AARP Maine Housing Policy Frameworks and Resources for Maine

AARP Maine Housing Policy Frameworks

AARP has been advocating for all our communities to be great places for people of all ages since our founding over 60 years ago. We know that housing is central to community and individual well-being. AARP Maine is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all as we age. To create communities that are great places for all of its residents AARP works to create what we call Livable Communities. A livable community contains a range of accessible, affordable, and safe housing options. This ensures that residents of all backgrounds, incomes, and abilities can find appropriate and affordable housing. It allows people to remain in their communities as their needs change. Nationwide AARP supports policies that fall under the below framework.

We support policies that:

· Secure Affordability

· Ensure Equity

· Prioritize Accessibility

· Promote Housing Stability

· Ensure Health and Safety

· Foster service delivery in housing

· Past Policies Supported by AARP Maine.

During the 130th legislative session, AARP Maine was instrumental in passing groundbreaking legislations that addressed zoning and land use. Broadly this bill, commonly referred to as LD 2003, allows Mainers to build Accessory Dwelling Units on their properties. AARP supports policy that allows for the construction of “missing middle housing” units to ensure that people of all incomes and ability levels can afford to live in a community.

In the first half of the 131^st legislative session, we advocated for funding to build affordable housing. This included advocating for the $70 million in the state budget to build more affordable housing in Maine for workers and their families through the Rural Affordable Rental Housing Program.

AARP Maine also advocated for LD 709, a 2-year pilot established at MaineHousing to develop a home share pilot program, to match older persons who own homes with spare rooms to adults in need of affordable housing.

Resources

It is important to note that Maine is in an affordable housing crisis and many Mainers are struggling to afford the costs of their homes. For Mainers looking for resources please do visit any of the below for more information.

Contact Maine Housing:

26 Edison Drive, Augusta Maine 04330
https://www.mainehousing.org/programs-services

Phone # (207) 626-4600
Toll Free #: (800) 452-4668
TTY #: Maine Relay 711
Fax #: (207) 626-4678


Specific program information is available:

• Rental Information

MaineHousing has oversight over a small portion of rental housing in Maine, but those without rental assistance do not fall under our authority. If you are having a hard time paying your rent due to the coronavirus, talk with your landlord about other payment options. For general information about rental laws including leases and evictions the Maine Attorney General’s Office may be able to help. You may also contact Pine Tree Legal if you are facing an eviction or have issues with your landlord.

To apply for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher please visit the online application .

For more information on Subsidized or Affordable Apartments, please contact a Housing Referral Specialist in MaineHousing's Housing Choice Voucher Department. Please note that MaineHousing will never tell you your place in the centralized Section 8 waitlist.

(866) 357-4853 Toll-Free (in-state only) | (207) 624-5789

• Energy Assistance Information

Applications for Energy Assistance and Home Repair Programs are taken by your local Community Action Agency (CAA). You can find your local CAA here .

For more general information on energy assistance:

(877) 544-3271

• Home Repair Information

Applications for Energy Assistance and Home Repair Programs are taken by your local Community Action Agency (CAA). You can find your local CAA here .

 

• Mortgages/First Time Homebuyer Information

MaineHousing provides low fixed rate mortgages to people who have not owned homes in the last three years.

For more information about obtaining a First Home Loan please contact a MaineHousing Lender in your area .

For more general information contact our Homeownership Department:

(207) 626-4663

• Homeless Information

If you are homeless or may become homeless, you can find a list of shelters in your area here .

General assistance at the State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services may also be able to help you. Find a list of DHHS offices and contact information here

• Other helpful programs:

· Homebuyer Programs
MaineHousing provides low fixed rate mortgages and other assistance to help make homeownership affordable for more Maine people. No point and low point options are available. There are options with little or no down payment required, though if you still need help with the cash needed for closing, we also offer down payment and closing cost assistance. MaineHousing mortgages even come with payment protection for unemployment.


· Home Improvement & Repair Assistance
MaineHousing offers programs to help with your home improvement and repair needs. The Home Repair Program provides no cost or low cost loans to repair or replace failed wells, make heating, electrical, or structural repairs, and improve home accessibility. MaineHousing also offers programs to make your home lead safe, or fund repairs if your home has been damaged in a declared natural disaster.


· Rental Assistance
Rental housing costs are increasingly out of reach for many lower and moderate income Maine people. Rental assistance, either in the form of housing choice vouchers, subsidized apartments or affordable rental housing can help. Vouchers can help pay your rent in the apartment of your choice. Subsidized apartments provide qualified tenants below-market rents. Waiting lists can be long, so you may want to apply for both kinds of help.


· Energy & Heating Assistance
If you cannot afford to heat your home, pay electric bills, or would benefit from energy improvements such as new insulation, a new heating system, or energy efficient appliances, help may be available from MaineHousing programs. Lower income households may qualify for heating assistance and energy improvements at no cost to them.


· Homeless Assistance
If you are homeless and need emergency shelter, or need transitional or subsidized housing to get back on your feet, MaineHousing may be able to help. We finance emergency shelters and other affordable housing options, and can help you locate this housing. We also provide rental assistance to people who are homeless and working toward self-sufficiency. MaineHousing and its partners are working to end homelessness in Maine.


· Housing Development & Construction Services
MaineHousing offers several programs to encourage private development of affordable rental housing for families, seniors and persons with special needs. Developers are required to ensure that housing developed with MaineHousing financing remains affordable. Construction Services provides technical assistance on MaineHousing development projects.