Eviction Prevention Program

This new, eviction prevention program is meant to help tenants who may be facing an eviction and the loss of their housing. The program, which is funded with a one-time, $18 million allocation from the State of Maine earlier this year. The program will be administered under a contract with MaineHousing by the Quality Housing Coalition (QHC) of Portland.

Applications will be processed according to the following priorities: 

• Eligible households who have received a forcible entry and detainer notice/summons from a court-ordered eviction notice for non-payment of rent, and

• Eligible households who have received a notice to quit. 

Once applications are complete, they will be processed on a first-come first-served basis. 

Step1

The law states eligibility for this program is limited to households earning less than 60 percent of the local area median income and paying no more than 125% of fair market rents for the area in which they live. Households may not have a federal housing voucher or live in subsidized housing.

Income Limits

60% Area Median Income Limits

To qualify for the Eviction Prevention Program, your household annual income must be strictly lower than the amount indicated for your household size and location on the chart below.

Rent Limits

125% Fair Market Value Rent Limits

These values are based on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) proposed Fair Market Rent (FMR) limits for the coming fiscal year and are therefore subject to change prior to October 1st, 2024, when those FMRs become official. To qualify for the Eviction Prevention Program, the amount of your monthly rent payment must be equal to or less than the amount listed for your household size and location in the chart below.

Step2

This program will begin taking applications on October 21, 2024 at 10 a.m.

Applications for the Eviction Prevention Program are handled by Quality Housing Coalition (QHC). You can apply online, by phone, or in person with an appointment using the contact info below. 

You can download the paper application here and the additional info document here. 

Step 3

Documentation you will need to provide

You will need to provide copies of certain documents to apply.

• Identity Documentation (for example Maine driver's license, Maine identification card, or a Passport.

• Proof of present address and monthly rent amount (for example, rent receipt, lease, deed, or property tax bill).

• Proof of the most current gross household income. (Household income includes, but is not limited to: wages, social security, unemployment, pension, and disability payments.)

• Proof of past due rent (for example past due notices or eviction notices)

• Your application will not be processed until all of the requested documentation is provided.

Application Follow Up

After your application and documentation has been submitted QHC will review your application to determine if you are eligible for a benefit.  Your landlord will be contacted and asked to provide documentation as well.  Benefit payments will be paid directly to the landlord. 

If you applied online and created an account, you may view the status of your application at any time by logging into the portal.

Additional Resources

Tenants' Rights and Obligations

For information on tenants’ rights and obligations under Maine law, see The Rights of Tenants in Maine, an easy-to-read handbook published by Pine Tree Legal Assistance, or The Maine Attorney General’s Consumer Law Guide.

MORE INFO

For more information about the Eviction Prevention Program please refer to the contact information below:

Any individual may report to MaineHousing suspected errors and program abuse related to programs:

By telephone: 1-800-452-4668 or (207) 626-4600

In writing:

MaineHousing, ATTN: Eviction Prevention Errors and Program Abuse, 26 Edison Drive, Augusta, ME 04333

By email:  

Tenant Requirements

• Complete program application and attestation

• Valid, current identification

• Signed lease or rental agreement

• Documentation supporting household income

• Documentation showing past due rent owed (I.e, ledger or communication to the tenant with past due amounts)

• Copy of court ordered eviction notice

Apply Online

You can apply for the Eviction Prevention Program directly online.

Apply Online Now

Apply By Phone or In-Person

To apply by phone, or with an appointment in-person contact:

Quality Housing Coalition

PO Box 4015, Portland, ME 04101

 (207) 274-1240

evictionprevention@qualityhousingcoalition.org

For more information about the Eviction Prevention Program please refer to the contact information below:

Any individual may report to MaineHousing suspected errors and program abuse related to programs:

By telephone: 1-800-452-4668 or (207) 626-4600

In writing: MaineHousing, ATTN: Eviction Prevention Errors and Program Abuse, 26 Edison Drive, Augusta, ME 04333

By email:  

• Complete program application and attestation

• Valid, current identification

• Signed lease or rental agreement

• Documentation supporting household income

• Documentation showing past due rent owed (I.e, ledger or communication to the tenant with past due amounts)

• Copy of court ordered eviction notice
  

Apply Online

You can apply for the Eviction Prevention Program directly online.

Apply Online Now

Apply By Phone or In-Person

To apply by phone, or with an appointment in-person contact:

Quality Housing Coalition

PO Box 4015, Portland, ME 04101

(207) 274-1240

 evictionprevention@qualityhousingcoalition.org