APPROVED CHAPTER
JULY 26, 2023 108
BY GOVERNOR RESOLVES
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-THREE
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H.P. 478 - L.D. 709
Resolve, to Develop a Home Share Pilot Program for Older Persons
Sec. 1. Maine State Housing Authority to develop home share pilot
program for older persons. Resolved: That the Maine State Housing Authority shall
develop and administer, through a contract with an appropriate vendor, a home share pilot
program, referred to in this resolve as "the program," primarily aimed at assisting older
persons to reduce living expenses, including housing costs, by matching older persons who
own homes with spare rooms to adults in need of affordable housing. The Maine State
Housing Authority may partner with organizations such as, but not limited to, area agencies
on aging, AARP Maine, the Maine Council on Aging and the EqualityMaine Network for
Older Adults to promote the program. For the purposes of this resolve, "older person" has
the same meaning as "aging, elderly or older person" in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title
22, section 5104, subsection 1-B.
Sec. 2. Maine State Housing Authority to issue request for proposals.
Resolved: That the Maine State Housing Authority shall issue a request for proposals for
a vendor to provide a digital-based service for matching older persons who own homes
with spare rooms to adults in need of affordable housing. The vendor must:
1. Assist hosts and renters over the phone, through a text chat function or by video;
2. Collect and process rental payments from renters and distribute payments to hosts
in a timely manner;
3. Protect the private information and data of hosts and renters;
4. Conduct background checks on hosts and renters, including contacting at least 2
references for a host and for a renter;
5. Acquire from renters employment verification or proof of school enrollment; and
6. Review and process all applications.
The request for proposals must favor proposals that provide value in services delivered,
equity and impartiality in its processes, compliance with federal and state laws and privacy
protections for hosts and renters.
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 Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That, no later than January 1, 2025, the Maine State
Housing Authority shall submit a report on the program detailing the effectiveness of
matching older persons who own homes with spare rooms to adults in need of affordable
housing, testimonials from hosts and renters and other relevant findings to the joint
standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services
matters and labor and housing matters.
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