© 2024 Maine Public

Bangor Studio/Membership Department
63 Texas Ave.
Bangor, ME 04401

Lewiston Studio
1450 Lisbon St.
Lewiston, ME 04240

Portland Studio
323 Marginal Way
Portland, ME 04101

Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 22-3171529
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Scroll down to see all available streams.

Housing-first bill lauded as important step in solving homelessness crisis

House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross conducts business during a legislative session, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at the State House in Augusta, Maine.
Robert F. Bukaty
/
AP
House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross conducts business during a legislative session, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at the State House in Augusta, Maine.

Lawmakers in Augusta heard from dozens of people about the need for a "housing first" bill on Tuesday. It would be the first statewide model to employ the method.

The measure would create a fund in 2024 to develop housing and support services for people unhoused for at least 12 months. The housing fund would be paid for by using half of the state's real estate transfer tax revenues. The fund would expect to see around $10 million to $13 million each year.

Bill sponsor House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, said the bill would help solve homelessness in Maine by providing a "first and basic need."

"Because an ER rate or waiting room is not a home, nor is a shelter floor, a jail cell or under a highway underpass," she told the Housing Committee. "Nor can we expect folks who are currently experienced in this way of life to ever become their best and highest selves."

A full-time position would also be created within the state's health department to help coordinate mental health and substance misuse services for the program's residents.

Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Some providers urged lawmakers to make sure the support services are funded before the housing is created.

Gov. Janet Mills has previously expressed support for a housing first bill, saying she would sign one if sent to her desk.

Reporter Caitlin Andrews came to Maine Public in 2023 after nearly eight years in print journalism. She hails from New Hampshire originally.