Are infrastructure are available and in areas where water and sewer Available and in Designated Growth Areas infrastructure are not available but that are within designated growth areas. For a housing development served by a public, special district or other centrally managed water system and a public, special district or other comparable sewer system and that is located in an area in which dwelling units are allowed, a municipality must allow a dwelling unit on a lot with a minimum size of 5,000 square feet. For a housing development located in a designated growth area that is not served by a public, special district or other centrally managed water system and a public, special district or other comparable sewer system, that complies with minimum lot size requirements in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, chapter 423-A and that is located in an area in which dwelling units are allowed, a municipality must allow a dwelling unit on a lot with a minimum size of 20,000 square feet. The bill also provides limits to ordinance provisions relating to lot coverage, road frontage and setback requirements. LD 1867 Rep. Grayson An Act to Establish the Community Housing and Public Hearing on This bill establishes the Community Housing and Rural Lookner Rural Development Authority 5/19; Work Session Development Authority within the Maine Redevelopment Land 5/26, Work Session Bank Authority to develop, own, lease and maintain mixed- 1/26/24 – Housing income, permanently affordable public residential housing in this Committee Voted State. OTP-AM (6); ONTP (2) (ONTP due to $100M fiscal note) LD 1904 Speaker Rachel An Act to Enact the Fair Chance Housing Act Public Hearing on This bill establishes the Maine Fair Chance Housing Act, the purpose of Talbot Ross 5/15; Work Session which is to ensure that a person is not denied housing based solely on 5/24; 1/31/24 and the existence of a history of criminal convictions. This bill prohibits a housing provider from considering an applicant's criminal history until 2/6/24 – Judiciary after the housing provider determines that the applicant meets all Committee – Voted other qualifications for tenancy. A person who is aggrieved by a ONTP violation of the Maine Fair Chance Housing Act by a housing provider may file a grievance with the Maine Human Rights Commission and, if it is a violation by a private housing provider, may bring a civil action in court. 7 Page 19 LD 2106 Sen. M Rotundo An Act to Accelerate the Production of Housing Public Hearing This bill increases the maximum tax credit allowed for certified and Strengthen the Maine Historic Property 1/24/24; Work historic property rehabilitation projects. It also allows nonprofit Rehabilitation Tax Credit Session 2/13 – organizations that claim the historic preservation tax credit or the affordable housing tax credit to file their refund claims on a calendar Taxation Committee – year basis. The changes in the bill apply to tax years beginning on or Divided Report after January 1, 2024. LD 2158 Rep. C Golek An Act to Improve the Housing Voucher System Public Hearing This bill does the following regarding housing vouchers. 1/30/24; Work 1. It requires MaineHousing to collect data regarding and to submit Session 2/2/24, tabled applications to HUD for waivers that: A. Allow MaineHousing to enter into contracts at a higher rate than – Housing Committee the fair market rental rate as established by HUD. The waiver may not result in fewer housing vouchers being issued than before the waiver was obtained; B. Allow MaineHousing or a municipal housing authority to establish reasonable time limits for the use of housing vouchers issued by the MaineHousing or the municipal housing authority; and C. Allow MaineHousing or a municipal housing authority to issue housing vouchers that may be used upon issuance anywhere within the State. 2. Contingent upon approval of a waiver, it codifies under the powers and duties of MaineHousing the power authorized by each waiver. 3. It requires MaineHousing to submit: A. Suggested legislation that requires all housing authorities or public corporations created or authorized pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, chapter 201 to conform their housing voucher programs to the housing voucher program administered by MaineHousing; and B. A report detailing its efforts to obtain the 3 waivers from HUD. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over housing matters is authorized to report out to the 132nd Legislature in 2025 legislation related to the report and suggested legislation submitted by MaineHousing. LD 2169 Sen. M An Act to Create Workforce Housing to Promote Public Hearing 2/6/24; This bill establishes the Workforce Housing Development Loan Fund in Daughtry Economic Development in Maine Work Session the Department of Economic and Community Development to provide 2/13/24, Tabled – loans to support the development of affordable workforce housing. The department must solicit applications for loans from the fund Housing Committee through a competitive application process. Loans may be awarded to community banks at an interest rate of 0% to provide funding to housing developers to develop housing for employees who earn 60% to 120% of the area median income as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. LD 2209 Committee Bill An Act to Increase the Cap on Bonds Issued by the Public Hearing This committee bill is presented by the Joint Select Committee on Maine State Housing Authority to Reflect Current 2/20/24 1pm – Housing pursuant to Joint Order 2023, H.P. 3, section 3. The bill Housing Production Needs in the State Housing Committee increases the cap on mortgage purchase bonds authorized to be issued by the Maine State Housing Authority to align with current housing production needs in the State. 8 Page 20  GENERAL ASSISTANCE & SAFETY NET BILLS Bill # Sponsor Title Status & Committee Notes LD 1426 Rep. Kristi An Act to Secure Housing for the Most Vulnerable This bill is now DEAD This bill: Mathieson Maine Residents by Amending the Laws Governing 1. Requires an overseer, no later than the 120th day following Municipal General Assistance appointment or election, to complete training on the requirements of the municipal general assistance program; 2. Replaces, for determining the maximum level of assistance, the fair market value determination with setting the assistance at the equivalent amount of rental assistance provided for tenant-based housing choice vouchers under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 except that the benefit level may not be less than the difference between the applicant's income and 110% of the area's fair market rent; 3. Provides that if general assistance is being used to pay rent for an applicant whose rent is subject to a lease an overseer may redetermine the applicant's eligibility annually; 4. Increases from 70% to 90% the amount of state reimbursement for the costs of general assistance incurred by a municipality and each Indian tribe; 5. Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to reimburse each municipality for 5% of the direct costs of paying benefits incurred through its general assistance program; 6. Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish and provide overseers with access to a statewide database for tracking applicants for the general assistance program and expenses relating to the program; and 7. Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide assistance to municipalities with regard to processing applications for the general assistance program and directs the department to establish a hotline that is available 24 hours per day in order to provide consistent, accurate advice to overseers. It also requires the department to respond to requests for assistance within 24 hours LD 1664 Sen. Marianne An Act to Increase Reimbursement Under the Passed to be Enacted, This bill increases, from 70% to 90%, the amount of state Moore General Assistance Program placed on the Special reimbursement for the costs of general assistance incurred by Appropriations Table each municipality and Indian tribe. pending Passage to be Enacted – Carried over LD 1675 Rep. Michael An Act to Amend the Laws Governing the General This bill is now DEAD This bill amends the law governing the General Assistance (GA) Brennan Assistance Program Regarding Eligibility, Housing program to provide that a municipality must calculate housing Assistance and State Reimbursement and to assistance equivalent to the amount of rental assistance provided Establish a Working Group for tenant-based housing choice vouchers under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. The bill extends the period of eligibility from one month to 6 months. Beginning July 1, 2023, 9 Page 21  when a municipality incurs net general assistance costs in excess of 0.008% of that municipality's most recent state valuation relative to the state fiscal year for which reimbursement is being issued, DHHS must reimburse the municipality for 90% of the amount in excess of these expenditures. The bill also directs the department to establish a working group to study and make recommendations related to a uniform intake process and the conversion of the GA program into a housing assistance program. LD 1732 Rep. Michele An Act to Expand the General Assistance Program 1/30/24 Work Session This bill changes the municipal general assistance program in the Meyer – HHS Committee – following ways: Voted OTP-AM 1. It requires overseers and designated or appointed municipal officials administering the program to complete training within 120 days of election or appointment; 2. It requires municipalities to accept applications for general assistance during regular business hours; 3. It amends provisions governing the municipality of responsibility to increase the provision of assistance from 30 days to 6 months when a municipality assists an applicant in relocating to another community and from 6 months to 12 months when an applicant is residing in a group home, shelter, rehabilitation center, nursing home or hospital or in a hotel, motel or other temporary housing; 4. It increases, from 70% to 90%, the amount of state reimbursement for the costs of general assistance incurred by each municipality and Indian tribe. It also provides that, if a municipality elects to determine need without consideration of funds from a municipally controlled trust, the State is required to reimburse the municipality for 66 2/3% of the amount in excess of expenditures; 5. It provides state reimbursement for additional program costs, including emergency general assistance, temporary housing, interpreter services and administrative expenses; and 6. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide the services necessary to support municipalities, including education and training for certain state employees the delivery of trauma-informed and culturally and linguistically appropriate services, written decisions and a database. FOOD SECURITY BILLS Bill # Sponsor Title Status & Committee Notes LD 568 Rep. Matthew An Act to Provide Funding for the State Fund to Passed to be Enacted in This bill provides ongoing General Fund appropriations of Pouliot Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutrition the House and Senate. $600,000 to the Fund To Address Food Insecurity and Provide Incentives Placed on the Special Nutrition Incentives within the Department of Agriculture, Appropriations Table – Conservation and Forestry. The bill also removes the $50,000 limit Carried over on matching contributions from the fund criteria. 10 Page 22 LD 1584 Rep. Holly An Act to Provide Funding for the Supplemental Passed to be Enacted in Under the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the Federal Stover Nutrition Assistance Program to Temporarily Restore the House and Senate. Government provided emergency benefit allotments under the Benefits Being Reduced by the Federal Government Placed on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. These Appropriations Table – emergency benefit allotments are scheduled to expire March 1, 2023. Carried over This bill extends for 6 months, but on a decreasing basis, the amount of benefits available under SNAP by providing General Fund funds to provide the following level of benefits: 1. In March 2023, 100% of the federal emergency benefit allotment; 2. In April 2023, 75% of the federal emergency benefit allotment; 3. In May 2023, 50% of the federal emergency benefit allotment; and 4. From June through August 2023, 25% of the federal emergency benefit allotment. Beginning in September 2023, an additional amount is not provided. LD 1940 Sen. Craig An Act to Promote Consistent Policies within Growth This Bill is now DEAD This bill amends the laws governing planning and land use regulation Hickman Management Programs in Order to Increase Food to encourage: Security and Economic Resiliency in Local 1. Municipalities to ensure that the language and requirements in Communities charters, policies, codes, regulations, bylaws and fees align with each other and meet the overall intent of the comprehensive plan approved by the legislative body; 2. Municipalities to develop policies that assess community needs and environmental, food security and economic resiliency effects of municipal regulations, lessen the effect of excessive parking requirements for buildings in downtowns and on main streets and provide for alternative approaches for compliance relating to the reuse of upper floors of buildings in downtowns and on main streets; and 3. In the development of affordable housing, municipalities and multimunicipal regions to establish policies that assess food security and economic resiliency effects of municipal regulations. 11 Page 23  Policy/Advocacy Update – Revised: 2/2/24 Federal Legislation Update BUDGET & FUNDING-RELATED ITEMS - Updates Tax Package – Update – The House passed its tax package, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 (H.R. 7024), at the end of January. The bill now faces a full vote in the Senate. The tax bill includes provisions to expand the Child Tax Credit (CTC), as well as top two top legislative priorities related to affordable housing (also included in the bipartisan Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act that has widespread bipartisan support). The tax bill would do the following for affordable housing: • Restore the 12.5 percent allocation increase for nine percent LIHTCs for 2023 to 2025; and • Lower the 50 percent bond financing test to 30 percent for 2024 to 2025. FY 24 Budget – Update – Congress passed, and the President signed, another short-term two-tier, short-term continuing resolution (CR) to extend federal funding. THUD and three other federal spending bills are now funded through 3/1. Congress is likely to pass multiple mini-bus spending bills (vs. one large omnibus bill). As Congress finalizes the T-HUD budget for FY 24, it will need to provide a significant funding increase over 2023 levels for Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) to avoid a reduction in the number of families receiving HCVs. Based on CBPP figures, 600 fewer families in Maine would be assisted with HCVs in the House T-HUD bill, and 400 fewer families with the Senate bill. Senate FY 24 THUD Bill – No New Update – On 7/20 the Senate T-HUD Appropriations Committee released its FY 24 spending bill. Overall, the bill provides $70.06 billion for HUD’s affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs, an increase of $8.26 billion (or slightly more than 13%) over FY23-enacted levels. However, HUD needs to increase funding by approximately $13 billion just to maintain existing levels of assistance. Though, the Senate draft proposes $1.86 billion more in funding for HUD’s vital affordable housing and homelessness programs than the draft spending bill released by the U.S. House of Representatives on 7/11. The Senate THUD bill provides increased funding for key HUD programs, particularly those vital to getting or keeping people with the lowest incomes housed. The bill proposes: • $31.7 billion for the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program ($1.48 billion more than FY 23). o Expected to be sufficient to renew existing contracts and provides funding for an additional 4,000 vouchers targeted to Veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness and youth aging out of foster care – including $30 million for VASH ($20 million decrease from FY 23) and $30 million for the Family Unification Program (FUP) • $15.7 billion for Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) program ($884 million more than FY 23). • $686 for Section 811 Mainstream vouchers ($78 million increase from FY 23). • $3.9 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants (HAG) program ($275 million increase from FY 23). Within this is: o $100 million for the construction, preservation, and operation of permanent supportive housing, and $31 million for capacity-building grants and technical assistance. o Language that would allow HUD to complete funds every other year, cut down on time and resources spent on paperwork, and allow service providers to focus on delivering assistance (aka 2-year NOFOs). • $1.5 billion for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) and the recently authorized Grants to Identify and Remove Barriers to Affordable Housing program. • $1.5 billion for the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) (same as FY 23). • $4.5 billion for CDBG (decrease of $1.9 billion from FY 23). of that amount $3.3 billion is allocated for formula funding, while approximately $1.06 billion is earmarked for specific community development projects. The Senate proposal would also provide $100 million in funding for grants to identify and remove barriers to affordable housing – a $15 million increase from FY23. The program is zeroed out in the House draft. • Level funding for Section 202 Housing for the Elderly, Section 811 Housing for Persons with Disabilities, Housing Counseling Assistance, and fair housing programs. House FY 24 Appropriation Bills (including THUD) – No New Update – The House has yet to vote on the T-HUD; though a vote is expected in the near future. However, three amendments that would have reduced funding for HUD programs and affected access to housing failed. The House FY24 THUD spending bill proposes funding HUD at $68.2 billion, a $6.4 billion (or roughly 10%) increase to HUD programs over previously enacted levels. HUD needs an approximately $13 billion increase in funding over current levels just to maintain existing assistance. The spending bill proposes deep cuts to or even elimination of some HUD programs but appears to adequately fund most rental assistance programs. The bill would: • Fund Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) and Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) programs at levels that may be sufficient to renew existing contracts. • Provide a slight increase for HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants (HAG) program. Other HUD programs would face funding cuts, including: • The Public Housing Capital Fund, Public Housing Operating Fund, Section 811 Housing for Persons with Disabilities, and Section 202 Housing for the Elderly. • The HOME Investments Partnership Program would be cut by more than half. • Funding for several other programs – including the Family Unification Program, Incremental Vouchers, Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, and Housing Mobility Services – would be zeroed out completely. 1 Page 24  BILLS – Updates HR 6696 / S 3463 Eviction Prevention Act – No New Update – On 12/11 Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the “Eviction Prevention Act” (H.R.6696, S.3463) in the House and Senate, respectively. The bill would authorize new grants to provide legal representation to tenants, create the country’s first federal evictions database, and mandate a government report on evictions in the U.S. S 2932 Housing ACCESS Act – No New Update – On 9/26 Senator Markey introduced the Housing ACCESS Act, which would align housing and services resources and address the barriers providers face when seeking Medicaid reimbursement for housing-related services and support. It also requires a national study to determine rates that allow providers to pay living wages, reduce staff turnover, and ensure evidence-based case ratios. A companion bill is expected in the House. Farm Bill – No New Update– The US Farm Bill is a critical piece of legislation that sets agricultural policies nationwide for the next five years. The Farm Bill offers an opportunity to expand/enhance SNAP benefits for low-income households across the country. Some lawmakers wish to make changes to SNAP through the Farm bill which would reduce eligibility for and availability of SNAP benefits for households. HR 5221 Homeless Children and Youth Act – No New Update – On 8/15 Representatives Mikie Sherrill, Bill Posey, Delia Ramirez, and Don Bacon reintroduced the bipartisan Homeless Children and Youth Act. This bill remedies the issue of most children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness being ineligible for homeless assistance because they do not meet the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) definition of homelessness by aligning federal definitions of homelessness for children and youth, streamlining assistance, leveraging resources, and bringing greater visibility to the reality of family and youth homelessness. S 2701/HR 5254 Housing for All Act of 2023 – No New Update – Introduced by Senator Alex Padilla on 7/27 in the Senate (and by Rep Ted Lieu in the House on 8/22), this bill would address the homelessness and housing crises, moving towards the goal of providing for a home for all Americans. S 1557/ HR 3238 The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act – No New Update – Senators Collins and King cosponsored bipartisan legislation to create nearly two million new affordable homes across the country – including thousands in Maine. The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act would expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) to provide more homes for low-income people, support small businesses trying to attract workers, and fill the state’s gap of more than 20,000 affordable housing units. The bill would: • Increase the number of credits available to states by 50 percent for the next two years and make the temporary 12.5 percent increase secured in 2018 permanent—which has already helped build more than 59,000 additional affordable housing units nationwide. • Stabilize financing for workforce housing projects built using private activity bonds by decreasing the amount of private activity bonds needed to secure Housing Credit funding. As a result, projects would have to carry less debt, and more projects would be eligible to receive funding. S 1436, CHARGE Act of 2023 – No New Update – Introduced on 5/3 by Senator Jon Tester, this bill would permanently authorize additional services for Veterans experiencing homelessness that were authorized at the beginning of the pandemic. These services include: Basic essentials like food, shelter, clothing, blankets, and hygiene items; Transportation to appointments with service providers and conducting housing searches; and ways to stay in touch with providers and landlords, such as tablets, smartphones, and data plans. HR 3848, Housing Our Military Veterans Effectively Act of 2023 – No New Update – This bill passed the House on 12/5 and was sent to the Senate for consideration. Introduced on 7/26 by Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, this bill would revive crucial services authorized during the pandemic to provide lifesaving services under the Grant and Per Diem Program (GPD), which funds transitional housing programs for homeless veterans. These services include transportation to doctor appointments and food banks, communications devices for hearing impaired veterans, personal care products along with a dearth of other vital services and resources. that have led to a significant increase in the housing stability and improved the lives of veterans across the country. S 1257 / HR 3776, Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act – No New Update – This bill was reintroduced in the Senate on 4/25 by Senators Van Hollen and Young. This bipartisan bill would create 250,000 new housing vouchers, paired with mobility- related services, to help low-income families with young children move to communities of their choice, including neighborhoods with high-performing schools and high-quality childcare and early education programs. S 680 / HR 6970 DASH Act – Update – Reintroduced by Senator Wyden on 3/7, the DASH Act would make a generational investment to house all people experiencing homelessness, tackle the housing affordability crisis, and expand homeownership opportunities for young people by creating a new down payment tax credit for first-time homebuyers. On 1/11/24, Representatives Val Hoyle (D-OR) and Salud Carbajal (D-CA) introduced a companion bill in the House. The DASH Act would make stable, safe and decent housing available for all by: • Housing everyone experiencing homelessness within five years, and prioritizing children and families for placement, by issuing them a Housing Choice Voucher, because young children are heavily impacted by housing instability, and because housing is a chief determinant of health; • Expanding health, child care, financial and nutrition services for families and individuals to stay on a path to unassisted housing stability, because the climb out of housing poverty is nearly impossible to complete alone; • Greatly increasing the production of deeply affordable housing for families exiting homelessness and for low-income households by investing in effective, efficient existing programs and reforming the tax code to strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax 2 Page 25  Credit (LIHTC) to weather the economic fallout from the pandemic, as well as establish a Renter's Tax Credit and Middle-Income Housing Tax Credit (MIHTC); • Investing in homeownership in underserved communities and for low income Americans with new tax credits and down payment assistance, including a down payment tax credit for first-time homebuyers; and • Incentivizing environmentally-friendly development strategies and land use policies. • Permanent authorization of appropriations for McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act grants. HR 1708 Housing is a Human Right Act of 2023 – No New Update – On 3/22 Rep. Pramila Jayapal introduced the Housing is a Human Right Act of 2023, which would address root causes of homelessness, meet the needs of community members experiencing harms from homelessness, transition communities towards providing housing for all, end penalization of homelessness, and ensure full democratic participation and inclusion of persons experiencing homelessness, and for other purposes. S 255 Asylum Seekers Work Authorization Act of 2023 – No New Update – On 2/3 Senators Collins and Sinema reintroduced the Asylum Seekers Work Authorization Act of 2023, which would make asylum seekers eligible to receive work authorizations starting 30 days after filing an asylum application. Senator King is an original co-sponsor. On 3/1, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree reintroduced the Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act in the House. HR 9587 Tenants’ Right to organize Act – No new update – On 12/19 Rep. Andy Levin introduced the Tenant’s Right to Organize Act. Per NLIHC, the bill would “protect the organizing rights of tenants with Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) and tenants living in Low- Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties. Currently, only public housing tenants have a legally recognized right to organize. In extending the right to organize to HCV and LIHTC tenants, the bill recognizes that all tenants have the right to decent, safe, stable, and sanitary housing.” RULES/Other Federal Items of Note Supreme Court Case Re. Homelessness – New – The U.S. Supreme Court announced on 1/12 that it will hear Johnson v. City of Grants Pass, a case that will determine whether people experiencing homelessness have a constitutional right to camp on public property when they do not have a place to sleep. The Supreme Court will decide whether laws regulating camping on public property constitute “cruel and unusual punishment” prohibited by the Eighth Amendment. Proposed Rule to Provide 30-Day Notice before Initiating Eviction Proceedings for Non-Payment of Rent – New – HUD will hold a listening session for tenants regarding a proposed rule that would require a public housing agency (PHA) or owner of a property assisted with Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) to provide a 30-day notice to a household before starting a formal judicial eviction procedure to terminate a lease for non-payment of rent. The listening session is scheduled for 12:30 pm ET on January 23. Register for the session here. State Update: Please see the Bill Tracking document for the State legislature Update. 3 Page 26 131ST LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION SHORT LIST OF KEY BILLS The Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature begins January 3, 2024. Statutory adjournment is April 17, 2024. REVISED: 2/14/24 USEFUL LINKS • Maine Legislature Homepage: http://legislature.maine.gov/ • Sign up to Testify and/or submit testimony here: https://www.mainelegislature.org/testimony/ Common Acronyms: AFA = Appropriations and Financial Affairs. HHS = Health and Human Services. OTP = Ought to Pass. OTP-AM = Ought to Pass as Amended. ONTP = Ought Not to Pass. Color code: Orange font = Budget bill; Black font = Homelessness related bill; Blue font = Service related; Green font = Housing/Rental Assistance related; Purple font = General Assistance & Safety Net related bills; Pink font = Food security related bills; highlighted in yellow = passed the House and/or Senate; highlighted in green = signed by the Governor and will become Public Law; Red text = the bill is now dead. BUDGET BILLS Bill # Sponsor Title Status & Committee Notes Governor’s Bill Supplemental Budget The Governor released her Supplemental Budget. Part A; Part B; General Fund Bill Language. • PART FF: establishes the Office of New Americans within the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future and also establishes an advisory council to the Office of New Americans • PART HH: $16 million for the Emergency Housing Relief Fund: Emergency Housing Relief Fund Program, Other Special Revenue Funds account to supplement or establish programs addressing the needs of people experiencing homelessness or facing other immediate housing needs, and support other uses that address housing emergencies in the State, such as through privately-operated low barrier shelter, winter warming shelters, legal services, and other wraparound settlement supports intended to help individuals integrate into Maine’s workforce and communities to ensure that winter warming shelters, lower barrier shelters, longer term shelters and transitional housing programs can remain open, operating, and supporting the emergency housing needs of Maine people. HOMELESSNESS BILLS Bill # Sponsor Title Status & Committee Notes LD 1422 Rep. Michael An Act to End Homelessness and Assist Students Passed to be Enacted, This bill establishes a housing voucher program for homeless students Brennan Who Are Homeless by Establishing a Housing placed on the Special under the authority of the Maine State Housing Authority and Voucher Program and Providing Site-based Appropriations Table appropriates one-time funding of $2 million in fiscal years 2023-24 and pending Passage to be 2024-25. The bill directs the Maine State Housing Authority to identify Housing Services Enacted – CARRIED 3 sites in Maine to be used for a site-based housing program and OVER appropriates one-time funding of $3.5 million in fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25 to the DHHS to support the program. 1 Page 27 LD 2136 Rep A An Act to Provide Financial Support for Shelters Public Hearing, This bill, as amended by the Committee, provides ongoing Mastraccio for Unhoused Individuals Tuesday 1/23/24; funds for homeless shelters – allocating $10 million beginning Work Session 1/30/24 next fiscal year, and $2.5 million for low-barrier shelters. The – Housing Committee – Committee amendment makes the bill an emergency and adds Voted OTP-AM a Legislative Study. unanimous of all present LD 2138 Rep C Madigan An Act to Improve Funding for Homeless Shelters This bill is now DEAD This resolve, as amended by the Sponsor, provides ongoing (instead incorporated funds for low-barrier homeless shelters – allocating $2.5 million in LD 2136 above) beginning next fiscal year. LD 2146 Rep. G Lookner An Act to Prohibit Certain Municipalities from Public Hearing This bill prohibits municipalities with populations exceeding Adopting Moratoria on Emergency Shelters 1/30/24, Work Session 30,000 people from adopting moratoria on the establishment 2/6 – State and Local of emergency shelters that provide temporary shelter for Government persons experiencing homelessness. Committee – Divided Report SERVICE BILLS Bill # Sponsor Title Status & Committee Notes LD 1975 Rep. Lydia Crafts An Act to Implement a Statewide Public Health Public hearing held This bill establishes the Substance Use, Health and Safety Fund Response to Substance Use and Amend the Laws 1/17/24 in the Department of Health and Human Services. Money Governing Scheduled Drugs deposited in the fund must be used by the department to oversee, approve and provide grants and funding to agencies, organizations and service providers, including the federally recognized Indian tribes in this State and service providers that are affiliated with federally recognized Indian tribes in this State, to increase voluntary access to community care for persons who need services related to substance use, as set forth in the bill. By June 30, 2024, and annually thereafter, the Legislature must appropriate to the fund an amount sufficient to fully fund the services as set forth in the bill. The bill repeals the laws that make possession of a schedule W, X, Y or Z drug and use of drug paraphernalia a crime. It also repeals the laws governing the civil violation of use of drug paraphernalia and possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia. HOUSING/RENTAL ASSISTANCE BILLS Bill # Sponsor Title Status & Committee Notes LD 1074 Sen. Matthea An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Public Hearing on 4/25 - $100,000,000 bond issue to build new affordable housing for low- Daughtry Fund New Affordable Housing for Low-Income AFA Committee – income households. Households Carried Over LD 226 Rep. Rebecca An Act to Address Maine’s Affordable Housing Passed to be Enacted, This bill provides one-time funds to MaineHousing in the amount of Millett Crisis placed on the Special $100,000,000 in fiscal year 2023-24 and in fiscal year 2024-25 (only Appropriations Table these FYs) to increase affordable housing stock in the State. 2 Page 28  pending Passage to be Enacted – Carried over LD 1540 Rep. Rebecca An Act to Create the Stable Home Fund Program Emergency bill requiring This bill, which includes an emergency preamble and emergency Millett 2/3’s majority vote – clause, creates the Stable Home Fund and the Stable Home Fund failed 2/3’s majority vote Program within MaineHousing. The purpose of the program is to in the House but Passed provide persons earning up to 60% of the median income for an area in the Senate to be as defined by HUD with $300 per month in rental assistance paid Placed on the Special directly to the landlord for up to 24 months or until those persons Appropriations Table on secure housing by means of a housing voucher program administered by HUD under the United States Housing Act of 1937, Public Law 75- 6/21. Sent back to the 412, 50 Stat. 888, Section 8, as amended, or secure a subsidized House for concurrence housing unit. The bill directs MaineHousing to administer the program where it failed 2/3’s except that MaineHousing may delegate the administration of the needed for final passage program and provide appropriate funding from the fund to a – Carried over municipal housing authority with respect to eligible persons located within the municipal housing authority's jurisdiction. LD 1710 Rep. Cheryl An Act to Establish the Maine Rental Assistance Public Hearing on 5/12; Sponsor Amendment amends the bill as follows: Golek and Guarantee Program and Amend the Laws Work Session 2/13/24 This amendment replaces the bill. This amendment requires the Regarding Tenants and the Municipal General – Housing Committee – Maine State Housing Authority to establish and administer the Assistance Program Divided Report Maine Rental Assistance and Guarantee Program. The program must include a rental assistance component to assist individuals with the cost of rent and a rental guarantee component to encourage landlords to work with the program and other rental assistance programs in the State. The amendment also creates the Maine Rental Assistance and Guarantee Program Fund under the Maine State Housing Authority to carry out the program. The bill appropriates $16,000,000 of ongoing funds annually. The amendment makes it an unfair trade practice for a landlord to refuse to participate in a federal, state or local tenant-based rental assistance program. LD 2106 Sen. M Rotundo An Act to Accelerate the Production of Housing Public Hearing This bill increases the maximum tax credit allowed for certified historic and Strengthen the Maine Historic Property 1/24/24; Work Session property rehabilitation projects. It also allows nonprofit organizations Rehabilitation Tax Credit 2/13 – Taxation that claim the historic preservation tax credit or the affordable housing tax credit to file their refund claims on a calendar year basis. Committee – Divided The changes in the bill apply to tax years beginning on or after January Report 1, 2024. GENERAL ASSISTANCE & SAFETY NET BILLS Bill # Sponsor Title Status & Committee Notes LD 1426 Rep. Kristi An Act to Secure Housing for the Most Vulnerable This bill is now DEAD This bill: Mathieson Maine Residents by Amending the Laws 1. Requires an overseer, no later than the 120th day following Governing Municipal General Assistance appointment or election, to complete training on the requirements of the municipal GA program; 2. Replaces, for determining the maximum level of assistance, the fair market value determination with setting the assistance at the equivalent amount of rental assistance provided for tenant-based housing choice vouchers under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 except that the benefit level may not be less than the 3 Page 29  difference between the applicant's income and 110% of the area's fair market rent; 3. Provides that if general assistance is being used to pay rent for an applicant whose rent is subject to a lease an overseer may redetermine the applicant's eligibility annually; 4. Increases from 70% to 90% the amount of state reimbursement for the costs of GA incurred by a municipality and each Indian tribe; 5. Directs DHHS to reimburse each municipality for 5% of the direct costs of paying benefits incurred through GA program; 6. Directs DHHS to establish and provide overseers with access to a statewide database for tracking applicants for the GA program and expenses relating to the program; and 7. Requires DHHS to provide assistance to municipalities with regard to processing applications for the GA program and directs the department to establish a hotline that is available 24 hours per day in order to provide consistent, accurate advice to overseers. It also requires the department to respond to requests for assistance within 24 hours LD 1664 Sen. Marianne An Act to Increase Reimbursement Under the Passed to be Enacted, This bill increases, from 70% to 90%, the amount of state Moore General Assistance Program placed on the Special reimbursement for the costs of general assistance incurred by Appropriations Table each municipality and Indian tribe. pending Passage to be Enacted – Carried over LD 1675 Rep. Michael An Act to Amend the Laws Governing the General This bill is now DEAD This bill amends the law governing the General Assistance (GA) Brennan Assistance Program Regarding Eligibility, Housing program to provide that a municipality must calculate housing Assistance and State Reimbursement and to assistance equivalent to the amount of rental assistance provided for tenant-based housing choice vouchers under Section 8 of the United Establish a Working Group States Housing Act of 1937. The bill extends the period of eligibility from one month to 6 months. Beginning July 1, 2023, when a municipality incurs net general assistance costs in excess of 0.008% of that municipality's most recent state valuation relative to the state fiscal year for which reimbursement is being issued, DHHS must reimburse the municipality for 90% of the amount in excess of these expenditures. The bill also directs the department to establish a working group to study and make recommendations related to a uniform intake process and the conversion of the GA program into a housing assistance program. LD 1732 Rep. Michele An Act to Expand the General Assistance Program 1/30/24 Work Session This bill changes the municipal general assistance program in the Meyer – HHS Committee – following ways: Voted OTP-AM 1. It requires overseers and designated or appointed municipal officials administering the program to complete training within 120 days of election or appointment; 2. It requires municipalities to accept applications for general assistance during regular business hours; 3. It amends provisions governing the municipality of responsibility to increase the provision of assistance from 30 days to 6 months when a municipality assists an applicant in relocating to another community and from 6 months to 12 months when an applicant is residing in a 4 Page 30  group home, shelter, rehabilitation center, nursing home or hospital or in a hotel, motel or other temporary housing; 4. It increases, from 70% to 90%, the amount of state reimbursement for the costs of general assistance incurred by each municipality and Indian tribe. It also provides that, if a municipality elects to determine need without consideration of funds from a municipally controlled trust, the State is required to reimburse the municipality for 66 2/3% of the amount in excess of expenditures; 5. It provides state reimbursement for additional program costs, including emergency general assistance, temporary housing, interpreter services and administrative expenses; and 6. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide the services necessary to support municipalities, including education and training for certain state employees the delivery of trauma- informed and culturally and linguistically appropriate services, written decisions and a database. FOOD SECURITY BILLS Bill # Sponsor Title Status & Committee Notes LD 568 Rep. Matthew An Act to Provide Funding for the State Fund to Passed to be Enacted in This bill provides ongoing General Fund appropriations of $600,000 to Pouliot Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutrition the House and Senate. the Fund To Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutrition Incentives Incentives Placed on the Special within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The Appropriations Table – bill also removes the $50,000 limit on matching contributions from the Carried over fund criteria. 5 Page 31