Proposal would add right to housing to Maine constitution
- The resolution needs 2/3 vote in both chambers to pass the legislature
- If it does, voters will ultimately be the ones to decide on the amendment
- In 2021 Maine voters added a right to food to the state constitution
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(NewsNation) — A proposed resolution in Maine would amend the state constitution to guarantee a right to housing.
A public hearing is being held on the proposal on Tuesday sponsored by Portland Democratic Representative Ben Collings, the proposed amendment would give all people a “natural, inherent and unalienable” right to housing.
In 2021, the constitution was amended to include a right to food, with the support of 60% of Maine voters, something Collings referenced in his arguments for the change.
Critics have called the proposal socialism, suggesting that homes would be taken from people to give to those without housing. Others have raised legal questions about how the law would work in practice.
Collings said that a right to shelter does not mean giving everyone a house and suggested it would be up to state and local governments as to how they would provide shelter.
The legislation is designed to help those experiencing homelessness and those who are spending more than half their income on rent, mandating the state do more to help address the problem of affordable housing.
The proposal must pass both houses in the legislature with two-thirds of the vote in order for a statewide referendum to go on the ballot, allowing voters to have the ultimate say on if the constitution is changed.
