Maine Senate unanimously advances Sen. Nangle bill to keep Maine veterans housed

AUGUSTA — This week, the Maine Senate voted unanimously, and on a bipartisan basis, to advance LD 2135, “An Act to Provide Funding to Keep Maine Veterans Housed,” sponsored by Sen. Tim Nangle, D-Windham. The bill aims to prevent homelessness among Maine veterans by providing meaningful support to overcome common housing barriers.

“When someone has served our country, the least we can do is make sure they have a stable place to call home,” said Sen. Nangle. “This bill focuses on the real-world barriers veterans face and gives housing providers the flexibility to address them. I’m glad to see my colleagues in the Senate come together to support that effort.”

LD 2135, as amended by the Veterans and Legal Affairs committee, would establish the Veterans Housing Provider Incentive Fund within the Bureau of Veterans’ Services. This new fund would provide grants to nonprofit organizations that help veterans secure and maintain permanent housing.

The grant funding may be used to offer incentives to landlords willing to rent to veterans, cover risk mitigation costs and address past rental debt. The proposal also includes accountability measures through rulemaking and reporting requirements. To launch the fund, the bill includes a one-time $90,000 transfer from an existing sports wagering revenue account.

LD 2135 now faces additional votes in the House and Senate.

Sen. Nangle is serving his second term in the Maine Senate, representing Casco, Frye Island, Raymond, Windham and part of Westbrook. He serves as Senate chair of the Transportation Committee and sits on the Health and Human Services Committee.

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