AUGUSTA – This week, the Maine House and Senate voted to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Cheryl Golek, D-Harpswell, which would establish a commission to investigate housing discrimination based on a tenant's legal source of income, including the use of rental assistance.
As amended, LD 847 would convene a group of stakeholders, including housing advocates and legal experts to examine how reliance on programs such as Section 8 housing vouchers and other lawful income sources affects a person’s ability to secure housing. The commission would identify potential patterns of discrimination and recommend policy solutions to ensure equal access to housing regardless of how rent is paid.
It would submit its findings and recommendations to both the Legislature’s Housing and Economic Development Committee and the Judiciary Committee in 2027.
The Maine Human Rights Act was originally intended to prohibit discrimination in housing. However, a 2014 court interpretation in Dussault v. RRE Coach Lantern Holdings created a legal loophole that has allowed discrimination against individuals based on their use of lawful rental assistance and other legal sources of income.
“No one should be denied housing simply because they rely on a housing voucher, disability benefits, or another lawful means of paying rent,” said Golek. “This bill is about understanding that gap and identifying solutions to ensure equal access to housing for all Mainers.”
The measure has received support from advocacy organizations including Maine Equal Justice, Maine People’s Alliance, the National Homeless Law Center and the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous and Tribal Populations.
“Everyone deserves a fair chance at finding housing regardless of their race, family composition, disability status, or legal source of income,” said Rae Sage, policy coordinator at the Permanent Commission. “People working to stay housed should not face additional barriers simply because of how they pay their rent.”
The bill faces further votes in both the Senate and House in the coming days.
Golek is serving her second term in the Maine House of Representatives, representing Harpswell and part of Brunswick. She is a member of the Housing and Economic Development Committee and the Marine Resources Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee (Golek) | 305-965-2744