What Portland Housing Authority Does

Portland Housing Authority (PHA) is a public agency that manages public housing units and rental vouchers in Portland, Maine. It does not run all housing programs in the city — it runs specific ones tied to federal funding. If you live in Portland and need housing help, PHA handles public housing and the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8). Other information — emergency rental funds, down payment help, or rapid rehousing — comes from different agencies and nonprofits.

PHA's main job is to own and maintain public housing buildings and to administer vouchers that let low-income renters pay a portion of their rent while the program covers the rest. Both programs have waiting lists. Both require income verification and a lease inspection. Both are free to use once you are accepted.

Key Takeaways

  • Portland Housing Authority runs public housing apartments and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), but not emergency rental information or other city housing programs.
  • Both public housing and vouchers have waiting lists that can be months or years long, and PHA does not control how fast the list moves.
  • You must meet income limits, pass a background check, and have a valid lease or rental agreement to use either program.
  • PHA's office is located in Portland and handles applications, lease inspections, and rent calculations by phone, mail, and in person.
  • If you need help right away, contact 211 Maine or your local community action agency — they manage emergency funds that PHA does not.

Public Housing: What It Is and How to Get On the List

Public housing means apartments owned and operated by PHA itself. You pay rent based on your income — usually 30 percent of your gross monthly income, with PHA covering the rest. The rent is lower than market rate, but the units are older and in specific locations throughout Portland.

To get on the waiting list, you contact PHA directly and request an process. You will need to provide proof of income, identification, and Social Security numbers for all household members. PHA will run a background check and verify your income. Once you are on the list, you wait for a unit to become available in a building that matches your family size.

Waiting times vary. Some people wait months; others wait years. PHA does not publish how long the list is or how fast it moves. You can call PHA to ask your position, but the answer depends on how many units open up and how many people are ahead of you. If your circumstances change — your income goes up, your family size changes, or you move out of Portland — tell PHA, because it may affect your place on the list.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8): Finding Your Own Apartment

A Housing Choice Voucher is a subsidy that lets you rent from a private landlord instead of living in a PHA building. You find the apartment yourself, the landlord agrees to take a voucher, and PHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent. You pay the rest — usually 30 percent of your income.

The voucher is portable: if you move to another city in Maine or elsewhere, you can take it with you (though you must request a transfer and the new housing authority must have funding). The apartment must pass a PHA inspection for safety and condition before you move in.

Getting a voucher also means joining a waiting list. PHA opens the list periodically, then closes it when it reaches capacity. If the list is closed, you cannot explore until it reopens — PHA announces this on its website and by phone. Once you are on the list and your name is called, you have a set amount of time (usually 60 to 90 days) to find an apartment and have it inspected. If you do not find one in time, you go to the back of the list or are removed.

Income Limits and Who Can Use PHA Programs

Both public housing and vouchers have income limits. The limits change each year and depend on family size. For a single person, the limit is usually around 50 percent of the area median income; for a family of four, it is higher. PHA publishes the current limits on its website or will tell you over the phone.

You must also pass a background check. PHA looks for eviction history, criminal convictions, and drug-related offenses. A record does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions — especially drug manufacturing or violent felonies — may. PHA has discretion to deny you based on the nature and timing of the offense. If you have concerns, ask PHA directly before you explore.

You must be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status. You must provide a Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you are not sure whether you may have access to, call PHA and describe your situation — they can tell you before you spend time on an process.

The process Process and What Documents You Need

Start by contacting Portland Housing Authority directly. You can call, visit in person, or request an process by mail. PHA will tell you whether the waiting list is open and what documents to bring or mail in.

Standard documents include:

  • Photo identification (driver's license, passport, state ID)
  • Proof of income for the past 30 days (pay stubs, benefit letters, tax returns)
  • Social Security card or ITIN documentation
  • Proof of residency in Portland (utility bill, lease, mail from a government agency)
  • Birth certificates or Social Security cards for all household members

If you are self-employed, unemployed, or receiving benefits, bring documentation of that status. If you are explore for a voucher and already have an apartment in mind, bring the lease or a letter from the landlord saying they will accept a voucher.

PHA will review your process, verify your income with employers or benefit agencies, and contact you with next steps. This can take several weeks. Once you are approved and placed on the waiting list, PHA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available.

Rent Calculations and What You Actually Pay

Your rent in a PHA program is based on your income, not the market rate. PHA calculates it as 30 percent of your gross monthly income. If your income is $1,500 per month, your rent is $450. PHA pays the rest of the unit's cost.

Your income is recertified once a year. If your income goes up, your rent goes up. If it goes down, your rent goes down. You must report changes — a new job, a job loss, a household member moving in or out — within 30 days. If you do not report and PHA finds out, you may owe back rent or lose your voucher.

If you live in public housing and your lease is inspected and passes, you can move in. If you have a voucher, the same applies: once the apartment passes inspection, you sign the lease and move in. Your rent payment goes to the landlord; PHA's portion goes directly to the landlord as well.

Contacting Portland Housing Authority and Finding Other Help

Portland Housing Authority's main office is in Portland. You can reach them by phone during business hours to ask about waiting lists, applications, or your status. Their website lists the current phone number, office address, and hours. You can also visit in person to pick up an process or ask questions.

If you need help before you get on a PHA waiting list — for example, you are behind on rent or facing eviction — contact 211 Maine. This is a free referral service that connects you to emergency rental information, rapid rehousing, and other programs run by nonprofits and the city. 211 can also tell you whether PHA's waiting list is open and how the process works.

If you are experiencing homelessness or at when ready risk, contact the Preble Street Resource Center or another homeless services provider in Portland. They can connect you to shelter, case management, and pathways to permanent housing faster than a waiting list.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a public housing apartment or voucher?

There is no set timeline. It depends on how many units or vouchers are available and how many people are ahead of you on the list. Some people wait months; others wait years. PHA can tell you your position on the list if you call, but cannot predict when your name will be called.

Can I explore for both public housing and a voucher at the same time?

Yes. You can be on both waiting lists. If you get a voucher first, you can use it while you wait for public housing, or you can stay on the public housing list and decline the voucher. Tell PHA if your circumstances change so they can update your file.

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

Your rent will increase. PHA recertifies income once a year, and if you earn more, your portion of the rent goes up. You must report income changes within 30 days. If you do not report and PHA finds out, you may owe back rent.

Can I use a voucher to rent anywhere in Portland?

You can rent from any private landlord who agrees to accept a voucher. The apartment must pass a PHA inspection for safety and condition. Some landlords refuse vouchers, so you may need to contact several before you find one who will accept it.

What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?

PHA reviews each case individually. A record does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions — especially drug manufacturing or violent felonies — may. Contact PHA directly and describe your situation. They can tell you whether you are likely to be approved before you spend time on an process.