AUGUSTA - A measure to require tenant representation on nonprofit housing corporation boards of directors, LD 1606, sponsored by Rep. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, was signed into law Monday by Gov. Janet Mills.
The measure requires that a nonprofit housing corporation with ownership interest in multifamily rental housing include at least one current tenant of such housing to serve on its board of directors, with the tenant's contact information made available to all residents. This measure does not apply to nonprofit housing corporations that only provide emergency shelter or short-term transitional housing.
When assisting constituents with housing quality issues, Grohoski noted that some housing facilities in the region had robust tenant representation on their boards, but others did not.
"Tenant representation helps to improve communication between tenants, nonprofit boards and management and will keep tenant experiences front and center in decision making," said Grohoski. "One tenant representative may not have the same lived experience as all other tenants, but such a person could be more approachable by other tenants than other board members might be. Tenants who are directly impacted by decisions made on their behalf need to have a seat at the table."
Grohoski, a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology, is serving her second term in the Maine House of Representatives. She represents the communities of Ellsworth and Trenton.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Grohoski], c. 812-1111