What the Lewiston Housing Authority does

The Lewiston Housing Authority (LHA) is a public agency that manages public housing units and administers housing vouchers in Lewiston, Maine. It does not provide rental information grants or emergency funds — it runs two separate programs: public housing (where LHA owns the building) and the Housing Choice Voucher program (where you rent from a private landlord and LHA pays part of your rent).

LHA is independent from the city government, though it receives federal funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). If you live in Lewiston and need affordable housing, LHA is the body you contact directly. It maintains its own waiting lists, sets its own income limits within federal guidelines, and processes all applications itself.

Key Takeaways

  • The Lewiston Housing Authority runs two separate programs: public housing units it owns, and Housing Choice Vouchers you use with private landlords.
  • Both programs have waiting lists that are often closed; you can call LHA to ask whether applications are currently being taken.
  • Income limits vary by household size and are set by HUD but enforced by LHA; you will need recent pay stubs or tax returns to prove income.
  • Public housing rent is based on 30 percent of your household income; voucher rent depends on the market rate of the unit you choose.
  • You can contact LHA directly at their office in Lewiston — they do not use a central state or federal portal.

Public housing: what you get and how rent works

Public housing means LHA owns the building and you rent directly from them. LHA maintains several properties in Lewiston with one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom units. Rent is set at 30 percent of your household's gross monthly income, with a minimum rent (usually $50 to $100 per month, depending on LHA policy). You pay utilities separately unless the lease states otherwise.

To live in public housing, your household income must fall below the limit set by HUD for your area and household size. For Lewiston, the income limits change annually. You will need to provide recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer to prove income. If you are unemployed, you may need to show unemployment benefits statements or other income documentation.

Public housing waiting lists in Lewiston are often closed. Call LHA directly to ask whether they are currently taking applications. If the list is closed, ask when it typically reopens — some housing authorities reopen lists seasonally or when units become available.

Housing Choice Vouchers: how the program works

A Housing Choice Voucher (also called Section 8) is a subsidy that lets you rent from any private landlord who accepts the program. LHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent based on the unit's market rate and your income; you pay the difference. You choose where to live within Lewiston (or in some cases, nearby areas), and you keep the voucher as long as you remain income-may be able to access.

The amount LHA pays depends on the unit's fair market rent (set by HUD for your area) and your household income. If the unit rents for more than the fair market rent, you pay the difference out of pocket. If it rents for less, you pay 30 percent of your income and LHA pays the rest.

Voucher waiting lists are typically very long in Lewiston and are often closed. When a list is open, LHA may use a lottery system or a date-order system to select applicants. Call LHA to learn the current status and ask to be placed on a waiting list if applications are being taken.

Income limits and household composition

HUD sets income limits for each area based on the area median income. Lewiston's limits change each year and vary by household size. A single person has a lower limit than a family of four. You must be at or below the limit to be admitted to either program.

Household composition matters because it determines which unit size you can rent and affects your income limit. LHA counts all people living in the unit, including children, elderly relatives, and live-in aides. Guests and temporary residents do not count. If your household size changes after you move in, you may need to move to a different unit size.

To find the current income limits for Lewiston, contact LHA directly or visit HUD's website and search for Androscoggin County income limits. Write down the limit for your household size before you call LHA.

Documents you need to bring

LHA will ask for proof of income, identity, and residency. Bring recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), a copy of your most recent tax return, and a letter from your employer stating your position and pay rate. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns for the last two years and a profit-and-loss statement.

For identity, bring a state ID, driver's license, or passport. For residency, bring a utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency showing your current address. If you are homeless or do not have a current address, ask LHA what documents they will accept instead.

If you receive benefits (Social Security, unemployment, TANF, SNAP), bring the most recent award letter or benefit statement. If you have no income, bring documentation of that — a letter from a social worker, unemployment office, or other agency stating you have no income.

How to contact Lewiston Housing Authority

The Lewiston Housing Authority office is located in Lewiston, Maine. You can reach them by phone to ask about waiting list status, program rules, and what documents to bring. Call during business hours — most housing authorities operate Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

When you call, have your household size and current income ready. Ask whether waiting lists are open for public housing, vouchers, or both. If lists are closed, ask when they typically reopen and whether you can be added to a notification list.

You can also visit the LHA office in person to pick up an process or ask questions face-to-face. Some people find it faster to visit in person during the first hour the office is open, when wait times are shorter.

What happens after you submit an process

After you submit an process, LHA will verify your income, household composition, and background. They will contact your employer or benefits provider to confirm what you reported. This process usually takes two to four weeks.

LHA will also run a background check and may contact previous landlords to ask about your rental history. They look for a history of paying rent on time and following lease terms. If you have an eviction on your record, you may still be considered, but LHA will review the circumstances.

Once verification is complete, LHA will place you on the waiting list in the order your process was received (or by lottery, depending on their system). When a unit or voucher becomes available, LHA will contact you. The wait can be months or years depending on how many people are ahead of you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on both the public housing and voucher waiting lists at the same time?

Yes. You can submit separate applications for both programs and be on both waiting lists. If you are offered a unit or voucher, you can accept one and stay on the other list, or decline and remain on both. Ask LHA about their specific policy when you explore.

What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?

LHA will consider your process but will review your background carefully. Certain crimes (drug-related offenses, violent crimes) may disqualify you permanently. Evictions are reviewed case-by-case — LHA looks at when it happened and the reason. Call LHA and ask what their policy is before you explore.

Do I have to live in Lewiston to use a voucher?

Vouchers are typically usable only in Lewiston and sometimes in nearby areas, depending on LHA's portability agreement with other housing authorities. If you want to move out of Lewiston, ask LHA whether you can transfer your voucher to another area.

What if my income goes up after I move in?

Your rent will increase because it is based on 30 percent of your income. You will need to report the income change to LHA. If your income exceeds the program limit, you may be required to leave the program, though some programs allow a gradual phase-out period.

How long does it take to get off the waiting list?

Wait times vary widely depending on how many people are on the list and how many units or vouchers become available. In Lewiston, waits can range from several months to several years. LHA can tell you the average wait time when you call.