Maine Affordable Rentals
MAINE AFFORDABLE RENTALS
PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU CONTACT US:
DISCLAIMER
Homeless To Independence Inc. is a 501©3 non-profit organization. We are self supporting and we do NOT receive any government grant funding what-so-ever to pay bills for anyone in any situation. We do not give away money. We do not give out loans against any money.
This ministry is supported with generous financial donations that are used to help keep us functioning. Our purpose is to help supply individuals and families with personal needs such as food, toiletries, clothing, household items, furniture and baby/adult diapers/wipes both locally and to areas effected by disasters. At this time, we do not offer any shelter or transitional housing services. Again, we DO NOT pay any bills. We DO NOT pay any rents or mortgages.
If you are actually homeless, or about to be homeless or need emergency assistance of any kind, DIAL “211” from a land-line telephone. This will not work from a cell telephone. Tell the receiver your situation and what you need. They will give you information specific for the location you are currently in plus any referrals you may need. They have the most up to the minute information for your specific area. Dialing “211” will get you help and much more info than this office can provide. Homeless to Independence wants you to have all the information you need to get through the situation you are in.
Don’t have a land-line telephone??? Go to your local police department, library, or house of worship and ask to use their land-line telephone. They may even make the call on your behalf.
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2. CHOOSE YOUR STATE/COMMONWEALTH/TERRITORY;
3. CHOOSE THAT STATE/COMMONWEALTH/TERRITORY’S EMPLOYMENT PAGE.
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Homeless To Independence Inc. is not responsible for misprints or cancellations of events by the event holders, landlord and/or their agent, or ourselves. Homeless to Independence Inc. also reserves the right to “NOT” offer services to people and/or persons that are rude, unpleasant, and untruthful in any way shape or form, belligerent and the like.
OCCASIONALLY, THERE WILL BE ARTICLES BY OTHER WRITERS. HOMELESS TO INDEPENDENCE MAY NOT NECESSARILY AGREE WITH THEIR VIEWPOINTS, BUT WE DO RESPECT THEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION!
OFFICE CONTACT INFO:
HOMELESS TO INDEPENDENCE INC., 201 STATION ROAD #258, QUAKERTOWN, PA 18951
THE VERY BEST WAY TO CONTACT ME IS TO SEND ME AN EMAIL: ANN@HOMELESSTOINDEPENDENCE.ORG
OFFICE NUMBER IS: 1-908-454-1500 LISTEN TO THE RECORDING
Please note that our office does have very limited volunteer staff and if we are one telephone line, we cannot answer the other line. There is simply not enough time in the day to answer and/or return each and every telephone call.
THANK YOU!!!
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11-15-23
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10-26-23
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10-19-23
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10-16-23 How Do I Buy An Affordable Home?
There are many important steps to becoming a homeowner, and these details are important to know before starting to look for affordable homes that are for sale. Many services are also available for future homeowners — including mortgages, loans, and counseling — which provide great help for renters buying an affordable home.
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10-16-23 How To Get Housing For Renters With A Criminal Record Guide
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09-24-23 How To Qualify For Project-Based Voucher Apartments
The Project-Based Voucher (PBV) rental assistance program has some basic requirements for admission. These rules are set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and enforced by the agency’s locally-based offices, known as housing authorities.
Before applying for the PBV program, it’s important to start by reviewing the qualifications. If an applicant does not meet the federal requirements, they will not get a voucher.
To qualify for a PBV unit, the household must meet the following conditions:
- Be at least 18 years old.The minimum age requirement to apply for housing with a Project-Based Voucher is 18 years old. Minors cannot apply for the program, but can live in PBV housing as a member of the household.
There is no cut off age for eligibility. In fact, some waiting lists may have a preference for ‘Elderly’ (62+) or ‘Near-Elderly’ (55+) applicants. This can shorten a household’s time on a waiting list.
- Live in the U.S. as a citizen, or an eligible immigrant.Project-Based Voucher housing is available for citizens of the United States, and those with an eligible immigration status.
Eligible immigrants include those who are a:
• Lawful permanent resident
• Registry immigrant
• Refugee or asylee
• Conditional entrant
• Parolee
• Withholding grantee
• Person granted 1986 amnesty status
• Resident of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, or Guam
• Victim, or relative of a victim of trafficking - Do not exceed the income limit.The Project-Based Voucher program is for “Very-Low Income” households. This means they must make less than 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) where the voucher is issued. HUD calls this the income limit.
Also, housing authorities must provide 75% of their vouchers to applicants with incomes no greater than 30% of AMI by law.
To know if your household meets the income limit, add the gross income of all household members, except those under 18 years old.
The maximum income limits for an area’s waiting list can usually be found on a public notice, on the housing authority’s website, or by contacting the office.
HUD’s income limits for an area can also be found on Affordable Housing Online. Search for your area, then scroll down on the results page to find the section titled ‘‘Income Qualifications for HUD Rental Assistance.”
- Pass a basic background check.Every member of the household will go through a background check about their criminal and housing history.
If someone has a criminal record, that alone will not disqualify the household. However, more serious and recent offenses may make it difficult to get approved.
Regardless of any conditions, a household will be immediately disqualified if anyone:
• Is on a state lifetime sex offender registry.
• Has been evicted from HUD housing in the last five years.
• Had assistance terminated by a housing authority for any reason.
• Owes money to a housing authority.
Common Misconceptions
Through the use of the internet, incorrect information about qualifying for the Section 8 program can spread fast.
- There is no requirement to have a family. Single persons are eligible for a voucher.
- There is no requirement to have children. Adult-only households may apply.
- There is no minimum income requirement. A household can qualify with no income.
What’s Next?
Now that the basic requirements have been checked, it’s time to apply for a PBV apartment.
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05-22-23
New Guide: Overcoming the challenges of finding open waitlists
Applying for affordable housing waitlists can be difficult for renters in any part of the country.
Read the first part of our new guide to find out what to do when facing common difficulties of finding open waiting lists.
page link: https://affordablehousingonline.com/blog/overcoming-the-challenges-of-finding-open-waitlists/?trackcmp_email=connecticut%40homelesstoindependence.org&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=%F0%9F%93%99+New+Guide%3A+Overcoming+the+challenges+of+finding+open+waitlists&utm_campaign=Thursday+Broadcast+%28Info%29+05%2F18%2F23
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05-15-23 New Guide: Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Guide
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program allows low and moderate-income renters to pay rent at an affordable rate.
The new edition of our LIHTC Guide has been completely re-written to be short and easy to follow for all renters.
page link: https://affordablehousingonline.com/guide/lihtc?trackcmp_email=connecticut%40homelesstoindependence.org&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=%F0%9F%93%99+New+Guide%3A+Low-Income+Housing+Tax+Credit+Apartment+Guide&utm_campaign=Thursday+Broadcast+%28Info%29+05%2F11%2F23
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03-22-23
How To Find A Section 8 Apartment
Updated March, 2023
After getting approved for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance, it’s important to start searching for a new home as soon as possible.
There is a time limit to sign a lease with the voucher, and knowing which types of rentals accept Section 8 vouchers will help save time and frustration during your housing search.
To start the search for a Section 8 apartment or house, first make sure that you’re looking for the right types of rental housing.
Find a home or apartment that is either privately owned, or a flat rent affordable housing residence.
A Section 8 voucher can be used to rent homes and apartments that are owned by a private landlord or property manager.
The search for a privately owned home can be difficult in some parts of the country. In many areas, private landlords and property managers can refuse tenants who have a Section 8 voucher.
In response, many states and local governments passed laws to protect renters with a Housing Choice Voucher. However, a large part of the country does not have these protections.
Vouchers are also accepted at certain affordable housing residences.
There are some housing programs that do not have income-based rent like a Section 8 voucher. Instead, tenants are charged a flat, affordable monthly rent.
These flat rent affordable housing programs must accept vouchers:
• Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)
• HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)
• Section 515 Rural Rental Housing
Note: Some of these rentals may have another housing program stacked onto it that makes the monthly rent to income-based. These types of affordable housing are not eligible, because they already provide income-based rent.
Restrictions
Residences where a Section 8 Voucher cannot be used in any circumstance include:
• College or other school dormitories.
• Penal, reformatory, medical, mental, or similar rooms in a public or private institution.
• Any home occupied by tenants who are not part of the Section 8 household.
• Affordable housing properties that already provide income-based rent, including:
• Public or Indian Housing
• Section Project-Based Rental Assistance
• Section 8 Project-Based Voucher
• USDA Section 521 Rural Rental Assistance
• Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly
• Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities
• Any other federal, state or local housing program that offers income-based rent.
With an idea in mind for a type of home, there are a few different ways to find an available rental.
Ask the housing authority for a list of landlords.
Before searching local advertisements, first check if the housing authority has a list of participating landlords.
Not every agency has a list like this, but it it can help to greatly reduce the time it takes to find a unit.
If the housing authority doesn’t have a list of landlords available, you must find an available rental on your own time.
Search for available rental advertisements online or locally.
Rentals can be found online, and through local means like newspapers or organizations that help low-income households.
While looking for available rentals, keep the search within the housing authority’s service area. Commonly known as the jurisdiction, this is the only area where the agency can provide rental assistance. Any rental located outside of the housing authority’s jurisdiction will be denied.
After finding an advertisement for a suitable home, an application must be submitted and approved by the landlord.
Submit an application for tenancy.
Once an available rental has been found, submit an application to the landlord or property manager.
The amount of household information required in the application will vary by each landlord. An application fee may be required as well. Landlords, and even housing authorities are allowed to charge their own application fee to become a tenant.
In many cases, the landlord will also do a credit and criminal background check.
When a landlord approves your application for tenancy, there’s just one more requirement before moving in.
Have the housing authority inspect the home.
After getting approved by a landlord, report this back to the housing authority as soon as possible to get it inspected.
Any apartment or house that accepts Housing Choice Vouchers must pass HUD’s health and safety inspection. The inspection checks for standards like heat, water, and structural damage.
Following the housing authority’s approval of the unit, the household can now move in.
Move in.
Now that everything is approved, it’s time to finally move into your new home!
During the move-in process, households have to cover their own moving expenses. However, some local organizations may have programs that assist renters in need. Keep this in mind, especially when looking for housing away from your current residence.
Now, the household will have to pay only a portion of their monthly income for rent.
What’s Next?
About once a year, the housing authority will re-examine the household’s income for continued eligibility. The voucher will stay with the household as long as everyone is still qualified.
Continue Reading – Low Income Housing Guide
Applying for affordable housing can be involved and complicated. Affordable Housing Online has written a guide to make it easier for renters to get the housing assistance they need.
LINK: https://affordablehousingonline.com/guide/section-8-vouchers/find-apartment?trackcmp_email=connecticut%40homelesstoindependence.org&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=%E2%9D%93+How+To+Find+A+Section+8+Apartment+-+Read+The+Updated+Guide&utm_campaign=Thursday+Broadcast+%28Info%29+03+09+23
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HUD launches online help for domestic violence survivors
Top Story: HUD launches online help for domestic violence survivors
HUD has recently launched a new webpage with resources for domestic violence survivors, under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
The site has resources explaining VAWA’s housing protections for survivors of domestic violence. In addition, the site has resources for organizations that operate shelters and provide services for domestic violence survivors.
The VAWA site also has information to assist survivors immediately. It provides national hotlines and a list of organizations that can help survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking. The national hotlines and organizations can direct survivors to local organizations and services.
link to article and more: https://affordablehousingonline.com/blog/hud-launches-online-help-for-domestic-violence-survivors/?trackcmp_email=arkansas%40homelesstoindependence.org&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=%F0%9F%93%B0+News%3A+HUD+launches+online+help+for+domestic+violence+survivors&utm_campaign=Wednesday+Broadcast+%28News%29+02+08+23&vgo_ee=lXABPYmBYuHi5wfm1psG2KZZzlLYDq6LjFLZ38twxQrDx7HCR22zp8cjrz5ZyNpB
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- House Sitters America ($49 per year) Job seekers can provide their services free or for a fee on this site. You can search for jobs on the site, or create a profile that will attract homeowners to you.
- Housecarers.com ($50 per year) Your profile can include up to 14 photos of yourself, effectively creating a 15-page personal website for your housesitting services. You can preselect areas or types of jobs you are looking for before receiving matching job opportunities.
- Mind My House ($20 per year) More than one-third of the listings on Mind My House are for the United Kingdom and Europe, while 30% are American listings.
- Luxury House Sitting ($25 per year) This is a worldwide service, with listings in the U.S., Europe, parts of South America, Australia, and a few countries in Africa and Asia. The newest housesitting gigs pop up as you sign into your account.
- Trusted House Sitters ($129 per year). This is another service that offers worldwide opportunities. Job seekers get to list the dates they need housing and the locations they are willing to travel to.
- Reliability. Homeowners are not going to give their house keys to just anyone. They need to know they can count on you to stay in the house, keep it clean, not throw any parties and pay attention to detail. Recommendations from previous housesitting clients or current employers can speak to your reliability. Multiple references and reviews can help you stand out.
- Availability. One of your main jobs as a housesitter is to make sure the home looks occupied to help prevent burglary or vandalism. That means you will be a constant presence on the property. You don’t have to stay there 24/7, but you have to occupy the home the way the homeowner would. Be clear about how your availability, including whether housesitting will be your sole job or if you’ll work outside the home.
- Home care skills. Can you unclog a toilet? Adjust a thermostat? Water plants regularly? In some cases, you will be asked to be a temporary caretaker rather than just a body occupying a space.
- Cleanliness. Part of your job may be to keep the house clean. If there isn’t a separate cleaning service, you may need to wash dishes (or use a dishwasher), clean toilets, sweep, vacuum and dust.
- Love of animals. Many homeowners want a housesitter just to take care of their dog, cat, rabbit, fish or bearded dragon. Duties can include taking the animal for a walk, feeding on a regular schedule and cleaning up after them. Photos of you with your own pet (or a friend’s pet) will help in your job profile.
- Specialty skills. Do you have any training to set you apart (and demand a higher rate), such as being certified in pet CPR?
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- The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program helps create affordable apartment communities with lower than market rate rents by offering tax incentives to the property owners.
- It does not offer tax credits to the tenant renting the unit.
- LIHTC properties may contain market rate units that are not financially assisted, in addition to reduced rent LIHTC units under a tiered rent structure.
- A tiered rent structure means that the same unit may have different rent amounts for tenants with different incomes.
- Private management companies and individual owners manage these low-income housing apartment communities. LIHTC units may also have a rental subsidy program attached to them, such as the Project-Based Section 8 program.
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- SELECT “BROWSING”;
- SELECT “HOUSING”;
- CLICK THE “FILTERS” IN THE TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER;
- SELECT “FOR RENT”, “NO. OF BEDROOMS”, “NO. OF BATHROOMS”,
- AND SEE WHAT IS AVAILABLE.
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As I search for rentals throughout our state, I look for certain criteria:
1. I have decided to not list so many houses for rent, as apartments, in most cases do include heat. Please keep in mind that winter is at our door-step and the cost of heating is on the rise. The monthly rental may seem a bit higher priced, however, it will be worth it in the long-run.
2. I will not list housing that requires a fee for their service, nor a fee per call. I do agree with a fee, however for the back-ground and/or credit check, THE FEE IS APPROPRIATE, since those companies providing the background check and credit check do charge a fee for their services.
3. I will do my best to keep the maximum rental amount within the cost of living to your area, however, if Section 8 or TRA is accepted the rental amount may be more because there are times when the utilities are included.
4. I will not list without the rental amount included
5. I try not to list rental opportunities that offer “Option to Buy” – I have found that in most of these situations it does not work out properly for either party involved. I am working on a “First Time Home Purchaser” list of programs from throughout the State, that operates in an official capacity to help those that are working so diligently to raise their families and deserve to show something for their hard, hard work.
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WE LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED WHEN IT COMES TO HELPING OTHERS!!
