Housing

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1167: Resolve, To Create A Pilot Program To Assist Nonprofit Housing Developers In Rehabilitating Existing Aging Housing Stock For First-Time Home Buyers

LD 1167 creates a Maine State Housing Authority pilot program to provide grants of up to $80,000 per unit to nonprofit housing developers for rehabilitating 15 existing aging housing units. The program targets first-time home buyers with incomes not exceeding 120% of the area median income, requiring them to occupy the unit and agree to return a graduated percentage of sale profits (25%-75%) if sold within the first three years. Grants cover specific repairs like lead paint mitigation, energy efficiency upgrades, structural fixes, and accessibility improvements. The program is funded with a one-time $1.2 million appropriation from the General Fund for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds via grants for housing rehabilitation targeting low-income buyers, directly funding a public program through state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates grant program for rehabilitating aging housing to assist first-time home buyers at 120% AMI, directly advancing affordable housing access through funding and targeted rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

Track

signed · Maine · House Apr 13, 2026

LD 916: An Act To Promote Investment In Housing

LD 916 would provide tax reductions to corporations that donate to community development financial institutions (CDFIs) focused on housing development in Maine. The tax reductions would lower the tax burden for corporations making these specific donations, incentivizing corporate investment in housing projects. This bill directly affects corporations donating to qualifying CDFIs and the CDFIs that channel funds toward housing development initiatives. The policy change aims to increase funding for housing by making corporate donations more financially attractive.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProvides tax reductions to corporations, weakening tax base per topic indicators of tax breaks for wealthy entities.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax incentives to corporations donating to CDFIs for housing development, directly increasing funding for affordable housing projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development

failed · Maine · House Feb 26, 2026

LD 1926: An Act To Require Increased Housing Density Or Lower Minimum Lot Sizes For Workforce Housing

LD 1926 requires Maine municipalities to allow higher housing density or smaller lot sizes for qualifying workforce housing developments. It applies to projects approved after January 1, 2026 (or July 1, 2026 for some municipalities), defining "workforce housing" as developments where at least 50% of units are for households earning under 220% of local median income. The bill mandates specific density increases: 75% for units targeting 80-100% income level, 60% for 101-120%, and 45% for 121-180%, with at least half of new units in each project serving the targeted income group. This directly affects local zoning laws and developers seeking approval for workforce housing in Maine.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates higher density/ smaller lots for workforce housing (50% units for households under 220% AMI), directly increasing affordable housing supply through development requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

Track

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 1910: An Act To Strengthen Housing Stability Services By Increasing Support And Outreach

LD 1910 requires Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services to contract with community-based nonprofits to hire 9 outreach caseworkers and 9 housing stability workers. These staff will directly assist unhoused individuals - particularly those cycling through shelters, jails, hospitals, or warming centers - to secure permanent housing and access ongoing support services. The bill mandates specific caseload limits (25 intensive cases plus 35 standard cases per worker) and geographic distribution based on where homelessness is most concentrated. It allocates $1.7 million annually for two years ($800,000 for caseworkers, $900,000 for stability workers) to fund these contracts.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds nonprofit outreach to secure permanent housing for unhoused individuals, directly strengthening housing stability services through staffing and caseload mandates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

Track

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 641: An Act To Support Diversion Efforts To Address Homelessness In Maine

LD 641 allocates $750,000 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $750,000 for fiscal year 2026-27 to support Maine's Housing Problem Solving Program through the Maine Housing Authority. This one-time funding directly supports existing diversion efforts aimed at preventing homelessness, primarily benefiting individuals and families at risk of losing housing. The bill does not create new programs or policies but provides specific financial resources for current homelessness prevention services. It affects the Housing Authority's operations and the communities served by its Problem Solving Program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $750,000 annually for homelessness prevention housing program, directly increasing state funding for essential public services without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $1.5M total for homelessness prevention via Maine Housing Authority, directly funding existing housing stability services to prevent housing loss.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

Track

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 748: An Act To Increase Bridging Rental Assistance Program Housing Voucher Funding To Reduce The Current Partial Waiting List And Increase Housing Vouchers For Persons Living With Mental Health Challenges

This bill increases annual funding by $660,000 for Maine's Bridging Rental Assistance Program to address higher costs from a 2021 policy change that required the program to cover more of participants' rent. The program provides housing vouchers to individuals living with mental health challenges who are on a waiting list for rental assistance. The additional funding aims to reduce the current partial waiting list and expand the number of available housing vouchers. The funding applies to the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases $660,000 annual funding for housing assistance program, directly expanding government spending on public services for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds housing vouchers specifically for persons with mental health challenges, directly expanding access to housing as a healthcare support service.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases $660,000 annual funding for housing vouchers to reduce waiting lists and expand assistance for vulnerable populations, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

Track