Maine renters facing eviction may have fewer options if state lawmakers fail to renew the state's eviction prevention program during ongoing budget negotiations. Advocates and tenants testified before the Maine Legislature urging continuation of the program, which has helped thousands of low-income households avoid displacement since its creation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether the program survives depends on budget decisions still being debated — but renters don't have to wait passively for the outcome.

What Maine's Eviction Prevention Program Has Covered

Maine's eviction prevention program has provided short-term rental assistance and legal support to households at risk of losing their housing. Administered through the Maine State Housing Authority (MaineHousing), the program has historically targeted households earning at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) — a threshold that aligns with federal low-income housing definitions — though specific income limits have varied by funding round.

The program has covered: - Arrears payments (back rent owed to landlords) - Forward rent for a limited number of months - Case management to help households stabilize - Legal assistance for tenants facing eviction proceedings

Because this program is state-funded, its continuation depends entirely on the Maine Legislature's appropriations process. Advocates at Maine Equal Justice and Pine Tree Legal Assistance have publicly called on lawmakers to renew the funding, citing ongoing housing instability among low-wage workers, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Why the Budget Fight Matters for Renters Right Now

State eviction prevention programs don't operate in isolation. When state funding lapses, the gap rarely gets filled quickly — and households in the middle of an eviction case or already behind on rent are the ones who bear the cost of that delay.

For Maine renters, the practical risk is this: if the program is not renewed before the current funding is exhausted, new applications may be paused or closed entirely. That makes timing critical. Renters who believe they may be eligible should take steps now, not after a funding decision is announced.

What Renters Should Do Immediately

1. Contact MaineHousing directly. Visit mainehousing.org or call 1-800-452-4668 to ask about current program status, whether applications are open, and what documentation is required. Program staff can confirm whether funding is still available and what the current income thresholds are.

2. Gather required documents in advance. Most rental assistance programs — state or federal — require the following: - Government-issued photo ID - Current lease or rental agreement - Proof of income for all household members (pay stubs, benefit award letters, tax returns) - Documentation of financial hardship (layoff notice, medical bills, reduced hours) - Eviction notice or court summons, if applicable - Landlord contact information and bank details (for direct payment)

Having these documents ready before an application window opens can mean the difference between being processed in time or missing a funding cutoff.

3. Apply to parallel federal programs simultaneously. Do not rely on a single program. Maine renters may also be eligible for assistance through:

  • HUD Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG): Administered locally through community action agencies and homeless service providers, ESG funds can cover short-term rental assistance and eviction prevention for households at or below 30% of AMI, with some programs extending to 50% of AMI depending on local allocation.
  • Community Action Agencies: Organizations like Penquis, Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP), and Opportunity Alliance administer federal and state funds locally. Search for your nearest agency through Maine's 211 system (dial 2-1-1).
  • HUD's Continuum of Care (CoC) network: CoC-funded programs prioritize households experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness. Contact your local CoC coordinator through HUD's resource locator at hud.gov.

Federal Rental Assistance: What's Still Available Nationally

The federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), which distributed over $46 billion nationally during the pandemic, has largely wound down. However, several federal funding streams remain active:

HUD Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) States and localities can use CDBG funds for rental assistance, though this is discretionary and varies significantly by municipality. Contact your city or county housing office to ask whether CDBG-funded rental help is available in your area.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program — commonly called Section 8 — provides long-term rental subsidies for households typically earning at or below 50% of AMI, with priority often given to those at or below 30% of AMI. Benefit amounts vary by household size and income.

Critical caveat: HCV waitlists in Maine and across the country are often closed or years long. The Portland Housing Authority, for example, has historically maintained waitlists of several years. Apply anyway — being on a waitlist is better than not being on one — and ask to be placed on multiple local Public Housing Authority (PHA) waitlists if you are willing to relocate within the state.

LIHEAP Energy Assistance While not rental assistance, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can free up household income by covering heating and utility costs. In Maine, LIHEAP is administered through community action agencies and targets households at or below 60% of the State Median Income. Reducing utility burden may help households catch up on rent.

Tenant Rights During Eviction Proceedings in Maine

Even without active rental assistance funding, Maine tenants have legal protections during the eviction process. Under Maine law:

  • Landlords must provide written notice before filing for eviction (typically 7 days for nonpayment of rent).
  • Tenants have the right to appear in court and present a defense.
  • Free legal aid may be available through Pine Tree Legal Assistance (ptla.org) for income-eligible tenants.

If you have received an eviction notice, contact Pine Tree Legal Assistance immediately. Legal representation — even a single consultation — can significantly affect outcomes in eviction cases.

The Bigger Policy Picture

Maine's budget debate reflects a national pattern: pandemic-era rental assistance programs are expiring, federal replacement funding has not materialized at scale, and state legislatures are making difficult choices about whether to sustain these programs with general fund dollars. Advocacy organizations argue that every dollar spent on eviction prevention saves multiples in emergency shelter, healthcare, and social service costs downstream.

For renters, the policy debate is real but secondary to the immediate question: what programs may be available to me right now, and how do I access them? The answer is to move quickly, apply broadly, and document everything.

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Program eligibility and availability vary by state. Not affiliated with any government agency.

Last reviewed: May 2026