Frequently Asked Questions

To determine eligibility for public housing, please reference the income limits from HUD.

At this time, Portland Housing Authority is not accepting new applications to the Public Housing Waitlist.  However, applications are open for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit properties and the Maine Centralized Waitlist for Housing Choice Vouchers.  Call the administrative office at 207-773-4753, email, visit, or send a request by mail to 

Portland Housing Authority
 970 Baxter Boulevard
3^rd Floor 
 Portland, ME 04103

Yes, there is currently a waiting list but it is closed to new applicants.  Those currently on the waitlist are placed in order by date and time the application was received prior to the waitlist closing. There may be preferences associated with some properties for people who are considered elderly or disabled or a family with minor children. Placement on the waiting list does not mean you are eligible for public housing.  Certification of your eligibility will be determined when your name comes to the top of the list. 

Contact staff via this email or call 207-773-4753 to request an application or more information.

ELIGIBILITY

The PHA is responsible for ensuring that every individual and family admitted to the HCV program meets all program eligibility requirements. This includes any individual approved to join the family after the family has been admitted to the program. The family must provide any information needed by the PHA to confirm eligibility and determine the level of the family’s assistance.

To be eligible for the HCV program:

• The applicant family must:
  • Qualify as a family as defined by HUD and the PHA.
  • Have income at or below HUD-specified low-income limits. 
    • Current HUD income limits are available online at https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il.html
    • click the current year and click the button for Individual Income Limits Areas
    • you will then be able to choose the state and city/town to know if you are eligible. 
  • Qualify on the basis of citizenship or the eligible immigrant status of family members.
  • Provide social security number information for household members as required.
  • Consent to the PHA’s collection and use of family information as provided for in PHA-provided consent forms.
• The PHA must determine that the current or past behavior of household members does not include activities that are prohibited by HUD or the PHA.

More information and definitions are available in Chapter 3 of the Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan.

To apply for a Housing Choice Voucher on-line you can visit the Maine Centralized Section 8 - Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List. 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 970 Baxter Boulevard, 3rd floor, Portland ME 04103 to pick one up. YOU ONLY APPLY ONCE. You may meet the preferences under several Housing Authorities.

Yes

there is a waiting list for vouchers (see "How do I Apply for a Voucher?"). 

The PHA will use the following local preferences, as well as date and time of the application, establish placement position on a waiting list. Families who have also applied for Project Based Vouchers will be selected according to Chapter 17 of the Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan.

Preferences:

The following preference groups are prioritized and offered vouchers based on qualification for funding, availability of vouchers, and the administrative need to for PHA to utilize available vouchers. All households must be on the Centralized Waitlist prior to receiving a voucher.

1. The PHA will offer a preference to any participating family that has been terminated from its HCV program due to insufficient program funding.
2. PHA, under the direction of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, may give preference for tenant-based assistance to persons displaced by natural or national disaster as designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) until such time that funding designated for this preference has been committed.
3. The PHA may offer a preference to families who include victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking who are seeking an emergency transfer under VAWA from PHA’s public housing program or other covered housing program operated by PHA.
4. The PHA may offer a preference to FYI-TPV recipients who have successfully completed 36 months with the FYI-TPV Program and can demonstrate an ongoing need for assistance. *
5. The PHA may offer a preference to current Bridging Rental Assistance Program recipients
6. The PHA may offer a preference to VASH recipients who no longer qualify or choose to receive VASH services if HCV’s are currently available. *
7. The PHA may offer a preference to First-Place recipients. *
8. The PHA may offer a preference to up to 40 families that meet the criteria for the Limited Preference Program for Chronically Homeless (LPPCC) program *

*See Chapter 19 of the Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan for details on preference groups.

For all other applicants the following Point System applies:

Portland Housing gives preference to an applicant family on the waiting list if they qualify for one or more of the preference categories listed below. Local Preference points are cumulative and are added to the applicant family’s priority points (if any) to determine an applicant family’s position on the waiting list

The PHA will first assist families that have been terminated from the HCV program due to insufficient funding and then assist families that qualify for the VAWA preference.

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.

Check out HUD's video on how Housing Choice Vouchers work for Landlords. 

A landlord can go to www.mainehousingsearch.org to post their unit. Voucher holders are all given this resource to locate affordable housing units. Landlords are also welcome to call (207) 773-4753 and housing authority staff will inform current voucher holders of the availability. 

Tenant obligations are covered in detail in Chapter 5 Part I.C. of the Section 8/Voucher Administrative Plan. 

5-I.C. FAMILY OBLIGATIONS (from the 2021 Section 8/Voucher Administrative Plan)

Obligations of the family are described in the housing choice voucher (HCV) regulations and on the voucher itself. These obligations include responsibilities the family is required to fulfill, as well as prohibited actions. The PHA must inform families of these obligations during the oral briefing, and the same information must be included in the briefing packet. When the family’s unit is approved and the HAP contract is executed, the family must meet those obligations in order to continue participating in the program. Violation of any family obligation may result in termination of assistance, as described in Chapter 12.

Time Frames for Reporting Changes Required By Family Obligations

PHA Policy

Unless otherwise noted below, when family obligations require the family to respond to a request or notify the PHA of a change, notifying the PHA of the request or change within 10 business days is considered prompt notice.

When a family is required to provide notice to the PHA, the notice must be in writing.

Family Obligations [24 CFR 982.551]

The family obligations of the voucher are listed as follows:

• The family must supply any information that the PHA or HUD determines to be necessary, including submission of required evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status.
• The family must supply any information requested by the PHA or HUD for use in a regularly scheduled reexamination or interim reexamination of family income and composition.
• The family must disclose and verify social security numbers and sign and submit consent forms for obtaining information.
• Any information supplied by the family must be true and complete.
• The family is responsible for any Housing Quality Standards (HQS) breach by the family caused by failure to pay tenant-provided utilities or appliances, or damages to the dwelling unit or premises beyond normal wear and tear caused by any member of the household or guest.

PHA Policy

Damages beyond normal wear and tear will be considered to be damages which could be assessed against the security deposit under state law or court practice.

• The family must allow the PHA to inspect the unit at reasonable times and after reasonable notice, as described in Chapter 8 of this plan.
• The family must not commit any serious or repeated violation of the lease.

PHA Policy

The PHA will determine if a family has committed serious or repeated violations of the lease based on available evidence, including but not limited to, a court-ordered eviction or an owner’s notice to evict, police reports, and affidavits from the owner, neighbors, or other credible parties with direct knowledge.

Serious and repeated lease violations will include, but not be limited to, nonpayment of rent, disturbance of neighbors, destruction of property, living or housekeeping habits that cause damage to the unit or premises, and criminal activity. Generally, the criterion to be used will be whether or not the reason for the eviction was the fault of the tenant or guests. Any incidents of, or criminal activity related to, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking will not be construed as serious or repeated lease violations by the victim [24 CFR 5.2005(c)(1)].

• The family must notify the PHA and the owner before moving out of the unit or terminating the lease.

PHA Policy

The family must comply with lease requirements regarding written notice to the owner. The family must provide written notice to the PHA at the same time the owner is notified.

• The family must promptly give the PHA a copy of any owner eviction notice.
• The family must use the assisted unit for residence by the family. The unit must be the family’s only residence.
• The composition of the assisted family residing in the unit must be approved by the PHA. The family must promptly notify the PHA in writing of the birth, adoption, or court-awarded custody of a child. The family must request PHA approval to add any other family member as an occupant of the unit.

PHA Policy

The request to add a family member must be submitted in writing and approved prior to the person moving into the unit. The PHA will determine eligibility of the new member in accordance with the policies in Chapter 3. PHA will also require documentation of landlord approval to add the additional family member to the lease.

• The family must promptly notify the PHA in writing if any family member no longer lives in the unit.
• If the PHA has given approval, a foster child or a live-in aide may reside in the unit. The PHA has the discretion to adopt reasonable policies concerning residency by a foster child or a live-in aide, and to define when PHA consent may be given or denied. For policies related to the request and approval/disapproval of foster children, foster adults, and live-in aides, see Chapter 3 (sections I.K and I.M), and Chapter 11 (section II.B).The family must not sublease the unit, assign the lease, or transfer the unit.

PHA Policy

Subleasing includes receiving payment to cover rent and utility costs by a person living in the unit who is not listed as a family member.

• The family must supply any information requested by the PHA to verify that the family is living in the unit or information related to family absence from the unit.
• The family must promptly notify the PHA when the family is absent from the unit.

PHA Policy

Notice is required under this provision only when all family members will be absent from the unit for an extended period. An extended period is defined as any period greater than 30 calendar days within a 45 day period. Written notice must be provided to the PHA at the start of the extended absence.

• The family must pay utility bills and provide and maintain any appliances that the owner is not required to provide under the lease [Form HUD-52646, Voucher].
• The family must not own or have any interest in the unit, (other than in a cooperative and owners of a manufactured home leasing a manufactured home space).
• Family members must not commit fraud, bribery, or any other corrupt or criminal act in connection with the program. (See Chapter 14, Program Integrity for additional information).
• Family members must not engage in drug-related criminal activity or violent criminal activity or other criminal activity that threatens the health, safety or right to peaceful enjoyment of other residents and persons residing in the immediate vicinity of the premises. See Chapter 12 for HUD and PHA policies related to drug-related and violent criminal activity.
• Members of the household must not engage in abuse of alcohol in a way that threatens the health, safety or right to peaceful enjoyment of the other residents and persons residing in the immediate vicinity of the premises. See Chapter 12 for a discussion of HUD and PHA policies related to alcohol abuse.
• An assisted family or member of the family must not receive HCV program assistance while receiving another housing subsidy, for the same unit or a different unit under any other federal, state or local housing assistance program.
• A family must not receive HCV program assistance while residing in a unit owned by a parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sister or brother of any member of the family, unless the PHA has determined (and has notified the owner and the family of such determination) that approving rental of the unit, notwithstanding such relationship, would provide reasonable accommodation for a family member who is a person with disabilities. [Form HUD-52646, Voucher]

For more information on the steps and requirements for portability with your Housing Choice Voucher, please read the How Portability works handout from the office of Public and Indian Housing.

The Study Centers are drop-in support centers with an academic focus. Each Study Center has computers, WiFi internet access, a printer/scanner/copier, books, and general classroom supplies. AmeriCorps members and staff provide academic support and connection to resources to help residents of all ages succeed.

Anyone! The centers are open for youth and adults, living in or around our neighborhoods. The only requirement is that parents or guardians complete and sign our permission slip so we have general information like who to contact in an emergency.

Each Study Center has computers, WiFi internet access, a printer/scanner/copier, books for all reading levels, and plenty of supplies to support academic and artistic achievement! Most importantly, there are staff and volunteers with decades of collective experience who care about your success and are ready to assist you. 

The Study Centers are located in our family housing neighborhoods: 

• Riverton Park - 53 Riverton Drive
• Sagamore Village - 21 Popham Street
• Kennedy Park/Bayside - 51 Mayo Street

The centers are typically open following the Portland Public Schools Calendar and serve meals or sometime host special activities during school vacations. 

In the mornings, Education Specialists work with adults (by appointment) and open in the afternoons for youth to drop in. 

The centers occasionally close for trainings or special events and close when PHA closes for holidays and weather. Visit or call your nearest Study Center to get updates on their schedule. You can also find the study centers on Instagram for day to day updates and activities. 

Volunteers serving with the study centers typically visit for two hours each week for a minimum of 6 weeks to provide academic support and enrichment to youth. The first step in finding your fit for volunteering is to complete the volunteer application linked here.

Thank you for considering a donation to the Study Centers! We ask that you contact us by phone, text, or email before dropping off donations. 

Needs:

• Art supplies - always needed
• Filler paper for binders
• NEW school supplies like notebooks, rulers, glue sticks, pencils, pens, note cards, calculators, etc.

We do not accept used school supplies.

We currently have an overflow of books and are not accepting donations.