Public Housing Authorities in Maine

A Public Housing Authority (PHA) is the local agency that runs the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program and public housing in its jurisdiction. The 24 PHAS listed below serve Maine — use the table to find each agency's city, the number of units it manages, whether it administers vouchers, and whether its waitlist is currently open. Select a PHA for full contact details.

PHA Name City Units Vouchers Waitlist
Maine State Housing Authority Augusta 4,539 Yes Closed
Portland Housing Authority Portland 3,018 Yes Closed
Lewiston Housing Authority Lewiston 1,901 Yes Closed
The Housing Authority of the City of Westbroo Westbrook 1,026 Yes Closed
Housing Authority City of Bangor Bangor 1,016 Yes Closed
Auburn Housing Authority Auburn 772 Yes Closed
South Portland Housing Authority South Portland 740 Yes Closed
Sanford Housing Authority Sanford 719 Yes Closed
Brunswick Housing Authority Brunswick 678 Yes Closed
Waterville Housing Authority Waterville 588 Yes Closed
Augusta Housing Authority Augusta 494 Yes Closed
Ellsworth Housing Authority Ellsworth 432 Yes Closed
Presque Isle Housing Authority Presque Isle 343 Yes Closed
Old Town Housing Authority Old Town 299 Yes Closed
Brewer Housing Authority Brewer 290 Yes Closed
Bath Housing Authority Bath 264 Yes Closed
Caribou Housing Authority Caribou 236 Yes Closed
Fort Fairfield Housing Authority Fort Fairfield 233 Yes Closed
Biddeford Housing Authority Biddeford 210 Yes Closed
Van Buren Housing Authority Van Buren 194 Yes Closed
Bar Harbor Housing Authority Bar Harbor 115 No Closed
Southwest Harbor Housing Authority Southwest Harbor 50 No Closed
Tremont Housing Authority Bass Harbor 22 No Closed
Mount Desert Housing Authority Mount Desert 18 No Closed

Section 8 in Maine

Each PHA in Maine operates independently and sets its own payment standards, preferences, and waitlist policies within HUD guidelines. Payment standards — the maximum rent subsidy amount — are typically set between 90% and 110% of the local Fair Market Rent. PHAs in high-cost areas may apply to HUD for exception payment standards above 110% FMR.

How to apply for a voucher in Maine

Applications are submitted to an individual PHA, not to the state or to HUD directly. Because demand far exceeds the number of available vouchers, most Maine PHAs maintain a waitlist and only accept new applications during open enrollment periods. The "Waitlist" column above shows which agencies are currently accepting applications. To improve your odds, you can apply to more than one PHA whose jurisdiction you live in or are willing to move to. Eligibility depends mainly on household income relative to the area's income limits — generally at or below 50% of Area Median Income.