Sen. Tim Nangle bill to keep Maine veterans housed signed into law

AUGUSTA — On Friday, April 3, Gov. Janet T. Mills signed into law a bill from Sen. Tim Nangle, D-Windham. LD 2135, “An Act to Provide Funding to Keep Maine Veterans Housed,” will help prevent homelessness among Maine veterans by providing meaningful support to overcome common housing barriers.

“No one who has served our country should be struggling to find or keep a place to live,” said Sen. Nangle. “This bill is about preventing homelessness before it happens by giving providers the tools they need to address the barriers that too often get in the way. It’s a practical step to help keep veterans in stable housing and avoid more serious challenges down the line.”

LD 2135 will 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.

As non-emergency legislation, LD 2135 will go into effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns.

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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