‘Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§34-A is enacted to read:
34-A.
| Housing | Advisory Council on Senior Housing | Not Authorized | 30-A MRSA §4726 |
Sec. 2. 30-A MRSA §4726 is enacted to read:
§ 4726. Advisory Council on Senior Housing
1. Appointment; composition. The Advisory Council on Senior Housing, referred to in this section as "the council" and established by Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 34-A, consists of the following members, appointed by the director of the Maine State Housing Authority, referred to in this section as "the director," unless otherwise specified:
A. A representative of a state association that advocates on behalf of elderly residents;
B. A representative of a national organization that advocates on behalf of the elderly population;
C. A representative of a state organization that advocates for affordable housing;
D. A representative of a state organization that advocates for low-income residents;
E. A representative of a state organization that advocates for low-income elderly residents;
F. A representative of a state organization that advocates for individuals with disabilities;
G. A municipal or regional planner;
H. A representative of a community action agency as defined in Title 22, section 5321, subsection 2;
I. An individual licensed as an architect pursuant to Title 32, section 220, subsection 1 by the Maine State Board for Licensure of Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers;
J. A representative of an entity that receives funds from the Community Development Block Grant Program established in Title 5, section 13073;
K. One Senator, appointed by the President of the Senate; and
L. One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House.
At least one member of the council must be a member of a racial or ethnic minority in the State.
2. Terms; vacancy. A term of a member of the council appointed by the director is 2 years, except a vacancy of a member before the expiration of the member's term must be filled in the same manner as the original member for the unexpired portion of the member's term. A legislative member serves during the term of office for which the member was elected.
3. Advisory group of federal agency representatives. The council may form an advisory group of federal agency representatives that may include representatives of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the United States Department of Agriculture's rural development authority.
4. Meetings. The council shall meet at least 4 times per year at a time and location determined by the director, except that the council is not required to meet more than twice in 2017.
5. Duties. The council shall make recommendations to the director for the development of a strategic housing plan enabling elderly residents of the State to live in affordable, safe housing as they age. In developing its recommendations under this subsection, the council shall:
A. Review existing data, reports and other materials to determine the unmet need for affordable housing units for elderly residents;
B. Assess the financial burden of home modifications or repairs necessary to allow elderly residents to remain in their homes, including elderly residents whose income is at or below the area median income for their county or metropolitan area; and
C. Identify innovative strategies employed either within the State or by other states to improve the ability of elderly residents to remain in their homes or to secure alternative housing of their choice.
6. Strategic housing plan. The director shall develop by January 1, 2023 a strategic housing plan enabling elderly residents of the State to live in affordable, safe housing as they age. The strategic plan must set forth the recommendations submitted by the council under subsection 5 and a summary of the information gathered by the council under subsection 5 in support of those recommendations. The strategic plan must also include plans for meeting the unmet need for affordable housing units for elderly residents in the State and the financial resources that may be used to alleviate the financial burden of home modifications necessary to allow elderly residents of the State, including elderly residents whose income is at or below the area median income for their county or metropolitan area, to remain in their homes.
7. Report. The director shall submit a report regarding the development or implementation of the strategic housing plan described in subsection 6 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over housing matters on or before March 15th of the first regular session of each Legislature.
Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
HOUSING AUTHORITY, MAINE STATE
Advisory Council on Senior Housing N247
Initiative: Provides ongoing funds for administrative costs and staff support for the Advisory Council on Senior Housing.
| GENERAL FUND | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
|
All Other
|
$45,200 | $45,200 |
 |
|
|
| GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $45,200 | $45,200 |
| HOUSING AUTHORITY, MAINE STATE | ||
| DEPARTMENT TOTALS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
|
GENERAL FUND
|
$45,200 | $45,200 |
|
|
|
| DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS | $45,200 | $45,200 |
LEGISLATURE
Legislature 0081
Initiative: Provides funding for the ongoing costs of one Senator and one member of the House of Representatives to participate on the Advisory Council on Senior Housing.
| GENERAL FUND | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
|
Personal Services
|
$440 | $440 |
|
All Other
|
$560 | $560 |
|
|
|
| GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| LEGISLATURE | ||
| DEPARTMENT TOTALS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
|
GENERAL FUND
|
$1,000 | $1,000 |
|
|
|
| DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| SECTION TOTALS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
|
GENERAL FUND
|
$46,200 | $46,200 |
|
|
|
| SECTION TOTAL - ALL FUNDS | $46,200 | $46,200 |