Me. Rev. Stat. » Title 30-A
Maine Revised Statutes

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 30-A, § 4721 (2026)

Creation of municipal authorities

✓ current as of May 2026
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1.  Creation of housing authorities.  In each municipality there is created a public body corporate and politic to be known as the "Housing Authority" of the municipality. This authority may not transact any business or exercise its powers unless the municipal legislative body declares by resolution that there is a need for an authority to function in that municipality.  
A. Any housing authority created and existing under Public Law 1943, chapter 260, shall, notwithstanding the expiration of that chapter, continue in existence for the purposes of this chapter and have the powers granted by this chapter, if the legislative body of the municipality for which the housing authority was created declares by resolution that there is a need for that housing authority to exercise the powers granted by this chapter.   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
2.  Procedure.  The municipal legislative body shall consider the need for an authority on its own motion or upon the filing of a petition with the mayor of the city or the select board of the town. This petition must be signed by 25 voters of the city or town and assert that there is a need for an authority to function in the municipality and request that the municipal legislative body declare that need.  
[PL 2021, c. 275, §49 (AMD).]
3.  Standard.  The municipal legislative body shall adopt a resolution declaring that there is a need for an authority in the municipality if it finds that:  
A. Insanitary or unsafe inhabited dwelling accommodations or blighted areas exist in the municipality; or   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
B. There is a shortage of safe or sanitary dwelling accommodations in the municipality available to persons of low income at rentals or prices that they can afford.   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
4.  Appointment of commissioners.  Upon the adoption of a resolution by the municipal legislative body, the mayor of the city or the select board of the town shall appoint the commissioners of the authority under section 4723, subsection 1.  
[PL 2021, c. 275, §50 (AMD).]
5.  Meeting with municipal legislative body.  Unless the municipality and the authority agree otherwise, an authority shall meet at least annually with the legislative body of the municipality for which it is created.  
[PL 2017, c. 234, §9 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1987, c. 737, §§A2,C106 (NEW). PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 104, §§C8,10 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 234, §9 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 275, §§49, 50 (AMD).
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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases, 1995–2019 · leading case: Dowling v. Bangor Hous. Auth., 2006 ME 136 (Me. 2006).
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Dowling v. Bangor Hous. Auth., 2006 ME 136 (Me. 2006). · cites it 4× “NOTES [1] The Authority was created pursuant to 30-A M.R.S. § 4721, and has "all the powers necessary to carry out its functions, including the power to sue and be sued.”
Doe v. Portland Hous. Auth., 656 A.2d 1200 (Me. 1995). · cites it 2× “The PHA is a municipal housing authority created pursuant to 30-A M.R.S.A. § 4721 (Pamph.1994). See 30-A M.”
Salvato v. Portland Hous. Auth. (D. Me. 2019). “The Law Court has described the Portland Housing Authority as “a municipal housing authority created pursuant to 30-A M.R.S.A. § 4721[.]” Doe, 656 A.2d at 1201 .”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 30-A, § 4721(1) — 2 cases
Dowling v. Bangor Hous. Auth., 2006 ME 136 (Me. 2006). “NOTES [1] The Authority was created pursuant to 30-A M.R.S. § 4721, and has "all the powers necessary to carry out its functions, including the power to sue and be sued.”
Doe v. Portland Hous. Auth., 656 A.2d 1200 (Me. 1995). “The PHA is a municipal housing authority created pursuant to 30-A M.R.S.A. § 4721 (Pamph.1994). See 30-A M.”
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