AUGUSTA - This week, the Maine House and Senate advanced a bill from Rep. Cheryl Golek, D-Harpswell, that would establish a commission to improve tenant-landlord relationships and increase the use of housing vouchers and other rental assistance programs.
Currently, there is a shortage of landlords willing to rent to those who utilize rental assistance programs exacerbating housing insecurity for Mainers with low incomes. As amended, LD 1710 would establish a commission of landlords and stakeholders who have experience with rental assistance programs to search for solutions to income-based housing discrimination and incentivize landlords to rent to tenants who use support services like Section 8 housing vouchers or municipal General Assistance.
"Growing up in generational poverty, my family and I relied on rental assistance programs like General Assistance and Section 8 housing to help us through some of our most challenging times," said Golek. "This measure would be a significant success in the battle against Maine's housing crisis, as it would direct stakeholders and professionals with lived experiences to put their heads together and search for ways to eliminate income-based rental discrimination. This would ultimately enhance landlord-tenant relations and encourage greater utilization of rental assistance programs."
The commission's recommendations would be submitted to committees in the 132nd Legislature that have jurisdiction over housing-related matters.
The bill faces further votes in the House and the Senate in the upcoming days.
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], c. 305-965-2744