NEW RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM NOW OFFICIALLY OPEN FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS;
ACAP AND MAINEHOUSING SEE HIGH VOLUME OF APPLICANTS WITH MARCH 1ST LAUNCH
The March 1st launch of the new Emergency Rental Assistance Program for Maine renters affected by COVID-19 was met with a high volume of applicants in Aroostook County on it’s opening day. Officials with Aroostook County Action Program, which is administering the program in northernmost Maine, and MaineHousing, which is overseeing the statewide effort, are asking applicants for their patience and understanding as staff process the growing number of applications in the coming days and weeks as more County residents learn about the program.
“This is a much needed resource for County residents who have been economically impacted by the ongoing pandemic, and we are pleased to again partner with MaineHousing to bring relief to anxious and vulnerable community members,” said Jason Parent, CEO of ACAP. “We fully intend to process and follow-up on all of the applications, in the order we receive them. We appreciate the understanding of those who apply that it may take several days for the initial communication from us on your application, but we promise we will be in touch.”
The program is funded by the federal COVID-19 stimulus package passed by Congress in December, which provides $200 million in rental assistance funding to Maine. The U.S. Treasury Department released new guidance for the program on February 22, 2021. ACAP and other Community Action Agencies across Maine have added staff to manage the program through February.
“We have been working with the Community Action Agencies every day to craft a program to meet federal guidelines, but more importantly the needs of Mainers,” said Daniel Brennan, director of MaineHousing. “We are eager to get these funds to those who need it. As with every new system that agencies, businesses, and organizations are creating to deal with COVID-19, we are doing our best to incorporate lessons learned and customer feedback. This has been a huge lift, and we’re honored to do it.”
Program updates include a number of changes from previous rental relief programs, including the ability for applicants to apply for rent and utilities owed back to March 13, 2020 and three months of rent in advance of the application date. People living in subsidized housing may also qualify.
Applicants must meet all the following criteria:
- Be at or below a certain income, which varies depending on location and household size. (Income guidelines can be found on the mainehousing.com/covidrent website)
- Have had their income reduced, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardships because of COVID-19 OR qualified for unemployment benefits between March 13, 2020 and the date they apply.
- Must show they are at risk for becoming homeless or that they might lose their housing. This may include borrowing money to pay rent or utilities, being behind on rent or utilities, or receiving an eviction notice.
Tenants and landlords should communicate about the program, as both parties will need to submit and sign documentation.
The new program offers several advantages, including a significant, dedicated funding source. Rather than a monthly rental assistance program, the funding allowed MaineHousing and Maine’s Community Action Agencies to design a program that can last for up to 15 months depending on an applicant’s needs. This more predictable program eliminates the need for tenants to apply monthly or keep track of changing program requirements. The program also offers housing stability services for those at risk of losing their housing.
Several additional program updates, along with the on-line application and instructions can be found at: www.mainehousing.org/covidrent. If someone needs a paper application, assistance completing an application on-line, or has application-specific questions, they should call ACAP at 207-764-3721. General questions about the program can be directed to MaineHousing at 1-800-452-4668.
