Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Section 8 in Maine has helped provide sanitary and safe rental homes to many low-income Americans for many years. The program helps families, particularly those that include seniors and/or people with disabilities, find low income housing in the private market.
Applicants who meet the general HUD requirements, as well as any additional criteria established by their local Public Housing Agency (PHA), will qualify for the Section 8 program. Once these applicants are found eligible for HUD housing, there is a waiting list and a follow-up interview that they must go through. Because the process to apply for Section 8 is extensive, it is crucial to be informed on the particular details of the program. Read the sections below to learn more.
Discover Maine Section 8 Requirements
There are three main Section 8 requirements in Maine that will determine whether or not you are eligible for this program. These are based on your income, citizenship status and background. Despite the fact that the HUD has its general rules regarding eligibility, PHAs have their own standards as well.
Household income is one of the primary Section 8 qualifications in Maine. Generally, the combined annual income for a household cannot exceed 50 percent of the average income of its residential area. By law, PHAs must provide 75 percent of their vouchers to households who fall below 30 percent of the average area’s median income.
In addition, citizenship status is an important part of determining Section 8 eligibility. These vouchers are limited to households with members who are a U.S. citizen or legal residents, such as individuals who have a green card or are considered qualifying refugees.
The final main factor for Section 8 housing eligibility is passing a background check. Overall, these background checks can encompass specific parts of your life, such as your credit history and/or criminal background.
How to Apply for Section 8 Housing in Maine
When completing a Section 8 application, you will need to provide specific documents to prove that the information you have provided is correct. In general, these applications will prompt you to provide details regarding every member of your household, such as:
- Your family composition
- The income of each adult member of the household
- Background information on each adult member of the household
- Employment history
- Citizenship status
Acceptable proof of income can be tax returns or pay stubs. Examples of acceptable proof of citizenship include birth certificates, voter registration cards or permanent residency cards (also known as green cards). Social Security Numbers (SSNs) email addresses and phone numbers may also be requested when you apply for Section 8 in Maine.
You may use a few methods to complete your application for low income housing assistance in Maine. Generally, you may complete this procedure by phone, in person at a PHA or online. More often than not, completing the Section 8 application online is one of the fastest available methods.
Once you have finished completing your application, you may submit it to a local PHA in person or online. The PHA will then take a few weeks or months to process. Then, the PHA will confirm or deny your application or ask to further verify any details.
Understanding Section 8 Waiting Lists in Maine
Once you are approved for housing assistance, you will be placed on a Section 8 waiting list. These waitlists are administered by the local PHAs in Maine and often receive more applicants than it can hold on a yearly basis. Due to the high volume of applicants and the lack of available resources, waiting lists are often long and may even close during certain periods of time.
You may apply to several PHAs to expand your options. To check your section 8 waiting list status, you may contact the PHA where you filed your application.
Learn About Maine Section 8 Housing Lists
When the name of an applicant reaches the top of a waitlist, he or she becomes eligible to start receiving these vouchers. However, it is important to note that not all landlords accept HUD housing vouchers as acceptable forms of payment.
Due to that fact, many PHAs offer Section 8 housing lists that contain listings of properties that accept tenants who are enrolled in this program. Moreover, these lists already contain homes that meet the HUD standards for safe and sanitary conditions.
