MaineHousing launches more rent relief as federal aid becomes available
Photo / Maureen Milliken
MaineHousing has launched a new rent relief program, funded by $200 million from the federal relief act passed by Congress in December and in partnership with the state's Community Action Programs.
Maine renters affected by COVID-19 can take advantage of a new rent relief program offered by MaineHousing, funded by the COVID-19 relief act passed by Congress in December.
The program will be overseen by the state's housing authority, which has contracted with Maine’s Community Action Programs to administer the relief in all 16 counties to people whose finances have been affected by the pandemic and related shutdowns.
The U.S. Treasury Department released new guidance for the program on Feb. 22. The Maine Affordable Housing coalition a month ago said that renters and landlords in Maine were falling farther behind as the Treasury Department finalized program rules for the desperately needed rent relief, which hasn't been available since Dec. 31, when the program was paused.
The new program has a number of changes from the ones of the previous 12 months, including allowing applicants to apply for rent and utilities owed back to March 13, 2020, as well as apply for three months of rent in advance of the application date. People living in subsidized housing may also qualify.
The program also includes a significant dedicated funding source, which allowed MaineHousing and the CAPs to design a program that can last for up to 15 months depending on an applicant’s needs. The fact the program is more predictable than the previous one eliminates the need for tenants to apply monthly or keep track of changing program requirements, MaineHousing said in a news release. The program also offers housing stability services for those at risk of losing their housing.
"We are all living under the direction to stay ‘safe at home,'" Daniel Brennan, director of MaineHousing, said in the release. "We need to make sure that every Mainer has a stable home for themselves and their families. We have heard and felt the urgency from many who fear that one of their most basic needs is threatened. This program will help meet that need, and we’re ready with the assistance and support for it to work effectively.”
Brennan said the agency worked with CAPs "every day to craft a program to meet federal guidelines, but more importantly the needs of Mainers."
Criteria for applicants
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
Be at or below a certain income, which varies depending on location and household size;
- Reduced income, have incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardships because of COVID-19 or qualified for unemployment benefits between March 13, 2020, and the date they apply;
- Must show they are at risk for becoming homeless or that they might lose their housing. This may include borrowing money to pay rent or utilities, being behind on rent or utilities, or receiving an eviction notice.
- High demand at the outset of the program is anticipated, so it may take some time to process applications. Tenants and landlords should communicate about the program, as both parties will need to submit and sign documentation.
Brennan said, “We are eager to get these funds to those who need it. As with every new system that agencies, businesses, and organizations are creating to deal with COVID-19, we are doing our best to incorporate lessons learned and customer feedback. This has been a huge lift, and we’re honored to do it."
A study in December found that Maine renters are at the lowest risk in the nation to be evicted, largely because of state programs administered with CARES Act funding and through MaineHousing.
The data, collected from Maine’s seven busiest eviction courts, shows that eviction filings have decreased significantly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. But landlords said in February that tenants were falling farther behind.
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