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1. How do I know if my family (if any) and I are eligible for the Housing Choice Voucher program?

The standards to qualify for the Housing Choice Voucher Program are compiled for your benefit into a helpful guide.

2. How do I apply for a voucher?

To apply for a Housing Choice Voucher on-line you can click on the Maine Centralized Section 8 - Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List on the list on the left. Read the information for the wait list and follow the instructions. If you would prefer to receive an application to complete and submit you can call 207-773-4753 and request an application and it will be mailed to you or you can come to our office at 14 Baxter Boulevard, Portland ME 04101 to pick one up. YOU ONLY APPLY ONCE. You may meet the preferences under several Housing Authorities.

3. Is there a waiting list for a voucher?

HCV applicants are chosen from a wait list used by multiple housing authorities. See question #2 for information on how to apply. The list is extensive but it is populated with people from various parts of the state and applicants will generally be chosen by preference and place of residency.

The Portland Housing Authority (PHA) gives preference to applicants on the waiting list who are considered elderly or disabled or a family with minor children who live or work in our area of operation.

Placement on the waiting list does not mean you are eligible for the Housing Choice Voucher program. Certification of your eligibility will be done when your name comes to the top of the list.

4. What if I move after applying?

Once you have applied for a voucher it is your responsibility to make sure your mailing address is correct. You can make changes to your address, e-mail and preferences , etc through the on-line Waiting List system. You need an account to make changes on-line whether you originally applied on-line or not. Go to the Waiting List on the left and follow the instructions to establish an account. You need the App ID # and your e-mail address as you entered it originally. If you want to make a change to your original application you can get a change form at any of the participating Housing Authorities and drop it off again. Of course you can come to PHA at 14 Baxter Boulevard, Portland, ME. 04101 or call 207-773-4753 and one will be sent to you.

5. What happens when my name comes to the top of the waiting list?

When your name comes to the top of the list you will be contacted by someone from the Housing Authority who has chosen you from the Wait List. Each Housing Authority has it's own process but you will be required to complete an intake application, be able to provide verification of Social Security numbers, statuses as a Citizen of the United States or legal residency and date of birth. You will also be asked to submit income, asset, and various other verifications as required for each member in your family. PHA will also do several required checks for criminal background, sex offender status and whether you owe any money to any other Housing Authority. Your eligibility for a Voucher will be decided during this process.
If you are determined to be eligible at that time you will attend a briefing where you will be told all the details about the voucher program and be issued your Housing Choice Voucher.

6. Does the Wait List close?

The Voucher Waiting List is a combined wait list that allows participating Housing Authorities to draw a pool of applicants who meet their particular preferences. This list may be updated but it is never closed. Each Housing Authority will draw from the list based on their own program's funding and availability of Vouchers to issue. view our helpful quick links.