§4994-D. Maine Eviction Prevention Program
The Maine Eviction Prevention Program, referred to in this section as "the program," is established within the Maine State Housing Authority to provide rental assistance to individuals.
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. GGGG, §1 (NEW).]
1.
Eligibility; income.
The Maine State Housing Authority shall establish eligibility criteria and application requirements for participation in the program consistent with the requirements under this subchapter. A program applicant's income may not exceed 60% of the area median income, adjusted for family size, in accordance with federal standards generally accepted as of the effective date of this subchapter and comparable to the standards of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. GGGG, §1 (NEW).]
2.
Rental assistance.
A participant in the program is eligible to receive up to $800 per month in rental assistance paid directly to the participant's landlord for up to 12 months.
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. GGGG, §1 (NEW).]
3.
Assistance priority.
Rental assistance under this subchapter must be awarded in the following order of priority:
A.
As the first priority, participants who have received a summons and complaint for forcible entry and detainer;
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. GGGG, §1 (NEW).]
B.
As the 2nd priority, participants who receive an eviction notice for nonpayment of rent; and
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. GGGG, §1 (NEW).]
C.
As the 3rd priority, participants who pay over 30% of their income in rent.
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. GGGG, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. GGGG, §1 (NEW).]
4.
Payment requirement.
A participant in the program is required to pay 30% of the participant's income toward the participant's rental obligation.
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. GGGG, §1 (NEW).]
5.
Rent requirement.
A participant in the program must reside in a rental unit in which the rent is at or below 125% of the fair market rent established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to 24 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 888.113 for the household size in the area in which the rental unit is located.
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. GGGG, §1 (NEW).]
6.
Eviction for cause.
A landlord may evict a program participant only for cause during any month rental assistance is paid by the program.
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. GGGG, §1 (NEW).]
7.
Program administration.
The Maine State Housing Authority shall delegate administration of the program and provide appropriate funding to one or more of the following: a designated community action agency as described by Title 22, section 5324; a municipal housing authority; or any other qualified entity as determined by the Maine State Housing Authority. An entity delegated to administer the program shall develop a method of verifying a participant's eligibility for the rental assistance every 6 months after initial approval. An entity delegated to administer the program shall limit administrative costs of the program to 12% or less of distributions received.
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. GGGG, §1 (NEW).]
8.
Rules.
The Maine State Housing Authority may adopt rules to implement the provisions of this subchapter. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. GGGG, §1 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. GGGG, §1 (NEW).