What Maine's housing authorities do and who runs them

Maine has 18 local housing authorities, each run by a separate board and serving a specific city or region. They are not state or federal offices — they are independent public agencies created by local government to manage public housing and rental vouchers in their area. The largest is the Portland Housing Authority, which serves Portland and some surrounding towns. Smaller authorities serve single cities like Bangor, Lewiston, or Augusta, or groups of rural towns.

Each authority owns and maintains public housing units, administers the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8), and sometimes runs emergency rental information or other local programs. They do not set their own rules — federal law and state law set the framework, and each authority follows those rules within its jurisdiction. If you live in Maine and need public housing or a voucher, you contact the authority that covers your town, not a state office.

Key Takeaways

  • Maine has 18 separate housing authorities, each serving a specific city or region, and you must contact the one that covers where you live.
  • Housing authorities manage public housing units and Section 8 vouchers, but they do not decide who is poor enough to need help — federal income limits and local waiting lists do.
  • Most Maine authorities have long waiting lists for both public housing and vouchers, sometimes years long, and some periodically close their lists when demand is too high.
  • You can find your local authority's phone number and office address through the Maine State Housing Authority or by searching your city name plus "housing authority".
  • Housing authorities accept applications in person, by mail, or sometimes online, but each authority sets its own process and timeline.

The 18 Maine housing authorities and their service areas

The Portland Housing Authority is the largest and serves Portland, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, and Westbrook. The Bangor Housing Authority serves Bangor and surrounding towns in Penobscot County. Lewiston-Auburn Housing Authority covers both cities. Augusta Housing Authority serves the capital and nearby areas. Waterville Housing Authority covers Waterville and some neighboring towns.

Smaller authorities serve single towns or clusters of rural communities: Biddeford, Calais, Eastport, Ellsworth, Houlton, Presque Isle, Rockland, Rumford, Sanford, and Saco each have their own authority. The Aroostook County Housing Authority serves multiple towns in the far north. If you are unsure which authority covers your town, call your city or town office — they can tell you when ready, or you can search online for "[your town name] Maine housing authority".

How to find your local authority's contact information

The Maine State Housing Authority maintains a directory of all 18 local authorities on its website, including phone numbers, mailing addresses, and office hours. You can also call 2-1-1 Maine (dial 211 from any phone) and ask for the housing authority in your area — they will give you the correct number and may tell you whether the authority is currently taking new applications.

Most authorities have a main office in their city and are open Monday through Friday during business hours. Some have limited hours or require appointments. Before you visit or call, have your Social Security number, proof of income, and lease or rental history ready — authorities will ask for these during intake.

Public housing units and how waiting lists work

Public housing means apartments or houses owned and operated by the housing authority itself. Rent is set at 30 percent of your household income, so it changes if your income changes. To get on the waiting list, you must meet income limits set by federal law — these vary by family size and by area, but generally a single person earning more than $30,000 to $35,000 per year will not be below the limit.

Once you are on the list, you wait until a unit becomes available. In Maine's larger cities, waiting lists are often two to five years long. Some authorities close their lists when demand is very high and reopen them later. When a unit opens, the authority calls you in the order you applied, so the longer you have been waiting, the sooner you move up. You can be on multiple authorities' lists at once if you are willing to move to a different city.

Section 8 vouchers and how they differ from public housing

A Section 8 voucher (also called a Housing Choice Voucher) is a monthly payment the authority sends to your landlord to cover part of your rent. You find your own apartment in the private market — the authority does not own it — and the landlord must accept the voucher. You pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent, usually 30 percent of your income.

Voucher waiting lists are often longer than public housing lists because vouchers give you more freedom to choose where you live. In Portland, the waiting list can be three to seven years. In rural areas, lists are sometimes shorter but vouchers are harder to use because fewer landlords accept them. Like public housing, you must meet federal income limits. You can search for apartments while you wait, but you cannot use the voucher until the authority issues it to you.

Income limits and what counts as income

Federal law sets income limits for public housing and vouchers based on the area median income. In Maine, limits vary by county. For example, in Cumberland County (Portland area), a single person's gross income must be below roughly $35,000 to $40,000 per year; a family of four must be below roughly $55,000 to $60,000. These numbers change each year. Aroostook County (far north) has lower limits because the area median income is lower.

Income includes wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, and some other sources. It does not include food stamps, Medicaid, or some other benefits. The authority will ask for recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from Social Security to verify your income. If your income is above the limit, you cannot get on the list, but you can reapply if your income drops later.

how the process works and what documents you need

Contact your local authority and ask how the process works. Most accept applications in person at their office, by mail, or through an online portal. You will need to provide: proof of identity (driver's license or state ID), Social Security number, proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), proof of residency (utility bill or lease), and sometimes references from previous landlords or employers.

The authority will verify your income, check your rental history, and run a background check. The process usually takes two to four weeks. Once you are approved and placed on the waiting list, the authority will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available. Some authorities send you a letter; others call. If you move or your contact information changes, tell the authority when ready or you might miss your turn.

What happens if the waiting list is closed

When demand is very high, a housing authority may close its waiting list to new applications. This means you cannot explore until the list reopens. The authority will post a notice on its website or office saying the list is closed and when it might reopen — sometimes in a few months, sometimes in a year or more.

If the list is closed in your area, you have a few options: call the authority every few months to ask when it will reopen, contact 2-1-1 Maine to see if a nearby authority's list is open, or look into other programs like emergency rental information or nonprofit housing programs while you wait. Some authorities reopen their lists on a first-come, first-served basis on a specific date, so you may need to explore early in the day or be prepared to explore online at a set time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on the waiting list for more than one housing authority?

Yes. You can explore to every authority in Maine if you are willing to move to any of those areas. Being on multiple lists increases your chances of getting a unit or voucher sooner. Each authority keeps its own list and timeline, so you might get called by one authority while still waiting for another.

What if I have an eviction or criminal record?

Housing authorities run background checks and may deny you based on eviction history or certain criminal convictions. However, they cannot automatically reject you — they must consider the details, how long ago it happened, and whether you have since paid back rent or stayed out of trouble. Ask the authority about its specific policies before you explore, or contact a legal aid organization in Maine for help.

Do I have to live in the same town as the housing authority?

No. You can explore to an authority in a different town and move there once you get a unit or voucher. Many people explore to authorities in larger cities where more units are available, even if they currently live elsewhere in Maine.

What if my income goes up after I get a voucher or public housing?

Your rent will increase because it is based on your income. The authority will ask you to report income changes. If your income rises above the limit, you may eventually lose the voucher or unit, but authorities usually give you time to transition and do not remove you when ready.

How do I know if my town is covered by a housing authority?

Every town in Maine is covered by one of the 18 authorities. Call your town office or search online for "[your town] Maine housing authority" to find the right one. You can also call 2-1-1 Maine and they will tell you which authority serves your area.