After much consideration and outreach regarding potential fiscal sponsors and organizational models for MAHC, the board has mapped an exciting path forward for MAHC and seeks member input.

Membership votes on these items will be held at our August 1, 9-10:30 am Member Meeting at the Portland Public Library via the rear entrance on Elm Street, Portland. Or members can be email beforehand to info@mainehousingcoalition.org and board chair Amy at acullen@szantoncompany.com.

1. VOTE 1: As you know, MAHC was looking for a new fiscal sponsor this spring. Upon evaluating this approach and the limited options, the board is recommending that MAHC incorporate as an independent 501c4.
    
2. VOTE 2: To move forward becoming an independent 501c4, MAHC needs to update its bylaws. With legal support from Curtis Thaxter, the board is sharing a revised version of the draft bylaws for member approval. Please email your input to: info@mainehousingcoalition.org. Draft Bylaws.
    
3. VOTE 3: MAHC's bylaws prescribe a membership vote on annual policy priorities. We have two priority bills being carried over from this year to next year (Incentivizing ADU development; Funding for Housing Development from 2025-2028). We seek your input in this survey to finalize our priorities (we sent this out before, but only 21 people have responded). We will workshop these ideas further and share a final before the vote on August 1. Priorities Survey

Session is about municipal payments to support municipalities with PL 2021, ch. 672 (LD 2003) compliance. This session will cover eligibility, allowable uses of the funding, the process for receiving payments, municipal responsibilities, and the appeal process. Will not cover Housing Opportunity Service Provider Grants. Registering for this session is not required. Questions? housing.decd@maine.gov.
https://mainestate.zoom.us/j/89554329546

Provides enhanced financial incentives for multifamily buildings in Maine with 3 to 15 units to upgrade insulation, heating, cooling, ventilation, or hot water systems. efficiencymaine.com/at-work/multifamily-retrofits to learn more about the funding, or get a virtual consultation with Efficiency Maine for free at efficiencymaine.com/business-customer-consultation.

Register for New NLIHC ERASE Webinar on State Legislative Efforts to Advance Tenant Protections - 7/27, 3-4:15 pm

Second webinar in our three-part End Rental Arrears to Stop Evictions (ERASE) summer webinar series! “State Legislative Efforts to Advance Tenant Protections,” will highlight the successes of 2022-2023 ERASE cohort members in implementing tenant protections and increasing housing stability. 
 

Advocates Submit More Than 1,300 Comments to FHFA on Federal Renter Protections – Submit Yours and Join NLIHC’s Support Letter

LD1931 Enacted “An Act to Foster Stable and Affordable Home Ownership in Mobile Home Parks by Amending the Laws Relating to the Sale of Mobile Home Parks”

Pat Schwebler, Co-Director or New England Resident Owned Communities shares, "This law gives residents a fighting chance to secure their homes when a park owner decides to sell. It includes a certified mail notification of an intent to sell, time to allow for organizing and securing financing, and “good faith” negotiations. The Maine Affordable Housing Coalition is considered an important organization in the State of Maine, and having your endorsement helped push it over the finish line! Data shows that once “Offer to Purchase” legislation is passed in a state, the Resident Owned Community (ROC) network grows considerably. Since NH passed a similar law, new ROC communities there average about 4 to 5 annually. Our current Maine ROC communities have so many elderly people aging in place and the majority live in poverty."

For development of multifamily housing, Maine is still on pace for a good year, by Peter Van Allen, mainebiz.biz, visited July 13, 2023

Building permits issued for structures of five units or more has had a surge in recent years. Maine's need for housing has been estimated to be 20,000 housing units. Multifamily housing is a key part of what's needed. Not just affordable housing, but also workforce units and market-rate apartments for singles, the elderly and young families. Looking at the building permits issued, the number of units approved actually hit a 20-year peak last year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. 

New Federal Funding to Prevent Youth Homelessness: The Runaway and Homeless Youth-Prevention Demonstration Program (RHY-PDP) 

Deadline to apply: July 31, 2023     Sponsor: Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) at the Administration for Children & Families (ACF)

Supports the design and delivery of community-based demonstration initiatives to prevent youth and young adults from experiencing homelessness. Through development and coordination of partnerships with youth and young adult services providers, community organizations, and private and public agencies, the RHY-PDP will: 1) Identify young people at risk of experiencing homelessness; 2) Design and develop a comprehensive community prevention plan to prevent youth homeless; and 3) Implement the robust, holistic services plan to respond to the diverse needs of youth who may be at risk of homelessness and their families.