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MaineHousing Press Releases


LANDLORD INCENTIVE PROGRAM CONTINUES IN 2022

Released: Jan 13, 2022

352 AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS WERE MADE AVAILABLE IN 2021

Today MaineHousing is announcing it will make up to $750,000 in funding from the state Housing Opportunity for Maine (HOME) Fund available to continue its partnership with the state’s public housing authorities for its statewide Landlord Participation Incentive Program.

  The program provides participating landlords with up to a $750 signing bonus for each unit they place in the  Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, which provides rental assistance to income-eligible tenants by paying a portion of their monthly rent and utilities directly to their landlord.

  The incentive program can also provide eligible applicants and landlords funding for security deposits on rental units as well covering the costs of repairs and damages. It is run in partnership with the Maine Association of Public Housing Directors (MAPHD).

  It is estimated that 352 units of affordable housing were made available to HCV tenants because of the program since it was last funded with $380,000 of HCV Program Administrative Fees from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act in September of 2021.

The program also covered the security deposits on 238 units of housing and paid for more than $120,000 in repairs for 70 rental units in 2021.

  “We are grateful to Maine’s Public Housing Authorities for their work and their partnership,” MaineHousing Director Daniel Brennan said. “We all know that landlords are a critical component to providing affordable housing, and these incentive programs have succeeded in helping Maine renters find safe, decent, affordable housing throughout the entire state.”

  The program is meant to encourage private landlords to participate in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Choice Voucher Programs.

  MaineHousing, which is the public housing authority for municipalities in Maine without their own PHA, has successfully run a similar program. Brennan noted that this helps “level the playing field” across the state.

  “This program has been a success from Kittery to Fort Kent and has resulted in more than 300 successful new Housing Choice Voucher lease-ups,” said Jennifer Sweetser, president of the MAPHD and the executive director of the Presque Isle Housing Authority. “The availability of a leasing bonus has attracted new landlords to the program and has incentivized other landlords to notify us when they have vacant units.”

  Sweetser said a key factor in the success of this program it works in all communities in Maine. “Renewal of the program allows housing authorities across the state to overcome barriers, such as lack of units, lack of funds for security deposits, and landlord skepticism of the Housing Choice Voucher program,” Sweetser said. “We have been able to foster relationships with landlords in support of our subsidy programs as a result of these financial incentives.”

  Beyond the $750 signing bonus for landlords who lease a unit to an HCV recipient, grant funds to fix items that fail the federally-required unit inspection standards, and grant funds to help fix damage caused by an HCV recipient are available through the program.

                                                         ###

      MaineHousing has helped Maine people own, rent, repair, and heat their homes since 1969. MaineHousing is an independent state authority created to address the problems of unsafe, unsuitable, overcrowded, and unaffordable housing. MaineHousing is a $2.1 billion financial institution with a staff of over 190 people. MaineHousing assists more than 90,000 Maine households and invests more than $300 million in the Maine economy annually.

  The Maine Association of Public Housing Directors consists of Public Housing Executive Directors throughout the State of Maine. Membership covers twenty local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) from Sanford to Fort Fairfield.


Archived Press Releases

LANDLORD INCENTIVE PROGRAM CONTINUES IN 2022

Released: Jan 13, 2022

352 AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS WERE MADE AVAILABLE IN 2021

Today MaineHousing is announcing it will make up to $750,000 in funding from the state Housing Opportunity for Maine (HOME) Fund available to continue its partnership with the state’s public housing authorities for its statewide Landlord Participation Incentive Program.

  The program provides participating landlords with up to a $750 signing bonus for each unit they place in the  Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, which provides rental assistance to income-eligible tenants by paying a portion of their monthly rent and utilities directly to their landlord.

  The incentive program can also provide eligible applicants and landlords funding for security deposits on rental units as well covering the costs of repairs and damages. It is run in partnership with the Maine Association of Public Housing Directors (MAPHD).

  It is estimated that 352 units of affordable housing were made available to HCV tenants because of the program since it was last funded with $380,000 of HCV Program Administrative Fees from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act in September of 2021.

The program also covered the security deposits on 238 units of housing and paid for more than $120,000 in repairs for 70 rental units in 2021.

  “We are grateful to Maine’s Public Housing Authorities for their work and their partnership,” MaineHousing Director Daniel Brennan said. “We all know that landlords are a critical component to providing affordable housing, and these incentive programs have succeeded in helping Maine renters find safe, decent, affordable housing throughout the entire state.”

  The program is meant to encourage private landlords to participate in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Choice Voucher Programs.

  MaineHousing, which is the public housing authority for municipalities in Maine without their own PHA, has successfully run a similar program. Brennan noted that this helps “level the playing field” across the state.

  “This program has been a success from Kittery to Fort Kent and has resulted in more than 300 successful new Housing Choice Voucher lease-ups,” said Jennifer Sweetser, president of the MAPHD and the executive director of the Presque Isle Housing Authority. “The availability of a leasing bonus has attracted new landlords to the program and has incentivized other landlords to notify us when they have vacant units.”

  Sweetser said a key factor in the success of this program it works in all communities in Maine. “Renewal of the program allows housing authorities across the state to overcome barriers, such as lack of units, lack of funds for security deposits, and landlord skepticism of the Housing Choice Voucher program,” Sweetser said. “We have been able to foster relationships with landlords in support of our subsidy programs as a result of these financial incentives.”

  Beyond the $750 signing bonus for landlords who lease a unit to an HCV recipient, grant funds to fix items that fail the federally-required unit inspection standards, and grant funds to help fix damage caused by an HCV recipient are available through the program.

                                                         ###

      MaineHousing has helped Maine people own, rent, repair, and heat their homes since 1969. MaineHousing is an independent state authority created to address the problems of unsafe, unsuitable, overcrowded, and unaffordable housing. MaineHousing is a $2.1 billion financial institution with a staff of over 190 people. MaineHousing assists more than 90,000 Maine households and invests more than $300 million in the Maine economy annually.

  The Maine Association of Public Housing Directors consists of Public Housing Executive Directors throughout the State of Maine. Membership covers twenty local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) from Sanford to Fort Fairfield.




 MaineHousing Newsletters


2024 Autumn Newsletter
Release Date: November 4, 2024

  • MaineHousing honored with awards from NCSHA and GrowSmart, Eviction Prevention Program Launches, Blueberry Fields Cooperative takes ownership of Linnhaven Mobile Home Center, and more. 


Archived Newsletters

2024 Summer/Fall Newsletter
Release Date: September 3, 2024
  • MaineHousing visits Washington D.C., a new supportive housing development opens in Presque Isle, MaineHousing celebrates homeownership with partners at the Sea Dogs, a new Eviction Prevention Program is set to open this fall, and more. 


2024 Spring/Summer Newsletter
Release Date: May 28, 2024
  • New money assigned to affordable housing by Gov. Mills, Housing Data, 2023 Annual Report now available, Development news, First Gen Program success, and more. 
 
2023 Autumn Newsletter
Release Date:November 21,2023
  • New Rural Affordable Housing Program celebrates first ground breaking, West End II Development opening, New Housing Laws in Maine , First Gen Homeownership Program, Welcome new employees,  and more. 


 2023 Summer Newsletter
Release Date: May 25, 2023
  • Affordable housing developments grand openings & in the works, Homeowner Assistance Fund re-launches at MaineHousing, First Generation Loan Program starts, accolades, accomplishments, dates to remember,  and more. 
 
2022 Autumn Newsletter
Release Date: November 11, 2022
  • MaineHousing's Restart Program honored with an award, new Board of Commissioner appointments, HEAP Funds released early, program updates and more. 
 
012021Newsletter2022 Summer Newsletter
Release Date: August 12, 2022
  • New developments open, staff appointments and staff retirements, printable homes of the future and more. 
 
012021NewsletterJanuary 2021 Newsletter
Release Date:January 29, 2021
  • Rent Relief coming soon, Furman Block development opening, Affordability Indexes, New Homeless Shelters and more! 
 
112020NewsletterNovember 2020 Newsletter
Release Date: November 30th, 2020
  • Rent Relief Program extended, Community Solutions Grantees info, HUD 2021 Annual Action Plan public forum and hearing, Supportive & Affordable Housing workgroup and more! 
 
102020NewsletterOctober 2020 Newsletter
Release Date: October 30th, 2020
  • $500k for new homeowners, national recognition, and more! 
 
092020NewsletterSeptember 2020 Newsletter
Release Date: September 30th, 2020
  • COVID-19 Rent Relief Program winds down, Fair Market Rent comments, MaineHousing awarded ESG funding from the CARES Act, and more. 
 
082020NewsletterAugust 2020 Newsletter
Release Date: August 28th, 2020
  • Our lowest interest rate ever, COVID-19 Expanded Rent Relief Program launched, changing Maine's approach to homeless services and more. 
 
062020NewsletterJune 2020 Newsletter
Release Date: June 29th, 2020
  • The importance of home, additional HEAP funds received and more.
 
052020NewsletterMay 2020 Newsletter
Release Date: May 26th,  2020
  • We're moving next month.
 
042020NewsletterApril 2020 Newsletter
  • Release Date: April 17th, 2020
  • Over the last month, MaineHousing has shifted into high gear to respond to Mainers’ critical housing needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re proud to serve Maine by supporting homeless shelters, funding temporary shelters across Maine, and helping Maine renters who are struggling to pay their landlords because of loss of income or other COVID-19 related problems. 
 
032020NewsletterMarch 2020 Newsletter
Release Date: March 24th, 2020
  • The health and safety of our employees, their families and friends, and our partners and colleagues is foremost in our minds as we all respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.e.
 
February 2020 Newsletter IconFebruary 2020 Newsletter
Release Date: February 27th, 2020
  • Census 2020, MaineHousing's Annual Accomplishments, New Landlord program, and more.
 
January 2020 Newsletter IconJanuary 2020 Newsletter
Release Date: January 27th, 2020
  • MaineHousing Announces Senior Housing Bond Awards, Annual Discretionary Funding Allocations awarded, Census 2020 and more.
 
December 2019 Newsletter IconDecember 2019 Newsletter
Release Date: December 20th, 2019
  • Low Income Tax Credits awarded, Perceptions of Housing in Maine report released, Building Family Futures Program moves from pilot to full time program status and more.
 
November 2019 Newsletter IconNovember 2019 Newsletter
Release Date: November 26th, 2019
  • MaineHousing receives two community partner awards, Heat Pump Program and Community Solutions Program launched, Maine designated an age friendly state and more.
 




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