State legislators in Maine are considering a bill that would require public housing agencies to let tenants have pets.
The state Legislature’s Labor and Housing Committee is considering the measure, the Sun Journal reports. A recent public hearing on the matter revealed “a wide range of opinions.”
The bill would affect the owners of many rental properties that get public funds. It would allow residents of public housing “to own and maintain one or more common household pets.”
“By increasing the number of rental units that are truly pet-welcoming, we can keep pets in the families where they are loved and cherished, as well as increasing the pool of families able to consider adopting a homeless animal in need,” said Katie Lisnik, executive director the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society.
But Amanda Gilliam of Avesta Housing said the legislation would “increase operating costs for landlords at a time when there is an extreme shortage of safe, quality, affordable housing across the state of Maine.” She also said it would “create additional safety hazards for residents.”