The Maine Legislature’s Housing Committee has recommended that lawmakers reject a bill requiring the government to convene a stakeholder group tasked with developing an amendment to the state constitution establishing a right to housing.
Originally, this legislation was intended to directly propose a right to housing amendment, sending it to voters for approval this November.
As LD 853 was first written, this amendment would have added a clause to the state constitution reading: “All individuals have a natural, inherent and unalienable right to housing.”
In November, voters would have been asked the following question: “Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to declare that all individuals have a natural, inherent and unalienable right to housing?”
This version of the bill was replaced, however, by a resolution directing the Department of Economic and Community Development to convene a stakeholder group tasked with developing its own version of a right to housing amendment.
This group would consist of several members, including the Director of the Maine State Housing Authority, the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the Commissioner of Public Safety, the Executive Director of the Maine Human Rights Coalition, and a representative from the Office of the Attorney General.
Representatives from the Portland Housing Authority and the Maine Municipal Association would also be invited to take part in the stakeholder group.
Participation would also be sought from “a person with experience as a homeless services provider, a person who has experienced homelessness, a representative of an organization that advocates for tenants’ rights and a person with expertise in the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code.”
This group would be required to submit a report no later than January 15, 2025 with a proposed amendment to the state constitution establishing a right to housing and directing the Legislature to “enact appropriate laws to execute the purposes of the amendment.”
The report provided by the group would also need to describe “how the proposed constitutional amendment will ensure fair access to housing for all residents of the State and how unintended consequences may be avoided.”
Click Here to Read the Full Text of LD 853 As Amended
Opposition to the bill among committee members was bipartisan.
Among those on the Housing Committee to vote against the legislation were Rep. Traci Gere (D-Kennebunkport), Sen. Teresa Pierce (D-Cumberland), Rep. Mark John Blier (R-Buxton), Rep. Richard H. Campbell (R-Orrington), Rep. Joshua Morris (R-Turner), Sen. Matt Pouliot (R-Kennebec), Rep. Holly B. Stover (D-Boothbay), and Sen. Eloise Vitelli (D-Sagadahoc).
Supporting the amended version of LD 853 were Rep. Drew Gattine (D-Westbrook), Rep. Cheryl A. Golek (D-Harpswell), Rep. Grayson B. Lookner (D-Portland), and Rep. Ambureen Rana (D-Bangor).
Although the House was scheduled to consider LD 853 during Wednesday’s session, the bill was tabled pending acceptance of either committee report.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="26751 https://www.themainewire.com/?p=26751">7 Comments
I’d say substitute “individuals” for “LEGAL CITIZENS” then start the conversation.
Maine is becoming a Communist state.
Taking a wild guess, the committee Democrats voted NO because the proposal didn’t go far enough to gift migrants with free housing in Maine.
And the taxpayers of the State of Maine are represented by????
It already is a communist state with mandated vaccines for healthcare workers. Comply or loose your job. Then they cry for nurses…
What about my body my choice, not for nurses
C’mon, man! I need this! Later, we can amend this so the state will pay my mortgage. Not a joke!