with regular updates being made. |
Please click here for the new
Section 8 Homeownership Program
Frequently Asked Questions.
Please click here for the new
Section 8 Landlord Handbook.
|
|
Applicant Questions | |
| |
| Q: | What is subsidized housing? |
| A: | Subsidized housing is housing where part of your rent is paid for you, or you are given a reduced rent based on your income. Participants in the Public Housing, Section 8, and Mod Rehab programs pay approximately one-third of their monthly income, after deductions, for rent. If you have dependents or medical expenses, these are adjusted for, and in addition every tenant has adjustments made for utility expenses. |
| |
| Q: | How do I get into the Public Housing program? |
| A: | If you are interested in living in Public Housing, the first thing you need to do is fill out a PHA application. Applications are available at our office (14 Baxter Boulevard, off Forest Avenue across from Pier 1 Imports (Click here for a map). If you are unable to get to our office in person, they are also available by mail: simply call us at 773-4753 and request one. After the application is returned to us, you will be placed on a waiting list (placement is determined by preference standards, plus date and time of the original application). When your name reaches the top of our waiting list, you are called in for an interview. Your final eligibility will be determined through a screening process. Once you are found eligible, you are offered the next available apartment that suits your housing needs. NOTE: Throughout the waiting list process, it is very important that you keep us updated with any address or telephone changes! Your application may be cancelled if we cannot reach you. |
| |
| Q: | What programs can applicants choose from? |
| A: | Applicants can currently apply to our Public Housing or Mod Rehab programs. |
| |
| Q: | What is the difference between Public Housing, Section 8, and Mod Rehab? |
| A: | Public Housing consists of properties that the Portland Housing Authority owns within the City of Portland, Maine. If you are eligible for our programs, when you reach the top of the waiting list you will move into one of these developments. If you are near elderly, elderly or disabled, you man choose between Franklin Towers, Harbor Terrace, and Washington Gardens. If you have a family, you may choose between Sagamore Village, Kennedy Park, Bayside Terrace, Bayside East, Riverton Park, Front Street, Dermott Court, or one of our scattered site units in the Peninsula Housing development. Section 8 is a different program. This is a Voucher Program for individuals and families wishing to rent from a private landlord. Participants receive a Voucher from the PHA, and find their own apartment in the Portland area. The apartment must fall within the Fair Market Rent* in the City of Portland, and must be within a ten (10) mile radius. If the unit meets the program requirements, the participant pays 30% of their adjusted gross monthly income for rent, and the PHA will pay the landlord the remaining rent. If you do not want to move out of your apartment or your neighborhood, this is probably the best program for you. The PHA is currently not accepting applications for this program but you are welcome to call us at 773-4753 to ask for more information. Please see below, under Section 8 Questions, for other details. *: If the rent is higher than Fair Market Rent participants are allowed to pay up to 40% of their income (instead of just 30%) to allow for this. Mod Rehab is a program where the subsidy is on the apartment. The programs serves to guarantee rental assistance to owners who have rehabilitated their rental unit. Families in this program pay 30% of their adjusted gross income for rent. When the family moves out of the unit, the subsidy stays with the unit and does not go with the participant. |
| |
Public Housing Questions | |
| |
| Q: | What happens if my income changes? |
| A: | If your household's income changes, you need to contact your Housing Officer immediately (either Ann Pride, Maureen Welton, or Jen Whitley) at 773-4753, and complete the grey Interim Update form they will give you. No changes can be made to your rent account until they receive the form back from you. If your income has gone down, changes in your rent will occur the rent month following the date when you return your completed Interim Update. If your income has gone up, changes in your rent will usually not occur until your usual Annual Update takes place. If you have any questions about this, please talk to your Housing Officer by calling them at 773-4753. You can also click here to e-mail , or . |
| |
Public Housing Rent-Related Questions | |
| |
| Q: | Where should I send my rent? |
| A: | Your rent should be mailed or dropped off in person to our rental office at: ATTN: Accounts Receivable 14 Baxter Boulevard Portland, ME 04101 |
| |
| Q: | When does my rent have to be paid by? |
| A: | This month (DECEMBER), your rent needs to be paid by Tuesday, January 2nd. Each month, the last day to pay rent falls on the date that is exactly two weeks after the date when Late Rent letters are delivered. If that date is on a weekend or a holiday when we are closed, then the date is moved up to the following weekday. If you have questions about the exact date, please call Karen Paradis at 773-4753 or click here to e-mail . |
| |
| Q: | What happens if I can't pay my rent by this date? |
| A: | If you can't pay your rent by the final payment date, you need to come into Portland Housing and sign a rental agreement, with either the rental office clerk or with Martha Hurd-Call. If you are unable to get to the PHA's office, you may be able to go to your Project Manager to sign an agreement. The agreement will give you until the end of the next month to pay the past due amount (in addition to that month's regular payment). You will need to pay off any outstanding rental agreements before you can start a new one. |
| |
| Q: | Is there a limit to the number of rental agreements I can use? |
| A: | Each resident is allowed to use up to 3 rental agreements in a year. If you are not sure how many agreements you have left this year, please call Karen Paradis at 773-4753 or click here to e-mail . If Karen is unavailable, you may also call Martha Hurd-Call at the same number, or click here to e-mail . |
| |
Section 8 Questions | |
| |
| Q: | What is a Housing Choice Voucher? |
| A: | The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is the government's major program for assisting low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford safe, decent and affordable housing in the private market. The Voucher holder is free to find a suitable housing unit where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family's current residence. Rental units must meet program standards for rent amount and for health and safety. The Voucher holder pays a portion of the rent based on their household income and the Housing Authority pays the difference to the landlord. For more information about the program go to: HUD's Housing Choice Voucher Fact Sheet. LANDLORDS: Please take a look at our current Section 8 Landlord Handbook. You can also view a fillable version of our Owner Contract (HUD form 52641). These links lead to Adobe versions of this document. If you do not have Adobe Reader on your system, please click on the logo below to download a free copy of Adobe Reader.  |
| |
| Q: | How do I apply for the Housing Choice Voucher Program? |
| A: | The Portland Housing Authority's Section 8 Program is not accepting applications for its HCV waiting list at this time. However, we are accepting applications for moderate rehabilitation and project-based voucher housing. These applications are available at our office at 14 Baxter Boulevard in Portland, Maine. |
| |
| Q: | Can I move with my Voucher? |
| A: | Yes, your Voucher is portable -- you can take it with you when you move away. Where and when you can move with your Voucher is determined by each Housing Authority's policy. Please contact Portland Housing for specific information before making plans to move. |
| |
| Q: | Can I buy a house with my Voucher? |
| A: | If you are currently a participant in the HCV Program and receive rental assistance, you may be eligible to receive monthly assistance in meeting home ownership expenses. For more information go to HUD's Homeownership Vouchers information page, or contact here at the PHA. The PHA also has a separate Section 8 Home Ownership Frequently Asked Questions page. |
| |
| Q: | What is Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS)? |
| A: | Any participant on the Housing Choice Voucher program can participate in Portland Housing Authority's FSS program. The program is designed to help you to develop a comprehensive program to develop skills and experience to enable you to obtain employment that pays a liveable wage. Once you establish employment, an escrow fund is created to save money on your behalf. Once you have met the goals of the program you will have access to this escrow fund to spend as you wish. For more information please see HUD's Family Self-Sufficiency information page, or contact here at the PHA. |
== Back to HOME ==