MAINE Rental Housing Guide
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MAINE Rental Housing Guide The mission of MaineHousing is to assist Maine people in obtaining and maintaining quality affordable housing and services suitable to their housing needs. 1 MAINE RENTAL HOUSING GUIDE The Maine Rental Housing Guide provides information about subsidized housing, housing-related resources, and Maine ADDITIONAL RESOURCES rental housing laws. MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority) is Maine's housing finance agency. We fund affordable rental housing development. We also fund rental assistance programs, emergency shelter, home repair, and fuel assistance. For more information about our programs, please visit our website at mainehousing.org. Sometimes it is hard to find help when it comes to finding housing or heating your home. You’re not alone. 211 Maine can help. Contact with 211 Maine is free and private. They are available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. They can help you find help EMERGENCY and connect you or someone you know to local programs and services. RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM You can connect with 211 Maine specialists a few different ways. You can: The Emergency Rental Assistance Program can help Maine renters cover rent and utilities. • call them by dialing 211 • text them your zip code at 898-211 This program was created to help renters cover costs during • email them at [email protected] • visit their online directory at 211maine.org. the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find the most updated information about the program at mainehousing.org/covidrent. You can also call MaineHousing at 1-800-452-4668 if you have MaineHousingSearch.org questions about the program. Maine’MMaiinee’s freefree rental listing service Linking people who need housing with the housing they need Maine Housing Search This is a free, statewide online resource for renters and property managers in Maine. The search options allow you to find affordable, accessible and market-rate housing that will fit your needs. Available online 24-7 and supported by a toll-free, bilingual call center, Monday-Friday, 9 am to 8 pm EST, 1-877-428-8844, Maine Relay 711. 2 Table of Contents RENTAL HOUSING GUIDE ..................................................................................................................................... 1 MAINE RENTAL HOUSING GUIDE .........................................................................................................................2 EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ....................................................................................................2 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ....................................................................................................................................2 SUBSIDIZED HOUSING ......................................................................................................................................... 1 Subsidized Apartments ...................................................................................................................................... 1 Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program ........................................................................................................2 How to Apply - Centralized Wait List ..........................................................................................................................................2 How The Program Works ............................................................................................................................................................2 Tenant Responsibilities ................................................................................................................................................................2 Landlord Responsibilities ............................................................................................................................................................3 Other Affordable Apartments ....................................................................................................................................................3 Housing Agencies ..............................................................................................................................................3 MaineHousing .............................................................................................................................................................................3 Public or Local Housing Authorities (PHAs)...............................................................................................................................3 Bridging Rental Assistance Program (BRAP) and Shelter Plus Care (S+C) Program ...............................................5 Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Supportive Housing Rental Assistance Programs ................................5 Contacts for BRAP and Shelter Plus Care .................................................................................................................................5 Housing Resources - PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) .............................................5 HELP FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS .............................................................................................................6 Maine Emergency Shelters .................................................................................................................................6 Emergency Shelter and Housing Assistance Program (ESHAP) .............................................................................8 Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence (MCEDV)...........................................................................................9 HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP) ................................................................................................ 10 Program Agents............................................................................................................................................... 10 LEAD HAZARDS .................................................................................................................................................... 11 Lead-Related Requirements .............................................................................................................................. 11 MaineHousing'S Lead Programs ........................................................................................................................12 RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD/TENANT LAWS ...........................................................................................................13 Non-Discrimination ......................................................................................................................................... 14 Other Landlord Obligations ..............................................................................................................................15 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION .............................................................................................................................. 16 Codes and Ordinances ..................................................................................................................................... 16 Property Tax & Rent Refund Program ................................................................................................................ 16 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) ...................................................................................................................... 16 211 Maine, Inc. ................................................................................................................................................. 16 MaineHousingSearch.org ................................................................................................................................ 16 Smoke Free Housing ......................................................................................................................................... 16 Assistance for People with Disabilities ................................................................................................................17 Maine Kids-Kin .................................................................................................................................................17 Assistance for Older Adults ...............................................................................................................................17 Assistance for Veterans .....................................................................................................................................17 Legal Resources ............................................................................................................................................... 18 Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) ............................................................................................. 19 General Assistance ..........................................................................................................................................20 3 SUBSIDIZED U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HOUSING hud.gov Customer Service Center, 1-800-955-2232 Subsidized housing is rental assistance provided by the Maine State Office - Bangor government to help people with rent and utility costs. Under some hud.gov/states/maine/offices programs, people who are income-eligible pay a percentage Kelsey D. Brown, HUD State Director, 207-945-0468 of their income toward their