Fair Housing & MaineHousing

General Fair Housing Information

Federal and state laws give you a right to fair housing. This means you have the right to be free from discrimination in the sale, rental, advertising or financing of housing. Discrimination means any action, omission or decision that results in restricting your choice of housing and access to housing assistance.

Learn more about state fair housing and equal access laws from the Maine Human Rights Commission . They are the state agency responsible for enforcing Maine’s fair housing laws.
Learn more about federal fair housing and equal access laws from the Office of Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity at the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. They are the federal agency responsible for enforcing federal fair housing laws.

Disability Rights

Federal and state laws provide certain rights and protections for persons with disabilities, including persons with mental and physical disabilities. This means you cannot be discriminated against because of your disability. The laws also require housing providers to make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities in policies, procedures and programs and allow reasonable changes so that persons with disabilities can fully enjoy their housing and related facilities. Additionally, multifamily housing must be designed and constructed to comply with certain accessibility standards.

Learn more about Maine’s disability rights laws and accessibility standards from the Maine Human Rights Commission .
Learn more about federal disability rights laws and accessibility standards.

Federal Fair Housing Act relating to all housing and programs
Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 relating to federally-assisted housing and programs
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 relating to federally-assisted housing and programs
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the U.S. Department of Justice’s ADA and a list of ADA publications
- Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 relating to programs, services and activities provided or made possible by State and local governments – summary of Title II requirements .
- Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 relating to public accommodations – for a summary of Title III requirements .
Learn more about reasonable accommodations
For more information and resources:
- For consumer guides to disability rights laws prepared by the United States Department of Justice and prepared by Disability Rights Center of Maine .
- For the Federal government’s website on disability-related information and resources
- For the State’s website on disability-related information and resources
- For Access Maine’s website
- For Disability Rights Center of Maine’s website

Limited English Proficiency

Federal law requires organizations that get federal funds to make reasonable efforts to give translation help to people who do not speak or read English well. This helps make sure people who don’t speak or read English well can get what they need from programs and services. This is for people who do not speak English as their primary language. It also is for people who do not speak, read, write or understand English well.

Learn more about Federal LEP requirements

To File a Complaint

Learn more about the State’s fair housing complaint process
Learn more about HUD’s fair housing complaint process
Learn more about the ADA Title II complaint process for discrimination against persons with disabilities relating to State and local government services and assistance, see the complaint form .

Advocacy Groups and Legal Resources

Pine Tree Legal Assistance
- Augusta, 39 Green Street, Suite 7436
  Tel: 207-622-4731 or 207-623-7777 or 207-623-7770 (TTY)
- Bangor, 115 Main Street, Suite 2
  Tel: 207-942-8241 or 207-942-1060 (TTY)
- Lewiston, 95 Park Street, Suite 301
  Tel: 207-784-1558
- Machias, 13 Cooper Street
  Tel: 207-255-8656 or 207-255-6179 (TTY)
- Portland, 88 Federal Street
  Tel: 207-774-8211 or 207-828-2308 (TTY)
- Presque Isle, 373 Main Street
  Tel: 207-764-4349 or 207-764-2453 (TTY)
- Farmworker & Native American Units - Bangor
  Tel: 207-942-0673
- Multi-lingual Language Line
  Tel: 207-774-8211
Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project
Tel: 1-207-573-1172 for Aroostook, Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo and Washington Counties
Tel: 1-207-544-4886 for all other Maine Counties

Maine Equal Justice Project
Tel: 207-626-7058
Disability Rights Center
Statewide Hotline, Tel. 1-800-452-1948 (V/TTY)
For information about other advocacy groups in Maine

Fair Housing Training for Partners
MaineHousing is offering a free Understanding of Fair Housing training program. This program is on demand and self-paced. It is available through our online learning portal.

Training Registration

MaineHousing Nondiscrimination Policy

Maine State Housing Authority (" MaineHousing") does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, familial status, or receipt of public assistance in the admission or access to, or treatment in, its programs and activities. In employment, MaineHousing does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, or genetic information. MaineHousing will provide appropriate communication auxiliary aids and services upon sufficient notice. MaineHousing will also provide this document in alternative formats upon sufficient notice. MaineHousing has designated the following person responsible for coordinating compliance with applicable federal and state nondiscrimination requirements and addressing grievances: Kelley Stonebraker, Maine State Housing Authority, 26 Edison Drive, Augusta, Maine 04330, Telephone Number 1-800-452-4668 (voice in state only), (207) 626-4600 (voice), or Maine Relay 711, Email [email protected].