Each year, MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority) makes housing more affordable to Maine families. In 2006, more than 90,000 Maine households enjoyed the benefits of MaineHousing programs and services – about 16% of households statewide.
MaineHousing’s first time homebuyer program makes homeownership a reality for low and moderate income buyers by offering low interest rates (generally 1% or more below market rates) and downpayment and closing cost assistance to qualified buyers. In 2006:
- 1,094 loans were made to first time buyers (average interest rate of 5.21%).
- 44% received downpayment and closing cost assistance (average benefit of $3,562).
- 154 homebuyers received downpayment or gap financing through the Maine American Dream Initiative.
- 2,550 consumers received homebuyer education.
MaineHousing’s first time home loan portfolio includes mortgages for 12,000 Maine households.
Using federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits and other funding, MaineHousing financed development of new affordable rental housing for working families, seniors, people who are homeless, and persons with special needs. In 2006, completed MaineHousing financed developments included:
- 232 units in 8 family developments.
- 192 units in 3 senior developments.
- 108 units in 18 supportive housing developments or developments for people who are homeless or have special needs.
- 26 affordable homes in 4 subdivisions are in line for financing under the new affordable housing subdivision program.
The pipeline of funded housing projects includes 22 family developments (667 units); 3 senior developments (192 units); and 28 supportive developments (162 units).
MaineHousing’s Asset Management program ensures continued affordability of subsidized apartments, and provides Housing Choice Vouchers to enable low income renters to afford market rate units. In 2006:
- 17,171 rental units were maintained in 783 projects.
- 3,675 Housing Choice Vouchers were provided to 3,675 households a month.
- 6 projects were refinanced, resulting in 34 more years of unit affordability.
MaineHousing’s Maine Home Repair Network provides very low interest rate loans and grants to income-eligible households. In 2006:
- 235 homes were repaired, including 102 very low interest home repair loans, 31 home retrofits for persons with disabilities, and 86 elderly hardship grants.
- 22 homes that were beyond repair were replaced.
Since 2001, MaineHousing has repaired homes for 956 households. Overall, more than 4,900 households have benefited from MaineHousing-financed improvements.
MaineHousing’s Lead Hazard Control Program provides 0% deferred, forgivable loans to assist eligible homeowners and landlords to make more homes lead safe. In 2006:
- 58 homes were made lead safe.
- 63 contractors were trained in lead safe building practices.
Since beginning the program, MaineHousing has provided funding to make 523 homes lead safe, and has trained about 900 contractors, who in turn can help make additional homes lead safe.
MaineHousing’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low income families pay for heat to stay safe and warm through the winter months. During the 2005-06 heating season:
- 49,409 households were assisted with an average fuel benefit of $678.
- 3,833 households received emergency fuel assistance.
During the 2006-07 winter MaineHousing anticipates providing fuel assistance to 48,600 households with an average benefit of $588, and providing 5,000 households with emergency fuel.
MaineHousing’s Weatherization and Appliance Replacement Programs invest in energy efficiency to reduce home heating and utility costs and make homes more affordable. For the latest program year:
- 841 homes were weatherized with Department of Energy funds; 1,200 homes weatherized or had furnaces replaced/repaired with Health and Human Services funds (some homes received both DOE and HHS funding).
- 3,100 old and inefficient appliances were replaced, saving an estimated 17% of electric use in a typical home.
Since beginning the appliance replacement program in 2002, MaineHousing has replaced appliances in over 5,000 homes. Over the last decade MaineHousing has provided weatherization and efficiency improvements in more than 14,000 homes.
MaineHousing finances emergency shelters, works to end homelessness through its Rental Assistance Coupon Plus (RAC+) Program, and finances the development of supportive housing. In 2006:
- 243,600 bednights of housing for people who are homeless were provided by 40 shelters that receive MaineHousing funds.
- 214 households that were formerly homeless received rental assistance.
The RAC+ program has provided assistance to 611 households since the program pilot began in 2002.
In addition, MaineHousing completed:
- 61 new units of permanent supportive housing for households that had been homeless, including 21 units serving people who were chronically homeless.
- 10 new units of transitional supportive housing serving people who were homeless.
Over time, MaineHousing has financed development of more than 250 units of permanent supportive housing and over 200 units of transitional housing units for households who were homeless.
$13 million in competitive federal grants was secured in 2005-06, including:
- $8.8 million in 2005 for Maine’s Continuum of Care program to benefit people who are homeless.
- $3 million to reduce lead paint hazards in 280 homes over three years.
- $1.1 million in REACH (Residential Energy Assistance Challenge) grants to test solar heating and wind energy systems in Maine homes over three years.
The RAC+ program has provided assistance to 611 households since the program pilot began in 2002.
These funds, together with other federal funds, such as Mortgage Revenue Bonds, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, LIHEAP, and others, enabled MaineHousing to invest about $270 million to make housing more affordable for Maine’s people in 2006.