Please note that the Emergency Rent Relief Program for York County is now closed and is no longer accepting applications.
If you wish to seek alternative non-rent related resources, you may call a YCCAC Outreach Worker at (207) 324-5762, option 8 or 2-1-1. Additional housing information can be found at https://www.mainehousing.org/programs-services/rental.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2022
IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT MAINE HOUSING RENTAL RELIEF ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Effective at 5pm September 29, 2022, MaineHousing has paused all community action agencies, including YCCAC, from taking any applications (new or subsequent) for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. If you have previously submitted an application to this program it will be processed and a determination of any benefit amount for eligible applicants will be based on the funding available at the time of processing.
If you would like to explore supportive resources, please contact YCCAC’s Outreach Department at 324-5762 ext. 8, your local General Assistance Office, or 2-1-1.
HOTELS ONLY: If someone applied in September, they may be eligible for September, October, and November hotel payments as long as the money is available and they have available units to use.
JUNE 1, 2022 Emergency Rental Assistance Program Maine’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program provides rental and utility relief payments to help eligible renters. Maine’s Community Action Agencies will review applications, check eligibility, and process payments for eligible expenses on behalf of households.
JULY 29, 2021 MaineHousing Announces Expanded Emergency Rental Assistance Program Eligibility Today, MaineHousing announced expanded eligibility for the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, increasing both the potential number of Maine people who can receive help paying their rent and utilities and the number of months they may receive assistance.READ MORE
MAY 12, 2021 EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM—MAY 2021
Having trouble paying rent or utilities? The Emergency Rental Assistance Program could help! This program helps eligible Maine renters. One application could cover rent you owe back to March 2020, three months of future rent, and some unpaid and current utility bills.
Learn more: www.mainehousing.org/covidrent
Maine has $200 million in rent relief funds from the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program. This program will provide rental and utility relief payments to help eligible renters maintain housing stability. Maine’s Community Action Agencies will review applications, check eligibility, and process payments for eligible expenses on behalf of households. READ MORE
JANUARY 5, 2021 RENTAL RELIEF UPDATE
MaineHousing’s Rent Relief program ended on December 30th. We expect to offer a new program later this month which will cover the month of January and future months.
The recently enacted federal stimulus bill includes additional funding for emergency rental assistance. Maine’s allocation is $200M. We are still working our way through the details of the federal stimulus bill.
We will be making a public announcement once we have defined our new program.
Thank you!
DECEMBER 31, 2020
THE EXPANDED MAINEHOUSING RENTAL RELIEF PROGRAM FOR 2020 HAS ENDED. Applications for this program are no longer being accepted. A new Rental Relief Program is expected to be launched in January. We will announce that information when it is available.
OCTOBER 1, 2020 COVID-19 RENT RELIEF PROGRAM HAS ENDED
As of September 30, 2020 at 11:59 pm, the COVID-19 Rent Relief Program ended. Applications dated and submitted by September 30 will be processed as quickly as possible. Thank you.Sept. 23, 2020
COVID-19 RENT RELIEF NOTICE
Applications will be accepted ONLY through September 30, 2020 for rent owed for September or prior months. This program will NOT cover October rent. Applications are processed on a first come, first served basis. Applications that are received after funds are exhausted will be held for consideration in the event that the Federal government provides additional economic support
Sept. 2, 2020 UPDATE: EXPANDED COVID-19 RENT RELIEF PROGRAM The Expanded COVID-19 Rent Relief Program remains open to eligible Maine residents. If calling for information about or assistance with the Rent Relief Program, there may be extended wait time due to heavy call volume. We ask your patience, and we appreciate your understanding.
If you are a tenant and would like to apply for rental assistance relief, please visit the Maine Housing website at mainehousing.org to complete an online application.
If you need help completing the application or have questions, please call 324-5762, Option 9, and leave your name and phone number after the tone. A member of our Outreach Team will return your call within one business day.
Please allow two weeks’ processing time before calling to inquire about your Rent Relief application. We are experiencing a very high volume of applications, and processing them daily. Please do not leave a phone message inquiring about your application before the two-week period has ended. You may wish to seek additional or alternative resources from your Town, or through YCCAC’s Outreach office (324-5762, Option
EXPANDED COVID-19 RENT RELIEF PROGRAM
Are you having trouble paying rent due to COVID-19? We may be able to help!
The COVID-19 Rent Relief Program is for renters who cannot afford to pay their rent due to circumstances related to the COVID 19 pandemic. This program expands upon the previous rent relief program through MaineHousing. You can apply for this expanded program even if you applied and received funds under the other program.
For more information about the program, eligibility and answers to Frequently Asked Questions, please visit the Maine State Housing website.
Expanded COVID-19 Rent Relief Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
UPDATED August 27, 2020
Can I apply for rent due in the same month or only rent that is in arrears? If you owe rent for past months, you can apply for assistance with rent that is in arrears. If you are forecasting that you will not be able to pay your rent for an upcoming month, you may apply on or after the first day of the month.
Who is eligible?
You may qualify if your annual income is within the income limits identified on the table below and are based on household size and the county in which you live. Some municipalities may have their own rent relief program. They currently include Lewiston and Cumberland County, with the exception of Brunswick. If you live in one of these communities, you are not eligible for this program and must apply for that program. This list will be kept updated.
York County
Family Size
1 Person
2 Person
3 Person
4 Person
5 Person
6 Person
7 Person
8 Person
$44,250
$50,600
$56,900
$63,620
$68,300
$73,350
$78,400
$83,450
Ability to Pay:
You may qualify if you are unable to pay your rent due to circumstances directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples of changes in circumstances include but are not limited to:
being laid off;
having your place of employment closed;
reduction in hours of work;
having to stay home to care for your children because your day care or school has closed; or
other loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Subsidized and Tax Credit Housing Excluded: If you live in housing that receives any kind of subsidy, you are NOT eligible. Ask your landlord or property manager about other rent relief options that may be available. You are not eligible if you:
Get a Section 8 Voucher, live in Section 8 apartments, or receive Rental Assistance from USDA’s Rural Development.
Live in housing developments with mortgages financed by MaineHousing or a federal agency.
Live in a development/property using low-income housing tax credits.
Live in public housing.
Assets If you can afford to pay your rent from income of any sort or from savings or other liquid assets, you are not eligible.
Mobile Home Pad Rents If you own a mobile home and rent space in a mobile home park you may be eligible for this program. If you are eligible for the program, it is only for lot rent or the mobile home rent. Park fees are not included.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much will the program pay? The program may pay up to $1,000 per month per household for a maximum of three months (for up to a total of $3,000).
My rent is more than $1,000. What about the rest of it? Work with your landlord. This benefit will help but you still must pay the rest of your rent.
If the $1,000 maximum benefit is all I can pay right now, will I be evicted?You will not be evicted for the month that your landlord accepts the payment. By accepting payment, the landlord agrees not to evict you for non-payment of rent for the month for which the payment is made. This protection from eviction does not extend to evictions due to other non-compliance with the lease provisions or failure to pay rent for other months’ rent not covered in this program.
Should I tell my landlord that I am applying?Yes. Communication between you and your landlord is very important. Most landlords do not want to lose good tenants and good communication can only help. It is also important for them to know that you’ve applied because they are required to fill out paperwork to receive these funds.
How will the application be processed? How will the landlord get paid?When you submit your application, your local Community Action Agency will process the application. They will contact you directly to confirm the information provided on the application. They will then contact your landlord. The landlord will agree to accept the payment and to not evict you for any rent remaining due that month. Once the landlord agrees and fills out required paperwork, the Community Action Agency will make a payment directly to the landlord. It is very important to remember that payments cannot be made until all required documentation has been submitted by the applicant and received from the landlord.
How long will the program run? The program will run until the funds are exhausted or the program ends.
What if my landlord refuses to participate? We hope that landlords will participate in this program and accept payments. However, there is nothing we can do to require the landlord to participate.
Application & More Info
Applications for the COVID Rental Relief Program – Expanded will processed by Community Action Agencies. Please visit the Maine Community Action Association’s website to fill out an online application. You may apply for each month’s rent you cannot pay up to three (3) months total. The benefit is retroactive, so you may apply for past months and the current month at the same time. You may not apply for a future month. You will need to apply again if need help for future months and have not reached the maximum $3,000 limit.
NEW COVID-19 Rent Relief Program
If you wish to seek alternative non-rent related resources, you may call a YCCAC Outreach Worker at (207) 324-5762, option 8 or 2-1-1. Additional housing information can be found at https://www.mainehousing.org/programs-services/rental.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2022
IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT MAINE HOUSING RENTAL RELIEF ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Effective at 5pm September 29, 2022, MaineHousing has paused all community action agencies, including YCCAC, from taking any applications (new or subsequent) for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. If you have previously submitted an application to this program it will be processed and a determination of any benefit amount for eligible applicants will be based on the funding available at the time of processing.
If you would like to explore supportive resources, please contact YCCAC’s Outreach Department at 324-5762 ext. 8, your local General Assistance Office, or 2-1-1.
HOTELS ONLY: If someone applied in September, they may be eligible for September, October, and November hotel payments as long as the money is available and they have available units to use.
https://www.mainehousing.org/news/news-detail/2022/09/30/mainehousing-pauses-emergency-rental-assistance-program
HOUSING AND OTHER RESOURCES
Affordable Housing Options – York County
Section 8 Information and Application
General Assistance Phone Numbers – York County
Homeless Shelters – York County
York County Resources
Pine Tree Legal Assistance provides free civil legal aid Maine (207) 774-8211.
JULY 22, 2022
Emergency Rental Assistance Program FAQ
JUNE 1, 2022
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Maine’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program provides rental and utility relief payments to help eligible renters. Maine’s Community Action Agencies will review applications, check eligibility, and process payments for eligible expenses on behalf of households.
Income Limits—Emergency Rental Assistance Program (Effective June 1, 2022)
MaineHousing Changes to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Effective June 1, 2022
First-Time Emergency Rental Applicants (ERA) AND Returning ERA Applicants Seeking Additional Assistance
Mainehousing Emergency Rental Assistance Program FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Tenant Emergency Rental Assistance Application & Attestation
Tenant Emergency Rental Assistance Subsequent Request Attestation
Landlord Emergency Rental Assistance Application & Attestation
FY 2022 Per Diem Rates for Maine
JULY 29, 2021
MaineHousing Announces Expanded Emergency Rental Assistance Program Eligibility
Today, MaineHousing announced expanded eligibility for the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, increasing both the potential number of Maine people who can receive help paying their rent and utilities and the number of months they may receive assistance.READ MORE
MAY 12, 2021
EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM—MAY 2021
Having trouble paying rent or utilities? The Emergency Rental Assistance Program could help! This program helps eligible Maine renters. One application could cover rent you owe back to March 2020, three months of future rent, and some unpaid and current utility bills.
Learn more: www.mainehousing.org/covidrent
APRIL 6, 2021
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Do You Need Help Making Rent Payments?
MARCH 5, 2021
The TD Charitable Foundation awards Housing For Everyone Grant to York County Community Action Corporation
York County Community Action Corporation Receives $125,000 to Address Rental Burden Crisis
MARCH 1, 2021
NEW RENT RELIEF PROGRAM NOW OPEN
Maine has $200 million in rent relief funds from the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program. This program will provide rental and utility relief payments to help eligible renters maintain housing stability. Maine’s Community Action Agencies will review applications, check eligibility, and process payments for eligible expenses on behalf of households.
READ MORE
JANUARY 5, 2021
RENTAL RELIEF UPDATE
MaineHousing’s Rent Relief program ended on December 30th. We expect to offer a new program later this month which will cover the month of January and future months.
The recently enacted federal stimulus bill includes additional funding for emergency rental assistance. Maine’s allocation is $200M. We are still working our way through the details of the federal stimulus bill.
We will be making a public announcement once we have defined our new program.
Thank you!
DECEMBER 31, 2020
THE EXPANDED MAINEHOUSING RENTAL RELIEF PROGRAM FOR 2020 HAS ENDED. Applications for this program are no longer being accepted. A new Rental Relief Program is expected to be launched in January. We will announce that information when it is available.
OCTOBER 1, 2020
COVID-19 RENT RELIEF PROGRAM HAS ENDED
As of September 30, 2020 at 11:59 pm, the COVID-19 Rent Relief Program ended. Applications dated and submitted by September 30 will be processed as quickly as possible. Thank you.Sept. 23, 2020
COVID-19 RENT RELIEF NOTICE
Applications will be accepted ONLY through September 30, 2020 for rent owed for September or prior months. This program will NOT cover October rent. Applications are processed on a first come, first served basis. Applications that are received after funds are exhausted will be held for consideration in the event that the Federal government provides additional economic support
Sept. 2, 2020
UPDATE: EXPANDED COVID-19 RENT RELIEF PROGRAM
The Expanded COVID-19 Rent Relief Program remains open to eligible Maine residents. If calling for information about or assistance with the Rent Relief Program, there may be extended wait time due to heavy call volume. We ask your patience, and we appreciate your understanding.
If you are a tenant and would like to apply for rental assistance relief, please visit the Maine Housing website at mainehousing.org to complete an online application.
If you need help completing the application or have questions, please call 324-5762, Option 9, and leave your name and phone number after the tone. A member of our Outreach Team will return your call within one business day.
Please allow two weeks’ processing time before calling to inquire about your Rent Relief application. We are experiencing a very high volume of applications, and processing them daily. Please do not leave a phone message inquiring about your application before the two-week period has ended. You may wish to seek additional or alternative resources from your Town, or through YCCAC’s Outreach office (324-5762, Option
EXPANDED COVID-19 RENT RELIEF PROGRAM
Are you having trouble paying rent due to COVID-19? We may be able to help!
The COVID-19 Rent Relief Program is for renters who cannot afford to pay their rent due to circumstances related to the COVID 19 pandemic. This program expands upon the previous rent relief program through MaineHousing. You can apply for this expanded program even if you applied and received funds under the other program.
For more information about the program, eligibility and answers to Frequently Asked Questions, please visit the Maine State Housing website.
Expanded COVID-19 Rent Relief Program
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
UPDATED August 27, 2020
Can I apply for rent due in the same month or only rent that is in arrears?
If you owe rent for past months, you can apply for assistance with rent that is in arrears. If you are forecasting that you will not be able to pay your rent for an upcoming month, you may apply on or after the first day of the month.
Who is eligible?
You may qualify if your annual income is within the income limits identified on the table below and are based on household size and the county in which you live. Some municipalities may have their own rent relief program. They currently include Lewiston and Cumberland County, with the exception of Brunswick. If you live in one of these communities, you are not eligible for this program and must apply for that program. This list will be kept updated.
York County
Family Size
Ability to Pay:
You may qualify if you are unable to pay your rent due to circumstances directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples of changes in circumstances include but are not limited to:
Subsidized and Tax Credit Housing Excluded:
If you live in housing that receives any kind of subsidy, you are NOT eligible. Ask your landlord or property manager about other rent relief options that may be available. You are not eligible if you:
Assets
If you can afford to pay your rent from income of any sort or from savings or other liquid assets, you are not eligible.
Mobile Home Pad Rents
If you own a mobile home and rent space in a mobile home park you may be eligible for this program. If you are eligible for the program, it is only for lot rent or the mobile home rent. Park fees are not included.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The program may pay up to $1,000 per month per household for a maximum of three months (for up to a total of $3,000).
Work with your landlord. This benefit will help but you still must pay the rest of your rent.
We hope that landlords will participate in this program and accept payments. However, there is nothing we can do to require the landlord to participate.
Application & More Info
Applications for the COVID Rental Relief Program – Expanded will processed by Community Action Agencies. Please visit the Maine Community Action Association’s website to fill out an online application. You may apply for each month’s rent you cannot pay up to three (3) months total. The benefit is retroactive, so you may apply for past months and the current month at the same time. You may not apply for a future month. You will need to apply again if need help for future months and have not reached the maximum $3,000 limit.
Complete Online Application Here