WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

LD 747

An Act To Provide Funds To Reduce Student Homelessness

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michael Brennan and 9 co-sponsors

Provides ongoing funding to MSHA to offer rental assistance to homeless elementary and secondary students to stabilize housing and reduce student homelessness.

Signed by Governor
#assistance #housing #students
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LD 747

LD 747 — An Act To Provide Funds To Reduce Student Homelessness

Status: Signed by Governor (7/1/2025)
Introduced: 2/25/2025 | Committee: Housing and Economic Development
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Brennan (Portland); Senate sponsor for amendment: Sen. Rotundo (Androscoggin)
Subjects: Assistance, Housing, Students

Purpose / Intent

The bill directs ongoing state General Fund appropriations to the Maine State Housing Authority (MSHA) to provide rental assistance targeted at reducing homelessness among students in elementary and secondary schools. The intent is to help stabilize housing for school-aged children and thereby reduce the educational and social harms associated with student homelessness.

Key provisions and fiscal impact

  • Provides an ongoing General Fund appropriation to the Maine State Housing Authority to provide rental assistance for homeless students (elementary and secondary).
  • Final enacted funding: $125,000 per fiscal year, beginning in FY 2025–26 and continuing thereafter (per fiscal note LR0019(06)).
  • Earlier versions: the original bill and early committee version showed $2,000,000 per year appropriated (FY 2025–26 forward). A Senate amendment (S‑461) substantially reduced the appropriation; as amended the net ongoing appropriation is $125,000 per year.
  • The appropriation is reflected as both the net cost and the appropriation/allocation in the fiscal notes.

Who is affected

  • Maine State Housing Authority — receives the appropriation and would administer rental assistance.
  • Homeless students and their families — eligible elementary and secondary students would be the intended beneficiaries of rental assistance funded by this appropriation.
  • State General Fund — provides the ongoing appropriation.

Implementation and timeline

  • Appropriation is ongoing beginning FY 2025–26.
  • The bill was considered and amended by the Committee on Housing and Economic Development, amended in both chambers (Committee Amendment H‑228 and Senate Amendment S‑461), passed by both chambers (House concurrence May/June 2025; Senate action June 25, 2025; House receded and concurred), and signed by the Governor on July 1, 2025.
  • The bill does not include programmatic implementation details in the available summary; MSHA would likely establish eligibility, benefit amounts, and administrative procedures, possibly with guidance from state law (e.g., McKinney‑Vento definitions) or subsequent rulemaking.

Expected effect / considerations

  • $125,000/year is a relatively modest, ongoing appropriation and will fund a limited amount of rental assistance compared with earlier $2.0M proposals; the number of students/families served will depend on benefit levels and program design.
  • The program aims to reduce student homelessness by stabilizing housing for targeted families, potentially improving school attendance and outcomes for beneficiaries.
  • Further administrative detail (eligibility, duration of assistance, coordination with school districts or existing homeless services) is not specified in the fiscal notes and would be set during implementation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.