Housing

signed · Maine · House Jun 18, 2025

LD 1765: An Act To Ensure Affordability And Stability In Housing For Mobile Home Park Residents

LD 1765 limits rent and fee increases for mobile home park residents in Maine. It prohibits park owners from raising rent or fees more than once yearly and caps increases at either 5% of current rent or the Consumer Price Index plus 1% (whichever is lower), requiring justification for increases as necessary for actual operating costs. The bill mandates written disclosure of all fees before occupancy, 30-day written notice for changes (with certified mail for rent hikes), and annual municipal reporting to verify compliance. It also allows tenants to sue for illegally collected fees and recover attorney's fees if owners violate these rules. The law directly affects mobile home park residents by protecting them from excessive or sudden rent increases.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCaps rent increases at 5% or CPI+1%, mandates fee disclosures, and requires justification for hikes, directly protecting tenant affordability and stability in mobile home parks.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

failed · Maine · House Jun 18, 2025

LD 1940: An Act To Revise The Growth Management Program Laws

This bill (LD 1940) revises definitions in Maine's Growth Management Program laws to clarify housing affordability standards. It defines "affordable housing" as housing costing no more than 30% of a household's income when income is at or below 80% of the area median, and "attainable housing" for households earning between 80% and 120% of the median. The bill also establishes definitions for terms like "cluster development" (reducing lot sizes to preserve open space), "accessory dwelling units" (secondary housing on single-family lots), and "age-friendly communities." These updated definitions directly affect local governments, developers, and housing programs implementing Maine's growth management policies. The changes aim to provide clearer standards for housing affordability without creating new programs or mandates.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingDefines affordable housing standards (≤30% income) and promotes development methods like accessory dwelling units to increase housing supply and affordability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning

Track

signed · Maine · House Jun 18, 2025

LD 997: An Act To Allow Residential Use Development In Commercial Districts

LD 997 would amend Maine's zoning law to prohibit municipalities from banning residential development on lots zoned for commercial use. This directly affects property owners and developers in commercial districts who wish to build homes or apartment buildings on existing commercial lots. The key provision removes a legal barrier, requiring municipalities to allow residential uses on commercial-zoned lots without additional zoning changes. The bill does not mandate new construction but ensures existing commercial lots can be used for housing without municipal restriction. This policy change applies statewide to all municipalities with commercial zoning districts.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves legal barriers to residential development in commercial districts, enabling more housing options without mandating construction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

signed · Maine · House Jun 20, 2025

LD 1829: An Act To Build Housing For Maine Families And Attract Workers To Maine Businesses By Amending The Laws Governing Municipal Land Use Decisions

LD 1829 creates a new Housing Development Resolution Board to review local government decisions on housing projects, such as subdivisions, site plans, and housing permits. The board must hold a hearing within 60 days of an appeal and issue a decision within 30 days, with appeals filed within 14 business days of a municipal decision. It can keep, overturn, or change local housing decisions, and choosing to use this board instead of the Superior Court waives the right to pursue the case in court. This process aims to streamline housing development by providing a centralized, time-bound appeals system for housing projects across Maine.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates Housing Development Resolution Board to expedite housing project approvals, directly advancing housing development per title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development

signed · Maine · House Jun 20, 2025

LD 1041: An Act To Preserve Affordability In Publicly Assisted Housing Developments

LD 1041 requires owners of low-income rental housing (with five or more units subject to rent or income restrictions) to notify tenants, tenant organizations, the Maine State Housing Authority, and local housing authorities before selling, transferring, or taking actions that would end those restrictions. The notice must include the property address and is designed to provide advance warning to affected parties. The bill defines "financial assistance" as government funding tied to making housing affordable and applies to properties receiving federal, state, or local aid requiring affordable rents or income-based eligibility. This law aims to maintain long-term affordability in publicly assisted housing developments by ensuring transparency during ownership changes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires advance notice before sale/transfer of low-income housing to prevent loss of affordability, protecting tenants and preserving subsidized units.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

failed · Maine · House Jun 25, 2025

LD 1328: An Act To Create Housing And Recovery Services For Lgbtqia+ Individuals

This bill requires Maine's State Housing Authority to contract for at least three certified recovery residences led by LGBTQIA+ individuals in recovery from substance use disorder. These residences must serve LGBTQIA+ individuals and others in recovery, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, with locations distributed across three population sizes (60,000+ residents, 20,000-59,999, and under 20,000). Each residence must provide shared living spaces, tailored recovery support, and services addressing LGBTQIA+ needs, staffed by at least two certified peer support workers paid livable wages. The bill also creates the LGBTQIA+ Recovery Residence Fund within the Housing Authority to distribute competitive grants for these services.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates state housing authority to fund LGBTQIA+ recovery residences, advancing targeted housing access for vulnerable populations.90% confidence

Track

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 847: An Act To Prohibit Housing Discrimination

LD 847 prohibits housing discrimination in Maine by banning landlords from refusing to rent or negotiating for rental housing based on a tenant's **source of income**, such as housing vouchers, public assistance, Social Security benefits, or rental subsidies. It also prevents landlords from assessing a tenant's full rent amount when part of the rent is subsidized, requiring financial evaluations to apply only to the unsubsidized portion. The law, effective January 1, 2026, applies to most rental properties (excluding landlords with fewer than four units) and allows victims to seek $1,000 penalties or actual damages for violations. This directly affects renters using government assistance and landlords managing rental housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits discrimination against tenants using housing vouchers/public assistance, directly protecting vulnerable renters and expanding access to affordable housing.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits housing discrimination against tenants using housing vouchers/subsidies, benefiting immigrant tenants reliant on public assistance programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1921: An Act To Create A Statewide Housing Resolution Board

LD 1921 creates a statewide Housing Resolution Board to handle appeals of final municipal decisions regarding housing development and mixed-use projects containing housing. The board, appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court (with one attorney and one professional engineer/surveyor), will review appeals filed within 30 days, hold hearings within 90 days, and issue decisions within 60 days. It has concurrent jurisdiction with the Superior Court, meaning parties can choose to appeal to the board instead of court for the same issue, but must file within the 30-day window. Municipalities, developers, and property owners affected by local housing decisions will directly participate as parties in this appeals process.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates statewide board to expedite housing development appeals, reducing municipal barriers to new housing projects and advancing housing supply.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1522: An Act To Establish The Maine Eviction Prevention Program

LD 1522 establishes the Maine Eviction Prevention Program within the Maine State Housing Authority to provide rental assistance to low-income renters. It directly affects individuals earning no more than 60% of the area median income who face eviction threats or pay over 30% of their income in rent. The program covers rental arrears and offers up to 12 months of additional help for those paying excessive rent, prioritizing: (1) those with an eviction summons, (2) those with an eviction notice for nonpayment, and (3) those paying over 30% of income in rent. Participants must pay 30% of their income toward rent and live in housing at or below 125% of HUD’s fair market rent, with landlords prohibited from evicting participants for nonpayment during assistance.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes rental assistance program to prevent evictions for low-income tenants, directly strengthening tenant protections and affordable housing access per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

failed · Maine · House Jan 20, 2026

LD 1247: An Act To Restrict Municipal Ordinance Requirements Regarding Housing Developments

This bill restricts Maine municipalities' ability to set minimum lot sizes and other development requirements for housing projects in areas with existing public water and sewer infrastructure. It requires municipalities to allow single-family or multifamily housing on lots as small as 5,000 square feet and limits dimensional standards (like road frontage to 50 feet and setbacks to 10 feet). The bill also prohibits municipalities from charging excessive impact fees or requiring more than two off-street parking spaces per three dwelling units. These rules apply to new housing developments connected to public water and sewer systems, while still requiring compliance with shoreland zoning and existing septic system regulations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves municipal barriers to denser housing (smaller lots, multifamily), enabling increased housing supply and affordability by limiting dimensional restrictions and fees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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