An Act To Strengthen Housing Stability Services By Increasing Support And Outreach

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Chip Curry and 5 co-sponsors

Funds 18 housing-stability workers (9 outreach caseworkers, 9 housing stability staff) with $1.7M/year via nonprofits in 9 MSHA hubs to boost outreach and placements.

Died in Possession of the Senate when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die and was PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES. (DEAD)

#assistance #housing #housingstability

Overview

LD 1910 seeks to strengthen housing stability by expanding outreach and case management within Maine’s homeless services system. The bill would, on an ongoing basis, provide General Fund funding to hire dedicated outreach and housing stability staff through community-based nonprofits operating in the state’s homeless services hubs.

What the bill would do

Establish ongoing General Fund appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) starting in FY 2025-26.

Contract with community-based nonprofit organizations to hire:

9 Outreach Caseworkers
9 Housing Stability Workers

Implement these staff positions in each of the 9 homeless services hubs established by the Maine State Housing Authority (MSHA) to bolster outreach, case management, and housing placement efforts.

The funding structure is designed to support on-the-ground coordination and connections to housing resources for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Funding and fiscal impact

Annual cost: $1,700,000 General Fund from FY 2025-26 onward (ongoing).

Appropriations: $1,700,000 General Fund each year through FY 2028-29 (as indicated in the fiscal notes).

Fiscal notes indicate the funding could be moved from the Purchased Social Services account (0228) to the Housing First Program account (Z374) without changing the total amount.

The amended fiscal note specifies 9 outreach caseworkers and 9 housing stability workers funded each year.

Implementation context and administration

Administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in coordination with community-based nonprofit partners.

Positions are tied to the 9 MSHA-established homeless services hubs, aiming to improve outreach capacity and housing placement outcomes.

The bill envisions partnering with nonprofits rather than creating state personnel roles within DHHS.

Affected entities

State agencies: Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Nonprofit organizations: Community-based nonprofits contracted to provide outreach and housing stability services.

Homeless services hubs: The 9 hubs operated under MSHA’s framework.

Beneficiaries: Individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness who receive outreach, case management, and housing stabilization services.

Legislative status and timeline

Introduced: May 6, 2025.

Committee action: Reflected in Committee Amendment "A" (S-322); approved and carried to engrossed status.

June 9–10, 2025: Revisions and approvals through multiple readings; as an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote was required; initial passage to be enacted failed on June 10.

June 11–25, 2025: Placed on the Special Appropriations Table pending ENACTMENT; subsequently carried over.

June 25, 2025: Carried Over, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, per Joint Order SP 800.

Bottom line

LD 1910 would create a targeted, ongoing investment of $1.7 million per year to fund 18 housing stability-related positions (9 outreach caseworkers and 9 housing stability workers) across the 9 MSHA hubs, via contracts with community nonprofits. The measure is currently carried over and not enacted, with funding and provisions as amended awaiting action in a future session.

Bill