AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Joint Select Committee on Housing unanimously advanced legislation on Tuesday sponsored by Rep. Cheryl Golek, D-Harpswell, that would establish a stakeholder group to examine systematic difficulties in obtaining and utilizing low-income affordable housing vouchers and provide further support for Section 8 housing voucher recipients.
Amid the state's current housing crisis, Mainers hoping to secure an affordable place to live with the assistance of a housing voucher can find themselves spending up to seven years on the voucher programs waiting list. When the individual or family finally receives their voucher, they are often forced to contend with additional barriers to affordable rentals, such as the states low housing stock and a lack of protections against source-of-income discrimination, resulting in a deficit of participating landlords.
"Rental assistance programs are lifesaving for folks living at or below 30% of the area median income," said Golek. "Although Section 8 is a federal program, there is space at the state level to improve the voucher system and make it work better for those who need it most. This bill will help to do just that."
As amended, LD 2158 would direct the Maine State Housing Authority to form a committee of experts, including those with experience working within housing authorities, rental navigation programs, general assistance and the legal field. The group would work to investigate ways to improve the housing voucher system, including outlining how to request a fair market rental waiver from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and would consider strategies to increase the number of landlords who accept housing vouchers and rental assistance. The group would report their recommendations to the Maine State Housing Authority and the legislative committee with jurisdiction over housing matters by Jan. 15, 2025.
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