Application Instructions for Maine Section 8
Step 1
In order to provide the residents of Maine safe and affordable housing, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Maine State Housing Authority (MSHA) provide Section 8 low-income housing assistance. Under section 8 in Maine households can choose between:
- The Housing Choice Voucher program
- ReStart program
- Stability Through Engagement program
- Subsidized project-based apartments
The Housing Choice Voucher program provides a subsidy so that households pay up to 30% of their adjusted gross income for rent and utilities. Under this program households get to choose where they want to live, while benefiting from affordable housing.
The ReStart program is a HUD Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program. This program works in correlation with the housing choice voucher program. If you currently have a Housing Choice Voucher you can register for the restart program, which provides job skills training, educational resources, and a savings program. Once you completely restart program you will be broke given a savings account that was established in your name using the money that you paid for rent each month. This money can be used to put a down payment on a house so that you can have a permanent residence.
The Stability Through Engagement program is a short-term, low-income housing assistance service. This program is meant for individuals and households who are homeless. You must be referred by one of 10 participating shelters in Maine. The services are only provided for six to 12 months during which you are to find long-term accommodations.
Subsidized housing in Maine includes project based apartments located throughout the state in 16 counties. Your rent is preset and you pay a portion of your household income towards rent each month.
To get started with either of these Maine Section 8 programs you will need to apply for Section 8 services.
Who can Qualify for Section 8?
Maine Section 8 programs are restricted to households that meet the low-income limit. For example, a one-person household in Maine must earn less than $35,850 to they considered low income. Family of four would need to have earned less than $51,200 and a year to qualify for services. If you do not exceed the very low income or extremely low income limits, then you may be considered priority for Section 8 programs.
In addition to meeting the low-income limit, your household must also meet other qualification requirements:
- Anyone who files for Maine Section 8 services must be at least 18 years old.
- Your household income total Will include everyone working over 18 except for those who are elderly or disabled.
- You must be a full-time resident of Maine.
- You must be either a US citizen or a naturalized immigrant with permanent residency status.
Also, when you apply for Maine Section 8 the public housing authority will conduct a criminal background check on you and everyone over 18 in your household who is of able-body. If anyone has any history of drug offenses, manufacturing methamphetamine, or sexual offenses, your household may be turned down for services.
Finally, if you have any disabled or elderly individual living in your household you will receive priority. Also, if you have been in voluntarily displaced or are currently homeless, you will also receive priority for Maine section 8 program.
How to Apply
To get started with your application for main section 8 programs you will need to contact your local public housing authority. Maine has:
These are now open. Choose the public housing authority wait list that serves your area and apply to that waitlist. When your name comes up on the waitlist you will be provided with a thorough application process for section 8 services. This will include the criminal background check and detailed financial history. You will be required to provide documentation to prove your finances and household composition. You may also be required to complete an interview by your public housing authority representative.
Once you are approved for Maine Section 8 services you will receive instructions on how to proceed. If you are chosen for the Housing Choice Voucher program you will be responsible for finding affordable housing.
To find out more about waitlist or the programs offered through main section 8 contact your local public housing authority or the Bangor Field Office for your state HUD representative.