Committee approves Senator Rafferty bill to assist with student housing insecurity and homelessness

AUGUSTA — On May 7, 2025, The Education and Cultural Affairs committee voted 8-5 in favor of a bill sponsored by Sen. Joe Rafferty, D-Kennebunk. The bill, LD 384, “An Act to Prevent Student Homelessness,” aims to provide essential support to vulnerable students who are experiencing housing instability.

“The last thing that any of us want for any child, is for them to worry about where they are going to lay their heads at night. Unfortunately, this is a reality that many students in our state face,” said Sen. Rafferty. “Housing insecurity is an incredibly difficult challenge, and it breaks my heart that we don’t have enough support systems in place to assist these families. My hope is that this bill can assist those in need of help, and provide students a safe and stable place to call home. ”

The bill, as amended, would establish the Student Homelessness Prevention Program within the Department of Education. The purpose of the program is to provide direct financial assistance to prevent student homelessness and support students and their families in maintaining stable permanent housing. This is done by providing liaisons designated pursuant to the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001 access to emergency financial assistance for the family of a student in an amount of up to $750 per student.

The bill now faces votes in the Senate and House.

Sen. Rafferty represents Senate District 24, which includes Berwick, Cape Porpoise, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, North Berwick and Wells in York County.