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An Act To Create a Low-barrier, Permanent Housing Rental Subsidy for Individuals in the State Experiencing Long-term Homelessness
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  30-A MRSA c. 201, sub-c. 3-C  is enacted to read:
SUBCHAPTER 3-C
RENTAL SUBSIDY PROGRAM FOR PERSONS EXPERIENCING LONG-TERM HOMELESSNESS
§ 4763. Rental subsidy program for persons experiencing long-term homelessness
 
1.  Definitions.     As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
 
A.  "Fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence" has the same meaning as in Title 22, section 4099-D, subsection 2.
 
B.  "Person experiencing chronic homelessness" means a person with a disability who has been either:
 
(1) Continually homeless for at least 12 months; or
 
(2) Homeless on at least 4 separate occasions in the last 3 years with a total period of homelessness equal to at least 12 months.
 
C.  "Person experiencing literal homelessness" means a person who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.
 
D.  "Person experiencing long-term homelessness" means a person who is experiencing chronic homelessness, a person experiencing literal homelessness or a person who is a long-term stayer.
 
E.  "Person who is a long-term stayer" means a person who, over the course of one year, stays over 180 days in shelters or outdoors.
 
2.  Rental subsidy program established.     A rental subsidy program, referred to in this section as "the program," is established within the Maine State Housing Authority. The purpose of the program is to assist persons experiencing long-term homelessness with housing assistance and rental subsidies.
 
3.  Eligibility.     The Maine State Housing Authority shall determine the eligibility of and provide assistance under the program to a person experiencing long-term homelessness in the following order of priority:
 
A.  To a person who is a long-term stayer;
 
B.  To a person experiencing chronic homelessness; and
 
C.  To a person experiencing literal homelessness.
 
4.  Rental subsidy.     A rental subsidy must be provided to a person eligible for the program pursuant to subsection 3. The Maine State Housing Authority shall adopt rules establishing the amount of the rental subsidy available to a person eligible for the program and the length of time the rental subsidy is available to a person eligible for the program.
 
5.  Services.     Services provided to a person eligible for the program pursuant to subsection 3 must be administered by regional committees organized by the Maine State Housing Authority. The regional committees shall provide a person eligible for the program assistance with navigation of available services, housing placement and housing retention support services.
 
6.  Fund.     The rental subsidy program fund, referred to as "the fund," is established as a nonlapsing fund within the Maine State Housing Authority pursuant to the following conditions.
 
A.  All money appropriated for inclusion in the fund and private donations for the program may be included in the fund.
 
B.  The Maine State Housing Authority may apply money in the fund for purposes authorized by this subchapter.
 
7.  Report.     Beginning January 15, 2020, and annually thereafter, the Maine State Housing Authority shall submit a report to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over housing matters and health and human services matters that includes performance measures of the program, including, but not limited to, housing stability and retention for persons eligible for the program pursuant to subsection 3.
 
8.  Rules.     The Maine State Housing Authority shall adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
 
SUMMARY
This bill establishes a rental subsidy program within the Maine State Housing Authority for persons experiencing long-term homelessness. The rental subsidy program provides a rental subsidy and housing retention services to a person eligible for the program.