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132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST SPECIAL SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 1569H.P. 1027House of Representatives, April 10, 2025
Resolve, to Direct the Department of Economic and Community
Development to Form a Stakeholder Group to Analyze and Improve
Home Repair Funding Programs in the State
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Housing and Economic Development suggested and
ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative KESSLER of South Portland. Page 1 - 132LR2189(01)1 acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
2 become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
3 Maine's aging housing stock, combined with extreme weather patterns and
4 rising energy costs, presents an urgent threat to the safety and well-being of homeowners,
5 particularly low-income, elderly and rural residents; and
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7 consumption and cause financial hardship for homeowners; and
8 the establishment of a stakeholder group to address gaps in funding and
9 improve home repair programs is essential to mitigate these risks; and
10 prompt action is necessary to ensure that Maine homeowners are equipped
11 with the resources needed to maintain safe, resilient and energy-efficient homes; and
12 in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within
13 the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as
14 immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now,
15 therefore, be it
16 That the Department of
17 Economic and Community Development shall establish a stakeholder group, referred to in
18 this resolve as "the stakeholder group," to analyze efforts within the State to fund home
19 repair programs and provide general funding for homeowners in need of home repairs. The
20 stakeholder group shall review existing programs, identify gaps in funding and propose
21 strategies to improve the effectiveness and accessibility of home repair funding initiatives.
22 That the stakeholder group must consist of the
23 following members:
24 1. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, or the
25 commissioner's designee, who serves as chair;
26 2. The director of the Maine State Housing Authority, or the director's designee;
27 3. A representative from a financial institution that provides home improvement loans,
28 appointed by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development;
29 4. A representative from a nonprofit organization that provides home repair assistance
30 to low-income or elderly homeowners, appointed by the director of the Maine State
31 Housing Authority;
32 5. A representative from the Maine Municipal Association, appointed by the
33 Commissioner of Economic and Community Development;
34 6. A representative from a regional community action agency, appointed by the
35 Commissioner of Economic and Community Development;
36 7. A general contractor with experience in residential repairs, appointed by the
37 Commissioner of Economic and Community Development;
38 8. A representative from the office of aging and disability services within the
39 Department of Health and Human Services, appointed by the Commissioner of Health and
40 Human Services; and Page 2 - 132LR2189(01)
1 9. Any additional members considered necessary by the Commissioner of Economic
2 and Community Development to ensure comprehensive stakeholder representation.
3 That the stakeholder group shall:
4 1. Conduct a comprehensive review of existing home repair funding programs in the
5 State, including eligibility criteria, application processes and program outcomes;
6 2. Collect and analyze data on the effectiveness of current programs, including the
7 number of homeowners served, the types of repairs funded, the typical cost of repairs and
8 the geographic distribution of services;
9 3. Identify gaps in funding and barriers to access, particularly for low-income, elderly
10 and rural homeowners;
11 4. Explore innovative funding mechanisms, including public-private partnerships, tax
12 credits, bonding and revolving loan funds;
13 5. Evaluate best practices from other states and jurisdictions;
14 6. Solicit input from homeowners, contractors and community organizations on their
15 experiences with existing programs and their suggestions for improvements;
16 7. Assess the financial, health, energy and economic impacts resulting from delayed
17 home repairs, including potential long-term costs and risks; and
18 8. Develop recommendations for legislative, regulatory and program changes to
19 improve the effectiveness and accessibility of home repair funding in the State.
20 That the Department of Economic and
21 Community Development shall provide staff assistance to the stakeholder group.
22
23 public hearings to gather input from stakeholders and the general public. The
24 Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall submit a report on the
25 stakeholder group's findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the
26 Joint Standing Committee on Housing and Economic Development by December 3, 2025.
27 The joint standing committee may submit a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd
28 Legislature based on the report.
29
30 takes effect when approved.
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32 This resolve directs the Department of Economic and Community Development to
33 establish a stakeholder group to analyze existing efforts to fund home repair programs and
34 provide general funding for homeowners in need of home repairs. The group will review
35 current programs, identify gaps in funding and propose strategies to improve the
36 availability and effectiveness of these programs. The department will submit a report with
37 the stakeholder group's recommendations and proposed legislation to the Joint Standing
38 Committee on Housing and Economic Development by December 3, 2025. The joint
39 standing committee may submit a bill related to the report to the Second Regular Session
40 of the 132nd Legislature.
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