The Section 8 housing program in Maine is federally operated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, and administered by public housing agencies (PHAs) at the local level. The local PHA is responsible for determining applicant eligibility and distributing housing vouchers. The Section 8 program offers low income housing, and the local housing authorities maintain a waiting list of eligible applicants in the county. Low income house rentals are located throughout the state of Maine and currently have many openings.

Learn About Section 8 Requirements in Maine

Section 8 eligibility requirements are different for each county in Maine. Nearly 3,800 low income households are assisted each month across the state, and income restrictions are based on the median annual household income for each county. This means fluctuations program income limits can vary from one county to the next. What are the qualifications for low income housing in ME? In Maine, there are three main qualification categories that are considered when evaluating a Section 8 applicant:

• Income: An applicant’s total household income level must fall within a pre-set limit. In order to qualify for affordable housing in ME, the applicant’s income level must fall below the area’s median annual salary by at least 50 to 80 percent.
• Household size: The household size and the age of children are also considered when determining eligibility. This also helps determine the amount of benefits a household receives if deemed eligible.
• Household make-up: Households with family members who are elderly, pregnant or have disabilities are often given priority status.

What are the requirements for section 8? In addition to income and household size, the applicant must have at least one person in the family who is a U.S. citizen, preferably the applicant. Public housing applicants must also reside within the county where the application is being submitted. Petitioners who believe they would meet the income restrictions in another county are urged to move to that county ahead of submission and apply once they have established residency. After reading the public housing eligibility requirements, many potential applicants ask themselves, “Do I qualify for Section 8 housing?” A person will qualify for affordable housing if he or she and the family household meet income and citizenship requirements and have clean background checks. Applicants or household members who have engaged in criminal activity, have a known history of alcohol abuse, or owe money to the Maine Housing Authority, will not be eligible for low income housing. Once eligibility has been established, applicants often wonder, “What do I need to apply for public housing in Maine?” In the state of Maine, the initial application does not require corroborative documentation. After a pre-interview, the applicant will be asked to provide proof of income using tax returns, banking statements, or, in some instances, paystubs. Proof of citizenship and in-county residency will also be required. Lastly, any irregularities that come up on the background check must be accounted for. Some counties also require military service records, SSI papers and any other federal aid documents that might indicate need. The homeless, disabled, and senior citizens are given top priority.

Learn How to Apply for Section 8 Housing in Maine

There are a few different ways to submit a Section 8 application. The online application for low income housing in Maine is made available through various housing authority websites. While application forms can be accessed online, they cannot be submitted digitally. Once completed, the application must be printed and mailed or submitted in person. Applicants who want to learn how to sign up for affordable housing in their county can ask for assistance at the housing authority office. In order to register for public housing housing program assistance in Maine, applicants must receive help in person from a registered agent at the housing authority in their area. Correctly filling out the HUD affordable housing application is very important because failure to accurately complete the application can result in its rejection. After the low income housing application has been submitted, petitioners are asked to wait at least two weeks to allow for processing. When two weeks have passed, applicants may check status for Section 8 applications by calling the office where it was submitted, or inquire online. Many applicants will have received their confirmation or denial letters, in the mail by this time.

Learn About Section 8 Waiting Lists in Maine

The Section 8 housing waiting list in ME is currently open and receiving applications. Applicants who meet the income, residency, and background check requirements are added to the list. Vouchers are issued to applicants at the top of the list when approved housing becomes available. The low income housing waiting list is different for each county in Maine, so applicants are urged to check waiting list status for public housing with their specific housing authority. The affordable housing program application waiting list is updated weekly, and applicants must continue to monitor the list to see when their name lies. Once an applicant’s name is at the top of the list, he or she will be contacted by phone and by mail. For those living in counties where there are few affordable housing openings, the question becomes: When will the low income housing waiting lists open? Once there is a vacancy in an approved dwelling, the next eligible family on the list will receive notification and vouchers will be issued.

Learn About Section 8 Denials in Maine

In the state of Maine, Section 8 disqualifications are issued when an applicant has not met the eligibility requirements for public housing inclusion. What are the reasons for Section 8 denial? Applicants who receive an affordable housing denial letter will have a complete listing of why their application was turned down for benefits. Many applicants get denied for filling out the forms incorrectly or incompletely, while others did not pass the required background check. The evaluation provided encompasses all adult family members and not just the applicant. Upon notification of disqualification, the petitioner may submit a low income housing denial appeal to contest the ruling. Contacting the housing authority is a good first step as the agents there can tell the applicant what to do if a public housing application was denied. The agent can also direct the applicant as to how to appeal public housing denials in their county, and how to proceed with the process. Low income housing denial appeals must be made within two weeks of receipt of the denial letter, or the housing authority will not accept an application re-submission for a full year. Website: Local Offices. State: Maine