Understanding how to apply for Section 8 housing in Maine goes beyond just submitting an application. There are many parts to figuring out how to sign up for Section 8, including researching the eligibility criteria set forth by each Public Housing Agency (PHA) office. Applicants who want to learn how to apply for housing assistance in Maine should familiarize themselves with the proper procedures for their chosen PHA. Low-income families who qualify for housing assistance have the opportunity to receive vouchers to put toward their monthly rent. Before applicants can submit a Section 8 application to a PHA though, they must understand other crucial components of the program.

Learn When to Submit HUD Section 8 Applications in Maine

Part of the process involved in how to apply for Section 8 housing in Maine is understanding that each Public Housing Agency office has different procedures. For example, it is not always possible to submit a Section 8 application at any given time during the year. Since the overall demand for housing severely outweighs the number of housing vouchers available, some PHAs choose to close their waiting lists. As such, applicants who sign up for HUD housing must research which PHAs in their state are currently accepting applications. Maine has various housing authorities, but only a few may remain open. Even at open PHA offices, applicants who sign up for HUD housing may still be added to a waiting list prior to receiving a voucher. For instance, applicants with the Augusta housing authority were able to register for Section 8 housing program benefits starting in April 2013 but were added to a waiting list until a voucher became available. It is important to understand that applicants who sign up for HUD housing through an open enrollment office are not guaranteed approval, but rather the opportunity to have their Section 8 application reviewed. Applicants who register for Section 8 housing program benefits should consider applying to more than one open PHA to potentially speed up the process

Learn How to Sign up for Section 8 Benefits in Maine

Understanding how to apply for Section 8 housing in Maine also includes knowing the methods of registration. Petitioners who sign up for HUD housing should understand that Section 8 housing authorities differ in what they require for an application. While applicants may be able to register for the program online through one PHA office, another may accept Section 8 applications in person only. Applicants can submit a Section 8 application in various ways and should first research the chosen PHA to see what criteria is necessary. For example, the Augusta housing authority in Maine allows applicants to access an application for HUD housing in one of four ways:

• Submitting an application through an online portal.
• Downloading and printing the application from online.
• Contacting the PHA to receive an application by mail.
• Picking up an application from the PHA office.

It is important for applicants who sign up for HUD housing to understand the chosen PHA’s procedures before applying. Another key part of knowing how to apply for housing assistance in Maine is understanding the preferences PHA offices use to prioritize applicants on the waiting list. Priority generally goes to applicants who are:

• Disabled or have disabled household members.
• Elderly or have elderly household members.
• Veterans.
• Displaced by a natural or national disaster.
• Homeless as defined by the HUD.

Any applicants who register for Section 8 housing program benefits and do not fall under the above-mentioned categories are not given priority on the waiting list. Before submitting a Section 8 application, applicants should understand that certain documentation is required of them in order to apply for the program. This includes the number of adults and minor children who live in the home, the annual household income before taxes, Social Security Numbers and details about the current housing situation. Applicants who sign up for HUD housing may be subject to both credit checks and background checks, as well as asked to provide photo identification or a birth certificate for each household member. Learn more about the documents required for enrollment by downloading our guide.

Learn How to Check the Status of Your Section 8 Application in Maine

Applicants who learn how to apply for housing assistance in Maine should also understand how to check the status of their application once submitted. For many who sign up for HUD housing, checking the status of an application is as simple as logging back into the website to see any updates. However, for applicants who register for Section 8 housing program benefits but do not apply online, the next best approach is to contact the local PHA for updates. While many PHA offices cannot provide exact estimates for when an applicant can expect approval or denial, it is important to remain patient throughout the process. Since the demand for housing in Maine is high, those who sign up for HUD housing without any preferences may need to wait longer than expected. Applicants who register for Section 8 housing program benefits, regardless of whether or not they are approved, are notified in the mail of the decision. If applicants sign up for HUD housing benefits and are denied into the program, they may contact their local PHA to see what the next steps may be.