18 This bill establishes the Housing Stability Support Program and the Housing Stability
19 Fund within the Maine State Housing Authority. The Maine State Housing Authority is
20 required to delegate administration of the program to one or more of the following: a
21 designated community action agency as described by the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22,
22 section 5324; a municipal housing authority; or any other qualified entity as determined by
23 the Maine State Housing Authority. The program provides rental assistance, paid directly
24 to a landlord, for tenants with household incomes of less than 30% of the median income
25 for the area at the time of application for assistance, except when the assistance payment is
26 for a security deposit required for a new lease or rental agreement. Rental assistance paid
27 through the program may not exceed $300 per month. The maximum amount of total
28 assistance per household is $3,000. The bill provides for an ongoing appropriation of
29 $1,900,000 annually to support the purposes of the program.