AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Joint Select Committee on Housing voted Tuesday to advance a measure sponsored by Rep. Cheryl Golek, D-Harpswell, which would establish a commission to investigate income-based rental discrimination across the state.
"This legislation would begin to examine the extent to which income discrimination impacts renters in Maine," said Rep. Golek. "Housing affordability and accessibility impacts every aspect of life, from worker retention to public health. This commission would be a critical step towards alleviating Maine's housing crisis and creating rental equity."
As amended, LD 1710 would convene a bipartisan group of lawmakers to examine how tenants are discriminated against by their landlords due to reliance on rental assistance programs, such as Section 8 housing or municipal assistance. The commission would have until Nov. 6, 2024, to conduct its research before presenting a report of its findings and recommendations to the Joint Select Committee on Housing and the Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing.
"While my voice was part of creating this bill, credit must go to the voices of those with lived experience and housing justice advocates who worked tirelessly for years to create this much-needed legislation," said Golek. "With over 22 organizations and dozens of citizens providing hours of supporting testimony, it is indisputable that income-based discrimination towards tenants is a real and persistent problem in our state, and it is time we addressed it."
The bill faces votes in the House and Senate in the coming weeks.
Golek, a member of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee and the Joint Select Committee on Housing, is serving her first term in the Maine House and represents Harpswell and part of Brunswick.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Golek], 305-965-2744