Section 346-36-2 - Joint ResponsibilitiesThe Department and MaineHousing will jointly perform the following responsibilities in administering the Housing First Program:
1.Site-based Housing First Properties. Eligibility of Site-based Housing First Properties for funding from the Housing First Fund will be determined by the Department and MaineHousing pursuant to this rule.2.Housing First Teams.A. Other than Existing Site-based Housing First Properties, all Site-based Housing First Properties must be developed, owned and operated by a Housing First Team that is selected pursuant to this subsection.B. A Housing First Team must include an affordable housing developer, an owner, a property management company, and a Qualified Service Provider. One entity or an Affiliate of any entity may serve in more than one capacity, except the property manager and the Qualified Service Provider cannot be Affiliates; they must be completely separate entities.C. The Department and MaineHousing will establish a competitive process for selecting Housing First Teams which may be implemented through one or more rounds or processes as determined by the Department and MaineHousing. Housing First Teams will be selected based on their knowledge, experience, capacity, and ability to collaborate in developing and operating affordable housing and supportive housing for persons who are homeless, including persons experiencing Chronic Homelessness.D. MaineHousing will select Housing First Teams, including the Qualified Service Provider, pursuant to the competitive process established pursuant to this subsection. MaineHousing will consult with the Department as needed in selecting Housing First Teams.3.Location of Site-based Housing First Properties. The Department and MaineHousing will designate areas in the State where Site-based Housing First Properties will be located to most effectively and efficiently address Chronic Homelessness in the State based on data available to the Department and MaineHousing about the current concentrations of Chronic Homelessness in the State.4.Operation of Site-based Housing First Properties. The Department and MaineHousing will establish tenant selection criteria and operational requirements for Site-based Housing First Properties to ensure tenant protection and safety and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including without limitation fair housing laws.5.Enforcement. The Department and MaineHousing will cooperate in administering and enforcing compliance with the Housing First Program, the MaineHousing Loan Program, and the policies and procedures of the Department established pursuant to this rule.6.Reporting. The Department and MaineHousing will prepare and submit a report annually no later than February 1, beginning February 1, 2025, to the joint standing committee or joint select committee of the State Legislature having jurisdiction over housing matters with the information required under the Housing First Law and such other information as may be required by the committee with oversight to evaluate the effectiveness of the Housing First Program.99-346 C.M.R. ch. 36, § 2