Posted and up to date on 9/29/2022
Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program
Maine State Housing Authority is not accepting applications for ERA as of September 30, 2022. This means you cannot apply for ERA with MSHA or any other agency in Maine. We do not know if they will open applications again.
If you think you have completed an application for ERA and you are waiting for a decision or for a payment, you should contact Maine State Housing Authority or the agency where you applied.
The rules for the Emergency Rental Assistance program changed in June. If you have questions on how these rules affect you, call Pine Tree Legal Assistance.
New Rules for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program - Effective June 1, 2022.
Hotels: ERA will only pay toward a hotel stay up to a certain amount per night.
If you have been living in a hotel for a long time, and the hotel has been treating you more like a tenant, than you may be a tenant with rights. They may not be allowed to treat you like a hotel guest. You may have the right to the protections that tenants have in the eviction process. Read more about your rights if you live in a hotel.
Time: You will only be able to receive up to 12 months of assistance. If you have already received between 11 and 16 months, you can get up to two additional months.
Income: Starting on June 1, 2022, you must be at or below 50% of your area median income to qualify. Check here to see if you are eligible based on your income. If you applied before June 1, 2022, you may still be eligible if your income is at or below 80% of your area median income.
Type of Expense: If you applied for the first time on or after June 1, 2022, ERA will only pay rent, back rent, electric bills, and security deposits.
If you applied for ERA for the first time before June 1st, there may be other housing expenses ERA will pay (such as court fees, moving costs, and utility bills in addition to electricity).
Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program Introduction
Have you lost income, had increased expenses, or had some other type of financial hardship during COVID-19?
You might be eligible for help through Maine State Housing Authority's Emergency Rental Assistance Program. This program may help you pay for rent, electric bills, or other expenses that will help you avoid homelessness. We answer some common questions about this program below. The Maine State Housing Authority also provides their own FAQ for tenants about this program.
Apply for help through the Maine State Housing Authority Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
Are there income limits?
Yes, there are income limits for this program. The income limits are different based on the number of people in your home and where you live. Income limits are higher in some places where it is more expensive to live. Find your income limits.
If you applied before June 1, 2022, the income limit is 80% of your area median income. If you applied on or after June 1, 2022, the limit will be 50% of your area median income.
If you got unemployment benefits after March 13, 2020, you do not need to meet the income limits.
What else will I need to show I qualify?
- You must show that you had a financial hardship. This might mean you lost your job or your hours were reduced. It can also mean that you had increased expenses during COVID-19, like childcare costs or medical bills.
- You also need to show that you are at risk for homelessness or have unstable housing. This might be an eviction notice or owing rent. It can also mean that you are having trouble paying a utility bill, like your electric bill. Maine State Housing Authority has also said a hardship can be that you had to borrow money to pay your bills.
Apply for help through the Maine State Housing Authority Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
Will ERA pay my rent if I live in subsidized housing?
Yes, people who live in subsidized housing are eligible for ERA. If you were recently told you do not qualify because you live in subsidized housing, you should reapply. The rules have recently changed.
Can I get help paying my mortgage if I own my home?
No, this program is only available to renters. But, there is a different program for Maine homeowners.
What if my landlord won’t take the rental assistance?
You should let the agency that processed your application know if your landlord won’t accept it. They can then pay you the money to give to your landlord. If your landlord is trying to evict you, you should call Pine Tree Legal Assistance.
What if I am denied assistance or my landlord is trying to evict me?
You should call Pine Tree Legal Assistance for help.
I was told I wasn't eligible for this program before August 2021. Should I reapply?
Yes. On August 2nd, 2021 the eligibility rules changed. Your financial hardship no longer needs to be related to COVID-19. It just has to have happened during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you think this changes your eligibility, you should reapply.
Important Resources to Prevent Eviction
Getting evicted? Worried you might be soon?
To learn more about your rights if you are being evicted, come to a live virtual information session with a PTLA attorney every Tuesday at 9 a.m.