Housing Bills for 2024

The 10 member Legislative Council meets later this week to vote on whether the newly proposed housing bills listed below will be considered in 2024. We will continue to update this summary list and information as we learn more. The below does not include bills carried over from last year related to housing.

LR: 2772 Sen. Rotundo - Title: An Act to Accelerate the Production of Housing and Strengthen the Maine Historic Property Rehabilitation Tax Credit - State historic tax credit expansion from $5 million to $10 million and clarification of fiscal versus calendar years it can be used.
LR 2650 - Rep. Lookner - Title: An Act to Prevent Homelessness During Repairs for Breach of the Covenant of Habitability and Rep. Rana: Two bills to end Homeless Encampment sweeps.
LR: 2921 - Sen. Chipman: Title: An Act to Address Maine's Affordable Housing Crisis. Three part bill that has a) $50M allocation to build affordable housing, b) adds 500 vouchers to MaineHousing, c) reduces minimum square footage of unit to 200SF
Rep. Malon: expands allowable location of manufactured housing to all single family lots in the state.
LR: 2963 - Sen. Tipping - Title: An Act to Assist Residents of the State Who Have High Rents: Help renter affordability by expanding property tax fairness to renters with $3k for single filers; and $3.5k for joint filers.
LR: 2962 - Sen. Tipping: Title: An Act to Assist First-time Home Buyers by Increasing Assistance Available from the Maine State Housing Authority- Increase income and purchase price qualifications for first time homebuyer support to reflect inflation and help up to $7k

Other bills:

LR: 2938 Sponsor: Rep. Golek, Title: An Act to Improve the Housing Voucher System
LR: 2966 Sponsor: Sen. Nangle, Title: An Act to Remove Barriers to Heating Assistance for Low-income and Moderate-income Maine Residents
LR: 2803 Sponsor: Sen. Pouliot, M of Kennebec Title: An Act to Increase Housing Options in Maine
LR: 2641 Sponsor: Sen. Chipman, B of Cumberland Title: An Act Regarding the Fees Charged for Keeping Pets

BDN article on housing policies for 2024 here

Maine Housing Conference: Presentations & Housing Study

Presentations are now available in the conference app, on the conference website, or via ShareFile. You will need your confirmation number to sign into the app or website. If you don't already have a ShareFile account you will need to set up a free account. Housing study available here.

Zoom registration here.

NLIHC and CBPP Release Updated Rental Housing Programs Database and Accompanying Report

NLIHC and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released today new updates to the Rental Housing Programs Database (RHPD), a publicly available collection of information on state and locally funded programs that create, preserve, or increase access to affordable rental housing. The RHPD helps promote a better understanding of how state and local governments use their own resources to close the gap between federal funding for rental housing and the needs of renters. An accompanying report summarizes the characteristics of the programs included in the updated RHPD.

Explore the Updated RHPD and Read the Report

NLIHC and CBPP are hosting a webinar on Wed, Nov. 8^th at 4pm to discuss the database and report. Register here.

Housing Opportunity Program - LD2003 Zoom sessions

The Housing Opportunity Program within the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is hosting three Zoom Q&A sessions in November to provide an opportunity for individuals to ask questions about P.L. 2021, ch. 672 (LD 2003) and LD 1706. We will not have a set agenda for these sessions but intend for them to be an opportunity for individuals to ask questions about these laws. No need to RSVP. These sessions will be recorded and available for viewing on DECD’s website. If you have any questions, please email housing.decd@maine.gov.

Session 1: Tuesday, November 7, 10:30-11:30am
Session 2: Tuesday, November 14, 2023, 10:30-11:30am
Session 3: Tuesday, November 28, 2023, 10:30-11:30am
Zoom link for all sessions: https://mainestate.zoom.us/j/84682717312

Still have questions about what LD 2003 means for your municipality? Email housing.decd@maine.gov to see how we can help!
Additional information can also be found on DECD’s website, including a recently updated version of DECD’s LD 2003 Guidance Document.

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