What the Portland Housing Authority does

The Portland Housing Authority (PHA) is a public agency that owns and operates affordable rental housing in Portland, Maine. It manages public housing units, administers the Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly called Section 8), and runs other affordable housing programs. The Authority answers to a board of commissioners and operates under federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rules.

The PHA does not build new housing or set citywide housing policy — that is the city's role. The Authority manages specific properties and programs it owns or administers, and it processes applications from people seeking to rent those units or receive vouchers. If you are looking for housing in Portland, the PHA is one source among many; if you already live in a PHA property or hold a PHA voucher, the Authority is your landlord or the agency managing your subsidy.

Key Takeaways

  • The Portland Housing Authority manages public housing units and Housing Choice Vouchers, but does not control all affordable housing in Portland.
  • To rent a PHA unit, you must meet income limits, pass a background check, and be added to a waiting list that may be closed or have a long wait.
  • Housing Choice Vouchers let you rent from a private landlord and pay a portion of the rent while the voucher covers the rest, but voucher waiting lists are often years long.
  • The PHA's main office is located in Portland and handles applications, lease questions, and maintenance requests for its properties.
  • If you have a complaint about a PHA property or decision, you can file a grievance through the Authority's formal process.

Public housing units managed by the Portland Housing Authority

The PHA owns and operates apartment buildings throughout Portland. These are public housing units — the Authority is the landlord, and you pay rent based on your income (usually 30 percent of your gross monthly income). The units are reserved for households below certain income thresholds, which change yearly and depend on family size.

To rent a public housing unit, you must submit an process to the PHA. The process asks for proof of income, identification, rental history, and permission to run a background check. The PHA will verify your income and check your credit and criminal history. If you meet the requirements, your name goes on a waiting list. Many PHA waiting lists are closed to new applications, and even when open, waits can be several years depending on the property and unit size you need.

Once you are approved and a unit becomes available, the PHA will offer it to you. You sign a lease with the Authority as your landlord. The lease covers your rights and responsibilities — for example, what maintenance the PHA must provide, what you must do to keep the unit in good condition, and what happens if you violate lease terms.

Housing Choice Vouchers and how they work

The Housing Choice Voucher program is different from public housing. Instead of renting a unit the PHA owns, you find a rental property on the private market and the voucher pays part of your rent. You pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent (usually 30 percent of your income, whichever is less). The landlord receives the voucher payment directly from the PHA.

To receive a voucher, you must explore to the PHA and meet the same income and background requirements as public housing applicants. The voucher waiting list is typically very long — in many cases, years. Some voucher programs have preferences for people experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence, which can move you higher on the list.

Once you hold a voucher, you search for a rental property that meets PHA standards (the unit must pass a housing quality inspection and the rent cannot exceed the voucher's payment standard for that area). You negotiate a lease with the landlord, and the PHA adds its name to the lease as the voucher holder. The voucher is portable — if you move to another area where the PHA has a voucher program, you may be able to transfer it.

Income limits and who can rent from the PHA

The PHA sets income limits based on federal guidelines. These limits are tied to the area median income for the Portland region and vary by household size. For example, a single person might have a different limit than a family of four. The limits change each year, usually in April.

You must provide proof of income when you explore — recent pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters, or other documents showing what you earn. If you are unemployed, you may still be considered; the PHA will ask about job search efforts or other circumstances. If your income exceeds the limit at the time you explore, you will not be added to the waiting list. If your income rises after you move into a PHA unit, you may be required to pay more rent or eventually move out, depending on the program rules.

The PHA also considers criminal history, rental history, and credit. A felony conviction does not automatically disqualify you, but certain crimes (particularly drug-related offenses or crimes of violence) may. If you have an eviction on your record, the PHA may deny your process or place conditions on your lease.

How to contact the Portland Housing Authority

The PHA's main office is in Portland. You can reach them by phone, mail, or in person to ask about waiting lists, submit an process, report a maintenance problem, or ask questions about your lease. The office hours and phone number are available on the PHA's website.

If you are already a resident or voucher holder and have a maintenance issue, you can submit a work order through the PHA's system. Emergency repairs (no heat, broken pipes, electrical hazards) should be reported when ready by phone. Non-emergency repairs are usually handled within a set timeframe, often 14 to 30 days depending on the issue.

Grievances and disputes with the Portland Housing Authority

If you disagree with a PHA decision — such as a denial of your process, a lease violation notice, or a dispute over maintenance — you have the right to file a grievance. The PHA has a formal grievance process that is outlined in your lease or in materials given to applicants. A grievance is a written request for the PHA to reconsider its decision.

The process typically begins with an informal meeting where you and the PHA try to resolve the issue. If that does not work, you can request a formal hearing before a hearing officer who is not part of the PHA's management. You can bring documents, witnesses, and representation to the hearing. The hearing officer will make a decision, which the PHA must follow.

If you believe the PHA has violated federal housing law or your rights as a tenant, you can also file a complaint with HUD. HUD investigates complaints about public housing agencies and can order the PHA to correct violations.

Waiting lists and how long they take

The PHA maintains separate waiting lists for public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers. Both lists are often closed, meaning the PHA is not accepting new applications because the list is already very long. When a list is open, new applicants are added in the order their applications are received (unless preferences explore, such as for people experiencing homelessness).

Wait times vary widely. Public housing waiting lists in Portland may be several years long for some unit sizes and much shorter for others. Voucher waiting lists are typically longer — in some cases, five years or more. The PHA publishes information about whether lists are open and approximate wait times on its website or by phone.

While you are on a waiting list, your circumstances may change — your income may rise, you may move out of Portland, or your housing needs may shift. You can update your process or remove yourself from the list at any time. Some PHA programs allow you to stay on the list even if your income temporarily exceeds the limit, but rules vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if the Portland Housing Authority's waiting list is open?

Call the PHA's main office or check their website. The office staff can tell you whether applications are being accepted for public housing or vouchers, and they can give you an estimate of how long the wait is. Lists open and close based on how many people are waiting, so it is worth checking periodically if you are interested.

What happens if I get a job and my income goes above the limit?

If you are already living in a PHA unit, your rent will increase as your income rises — usually to 30 percent of your gross income. You will not be evicted when ready. However, if your income stays above the limit for a certain period (often one to two years), the PHA may ask you to move out. Rules vary by program, so ask your lease manager what applies to you.

Can I use a Housing Choice Voucher to rent anywhere in Portland?

No. The unit must pass a PHA housing quality inspection, meaning it meets safety and livability standards. The rent also cannot exceed the voucher payment standard for that area. You work with the PHA to find an acceptable unit, and the landlord must agree to accept the voucher. Not all landlords participate in the program.

What if I disagree with the PHA's decision to deny my process?

You can request an informal meeting with the PHA to discuss why you were denied. If you still disagree, you can request a formal hearing. Bring any documents that support your case — proof of income, letters from employers, or evidence that information in your process was incorrect. A hearing officer will review the case and make a decision.

Does the Portland Housing Authority help people find housing outside of its own programs?

The PHA's main role is to manage its own properties and vouchers. For broader housing search help, contact the city of Portland's housing office, local nonprofits like Community Housing of Maine, or 211 Maine, which refers people to housing resources throughout the state.