Reminder of Next Week’s Statewide Homeless Council Meeting

Friendly reminder of next week’s (2/10/2026) Statewide Homeless Council Meeting. This meeting’s participation will be for board members only, but public viewing is encouraged. Please find the meeting link on the calendar page.

In the meantime, reflect on the following words from SHC Chair, Rich Hooks Wayman:

Dear Statewide Homeless Council and Allies,

Thank you for meeting in the New Year on January 13, 2026.  I was glad that we were able to review updates from the HUD CoC funding notices, warming center utilization, updates from the Regional Councils and HUB Coordinators, and a review our priority bills before the Legislature this winter.  Please find below references to our four (4) priority bills.

Following our meeting, the following action steps will be undertaken:

1. The HUD Point-In-Time Survey (PIT) will be accomplished on Monday, January 26^th and the following week days.  Please sign up to volunteer for the survey and learn more about online trainings at: https://www.mainehomelessplanning.org/point-in-time-count-volunteer-training/.
2. For public information about Warming Center locations, hours of operation, and operating criteria, please see the following: https://www.mainehomelessplanning.org/maine-winter-warming-centers/.
3. The Chair of the SHC will be reaching out to Leanora Style, the new regional HUD Director for Maine to offer her data and information.
4. Data will be obtained regarding the utilization of Warming Centers in December and January and be shared with the SHC in February.  Further, communication will be made to the Governor and Legislative leadership concerning the loss of federal funding anticipated for next winter (2026-2027) that may impact the number of contracts to offer Warming Center services in Maine (lessening the number of persons served).
5. The SHC Chair is reaching out to the following states to ask for access to their state plans to address homelessness (to determine if their approach or best practices should be adopted here in Maine): New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, York, Minnesota, Virginia, and Maryland.
6. The SHC Chair, CoC Executive Director and Policy Chairs will send a letter to the Legislature’s Appropriation Committee to highlight our priority bills.

SHC Priority Legislative Policy Bills for 2026:

1. Shelter funding expansion:  Increased state funding to the Emergency Shelter and Housing Assistance Program (ESHAP).  LD 2124, An Act to Support Emergency Shelter Funding Using Revenue from the Real Estate Transfer Tax.
2. Lead sponsor – Rep. Drew Gattine (Westbrook)
3. Summary – Allocates a portion of the real estate transfer tax revenue to shelter operating subsidy (1% in first year, 1.8% thereafter). That revenue is currently part of a 10% allocation to Counties.
4. Next Step: Wait for hearing and testimony before Housing & Economic Development Committee.
5. Work group contact – Molly Feeney ()

2. Affordable Housing Bond.  Supporting the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition’s efforts to secure a new bond to support the construction of new affordable housing in Maine. LD 690 (An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Provide Funding for Affordable and Low-Income Housing Program).
3. Lead sponsor – Sen. Teresa Pierce (Falmouth)
4. Summary – $100M bond for rural rentals, the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC), affordable homeownership and home repairs; 20% earmarked for projects involving modular construction. 10 year horizon.
5. Next Steps – Carried over (AFA committee), has fiscal note. Waiting for work session to be scheduled.
6. Work group contact – Donna Kelley ()

3. Diversion from Homelessness.  Support for state funding for housing support workers to work with individuals experiencing homelessness in multiple regions of the state.  LD 641 (An Act to Support Diversion Efforts to Prevent Homelessness in Maine)
4. Lead sponsor – Rep. Marc Malon (Biddeford)
5. Summary – $1.5M in one-time funds (spread across FY26 & FY27) for the Housing Problem Solving Program.
6. Next Steps – Carried over (HED committee), has fiscal note. Working group met Mon 12/15 and now waiting for another work session.
7. Work group contact – Shannon Shimer ()

4. Prohibit discrimination against source of income.  This bill would prevent landlords from denying housing access to households who hold a rental assistance voucher.  This bill was considered by Legislative Committee and is being considered for an impact study to be reported on to the Legislature in 2027. LD 847, An Act to Prohibit Housing Discrimination.
5. Lead sponsor – Rep. Cheryl Golek (Harpswell / Brunswick)
6. Summary – Makes it illegal for landlords to 1) refuse to rent to a household because of their source of income, or 2) assess a person’s ability to pay the entire rental amount when a portion of the rent is subsidized through federal, state or local housing assistance.
7. Next Steps – Work session (HED committee) held Tue 01/06/26. Text of bill changed to order a study of the subject ; policy change will not advance.
8. Work group contact – Annika Moore ()

Please, reach out to me if you have any questions. I am grateful for your interest and participation in SHC meetings each month.  Our next SHC meeting with be on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.