Housing Funding Bill Authored by Sen. Collins with Key Wins for Maine Advances

Washington, D.C. — Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee unveiled the fiscal year (FY) 2021 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill that was authored by Senator Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Housing Appropriations Subcommittee.  The legislation includes Senator Collins’ provisions to support vulnerable Mainers and strengthen communities. Senator Collins drafted the bill with broad, bipartisan input, and it now heads to a Conference Committee before it will be voted on by the full Senate and House.

“Increasing the supply of safe, affordable housing and strengthening our communities are among my top priorities as Chairman of the Housing Appropriations Subcommittee,” said Senator Collins.  “This bipartisan bill will bolster housing for low-income families and seniors, reduce homelessness, and support revitalization projects across Maine.”

The FY 2021 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill provides $74.8 billion in new funding, $561 million more than last year.  Housing provisions secured by Senator Collins to benefit Maine include:

·         Community Development Block Grants. The bill provides $3.425 billion for the Community Development Block Grant program, which helps state and local governments promote economic development and job creation.

·         Housing during substance abuse recovery. The bill provides $30 million for assistance to States to provide temporary housing to those who are in recovery from a substance use disorder. Maine will receive $1 million.

·         Funding for youth homelessness. The bill includes $80 million for grants and technical assistance to test comprehensive efforts to end youth homelessness in urban and rural areas.

·         Section 8 Vouchers for youth aging out of foster care. The bill includes $20 million for new family unification vouchers to prevent youth exiting foster care from becoming homeless.

·         Housing Vouchers for Homeless Veterans (HUD-VASH). The bill includes $40 million for new HUD-VASH vouchers to reduce veterans’ homelessness. Since the program was first established in 2008, Maine has received 238 vouchers to support homeless veterans.

·         Increased funding for lead grants. The bill includes $360 million to combat lead hazards, $70 million above last year’s level. These grants will help communities protect children from the harmful effects of lead hazard poisoning.

·         Aging in Place Home Modifications for Seniors. The bill includes $10 million for grants for home modifications to enable low-income seniors to “age in place’ and remain in their own homes.

·         Section 202 Housing for the Elderly. The bill includes $853 million for the Section 202 program.  Of this total, $38.5 million is for the development of new senior housing properties, and $38.5 million is for the expansion of service coordinators to properties that do not have coordinators.

·         Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS). The bill includes $105 million for the FSS program.

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