MaineHousing Section 8 Program: Rental Assistance Details
The MaineHousing Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program assists income-eligible tenants by subsidizing a portion of their monthly rent and utilities. It helps about 3,800 low-income households in Maine each month by directly paying landlords the difference between tenant payments and rent costs. The application process involves completing an application, eligibility determination based on income and background checks, and offering various subsidy types such as Housing Choice Voucher and Project-Based programs.
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HCV Program MaineHousing s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program provides rental assistance to income-eligible tenants by subsidizing a portion of their monthly rent and utilities and paying it directly to their landlords The assistance provided is the difference between what the tenant pays toward rent (generally 30% to 40% of the household s adjusted gross income) and the cost of the rent
HCV Program Cont. MaineHousing s HCV program helps about 3,800 low- income Maine households each month MaineHousing s area of operation is the Balance of State, that is, the area of the State not served by Municipal or Local Housing Authorities The rules and regulations of the HCV program are determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Application Process Applicant Completes an Application For homeless providers not receiving navigator funding. A written referral is submitted on shelter letterhead for applicants in MaineHousing jurisdiction Applicants not homeless or fleeing DV- MaineHousing applies preferences and places them on a centralized waiting list For homeless/DV providers receiving navigator funding from MaineHousing. Navigator works with Melissa Ames through Home to Stay Elderly/Disabled/Families Lives in MH jurisdiction Veteran Date/Time of application Applicants are sorted by weighted preferences and date and time of application Homeless referrals valid for 60 days MaineHousing selects applicants off the waiting list in order, based on available funding and unmet housing need by county (60% for homeless) Homeless and jurisdiction priority will have been verified through referral MaineHousing mails out paperwork using the most updated contact information and when returned verifies preferences and income to determine eligibility Eligible applicants attend a briefing and are given a voucher to search (120 days)
Eligibility Determination Income Restrictions Criminal Background Screening Debt Owed to PHA Terminated from PHA
Section 8 Subsidy Types MaineHousing administers several types of subsidy with specific application/eligibility requirements: Housing Choice Voucher-624-5789 Project-Based-Pam Magee Moderate Rehabilitation-Michelle Duplissis Family Unification Program-Louise Patenaude Stability Through Engagement (STEP)-Christina Roy Non-Elderly Disabled-Christina Roy Disabled and under Medicaid Waiver (18-21,29) Disabled and participant of Homeward Bound Program 811 Set-Aside-Christina Roy Homeless Set-Aside (HTS) Melissa Ames Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing-Jen Grant
Subsidy Types Cont. PBV Project Based Voucher Homeless shelters refer eligible families for participation in the PBV program to the owner. Owners select the family for occupancy Assistance is with the building You may receive a tenant-based voucher, after one year in the PBV unit, if one is available
Subsidy Types Cont. Moderate Rehabilitation MaineHousing refers interested families for participation in the Mod Rehab program to the owner. Owners select the family for occupancy, MaineHousing screens families for eligibility Assistance is with the unit Subsidy ends when the tenant moves out
Subsidy Types Cont. Non-Elderly Disabled (NED)age 18-61 MaineHousing draws applicants from their waitlist Participants must reside in MaineHousing jurisdiction unless a Homeward Bound or 1915 C applicant (40 vouchers) 1915 C and Homeward Bound must have a referral from DHHS or care provider Total set-aside for NED vouchers is 275
Subsidy Types Cont. 811 Set-Aside 33 Vouchers for 18-61 group receiving services under waivers 18, 19, 20, 21,29 7 Vouchers for over 62 group receiving services as listed above Referral from DHHS or licensed provider required to verify that consumer is eligible
Subsidy Types Cont. Stability Through Engagement (STEP) Applicants are submitted from a participating Shelter for screening into the program Participants must participate in navigator services for the duration of the program Rapid re-housing with a goal of self sufficiency through education and support Subsidy provided up to 24 months
Subsidy Types Cont. Homeless Set-Aside (Home To Stay) Applicants are submitted from a participating Shelter for screening into the program Participants must participate in navigator services for the first year Applicants must agree to reside in MaineHousing jurisdiction Goal of this program is permanent housing through education and support
How Do We Apply? MaineHousing has joined The Maine Centralized Section 8/HCV Waiting List in accordance with provisions contained in the United States Housing Act of 1937. All applicant information entered into this list can be accessed and updated by any and all participating housing authorities. Waiting list information is secure and accessed only by authorized housing authority staff. Each participating housing authority accepts applications via the online form, mail, or in person. Applicants DO NOT need to apply more than once. Centralized Waitlist -https://mainesection8centralwaitlist.org MaineHousing - www.mainehousing.org Section 8 General Mailbox: section8hcv@mainehousing.org MaineHousing Customer Service Line (207) 624-5789
Resources Section 8 Income Limits: https://www.mainehousing.org/docs/default- source/rental/section8incomelimits.pdf?sfvrsn=4544d015_26 Section 8 Voucher Payment Standards (eff. 1/2021) https://www.mainehousing.org/docs/default-source/property- mgmt/voucher-payment-standards-012021.pdf?sfvrsn=961c8b15_4 Shelters: https://www.mainehousing.org/programs- services/homeless/emergency-shelters Housing Authorities in Maine: https://www.mainehousing.org/charts/local- housing-authority-contacts
