Maine Residents Property Tax and Rent Refund “Circuit Breaker” Program

Maine’s Circuit Breaker program allows eligible Maine residents to receive a partial refund of property taxes and/or rent paid on their primary residence.  For more information: http://www.maine.gov/revenue/taxrelief/tnr.htm

Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community/WWC

WWC  provides training, advocacy and assistance in four program areas: Building a Career; Starting a Business; Managing your Money; and Becoming a Leader.  For more information go to: http://www.womenworkandcommunity.org/

Read more

Pine Tree Legal/Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC)

Pine Tree Legal’s LITC helps clients deal with questions and problems with the Internal Revenue Service. Their services are free.  For contact information go to: http://www.ptla.org/taxpayer/taxpayer.htm

Classes and Access to Start-Up Funds

Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI)

CEI provides financing and business counseling support to start-up microenterprises and expanding/job-creating small businesses through the Small Business Development Centers at CEI and the organization’s Women’s Business Center.  For information about all of CEI’s financial and business education programs go to: http://www.ceimaine.org/

Read more

Emergency Shelter

Tedford Housing

Tedford Housing provides shelter, housing and services to those in need. For contact information: http://tedfordhousing.org/

2-1-1

The 2-1-1 Maine Resource Directory includes program and service information as well intake procedures, eligibility requirements, and other vital information. To access the Directory go to: http://www.211maine.org/about.asp.  To speak to a 2-1-1 Operator any time any day, simply dial 2-1-1.

Homeless shelters in Maine

For a comprehensive listing of the homeless shelters in Maine go to: http://www.maine.gov/education/homeless_ed/shelters.htm

General Assistance

General Assistance (GA) is a program run by every town to help residents with emergency needs.  In an emergency, you can apply by phone.  For more information about the General Assistance Program go to: http://www.ptla.org/ga.htm

Emergency Food Assistance

Mid Coast Hunger Prevention

Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program offers food assistance to individuals and families.  For more information: http://www.mchpp.org/

Food pantries in Maine

To locate food pantries across the State of Maine go to: http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/co/tefap/countysearch.html

Fuel/Utility Assistance

LIHEAP

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides money to help low-income homeowners and renters pay for heating costs.  For more information, including contact info, go to: http://www.mainehousing.org/PROGRAMSLiheap.aspx?ProgramID=37

Low Income Assistance Plan at Maine Housing

If you receive residential electric service from an electric utility and you are not living in government subsidized housing, you may be eligible for assistance with your electric bills from your electric utility’s Low Income Assistance Plan at Maine Housing.  For information: Low Income Assistance Plan (LIAP).

Appliance Replacement Program at Maine Housing

If you pay your own electric bill, you may be eligible for a new, energy-efficient refrigerator from MaineHousing’s Appliance Replacement Program.  For information: Appliance Replacement Program.

Central Heating Improvement Program at Maine Housing

If your heating system is in need of repair or replacement, you may qualify for the Central Heating Improvement Program at Maine Housing.  For information: Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP).

Housing Authorities

Housing Authorities provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.  Locally there are two Housing Authorities: the Bath Housing Authority and the Brunswick Housing Authority.

The Bath Housing Authority has Public Housing Properties for families, elderly and disabled, and also a Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher Program.  Contact the Bath HA: 443-3116.

The Brunswick Housing Authority has Public Housing Managed Properties for families, elderly and disabled.  In addition, the HA manages various programs, including Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher, Family Self-Sufficiency, and congregate housing services.  For information: http://www.brunswickhousing.org/

To see a listing of all Housing Authorities in Maine go to: http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/pha/contacts/states/me.cfm

Section 8/Housing Choice Vouchers

MaineHousing’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program provides rental assistance to income eligible tenants.  For more information: http://www.mainehousing.org/RENTALProgramsDetail.aspx?ProgramID=50

Affordable Rental Units

Affordable apartments have been developed across the State. For more information go to:  http://www.mainehousing.org/RENTALSubsidizedHousing.aspx

Maine’s Bureau of Consumer Credit protection offers free publications online:

http://www.maine.gov/pfr/consumercredit/publications.htm

HoMEworks educators and HUD approved Housing Counseling agencies

The HoMEworks goal is to provide homeownership education.  Buyers who have taken the home buying classes are more confident about homeownership and loan products, and the education gives buyers the tools they need to avoid predatory lending and possible foreclosure.

Click on the following links for more HoMEworks information.

HoMEworks brochure

HoMEworks class schedule and fee information

Family Development Account Coalition – Matched Savings Program — FDAs or IDAs

The FDA Program enables low-income families to establish savings accounts that will be matched when withdrawn to purchase an approved asset.  For a program description: http://womenworkandcommunity.org/?page_id=101

The Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community (WWC) and Midcoast Maine Community Action are the two agencies offering the program in the Sagadahoc/Lincoln County area.

The Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community offer Family Development Accounts (FDA’s), or “matched savings accounts”.  The learn more about FDA’s and whether you are eligible, go to http://womenworkandcommunity.org/?page_id=80.

Midcoast Maine Community Action actively promotes economic and community development of the businesses and communities in the mid-coast area where individuals and families reside.  To learn more about their FDA program: http://www.midcoastmainecommunityaction.org/

Maine’s Home Repair Network and the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Program

Maine’s Home Repair Network provides help to low-income homeowners you cannot afford necessary home repairs.  In cases where home repair is not feasible, home replacement may be an option.

To learn more: http://www.mainehousing.org/PROGRAMSHomeRepair.aspx?ProgramID=33

USDA-RD Home Repair Programs — USDA – Rural Development offices offer 504 Loan/Grant Home Repair program funds.

Section 504 Direct Loan Program — Loans are made at 1 percent interest rate to repair, improve, or modernize modest single family homes in rural areas for low income homeowners.

Section 504 Grant Program — For homeowners 62 years old or older who cannot repay a loan, grant funds are available to remove health or safety hazards, or remodel dwellings to make them accessible to household members with disabilities.

For more information: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/me/SFH/sfh.htm

Building Materials Exchange

The Building Materials Exchange’s goal is “to keep people in their homes” through the use and reuse of good quality building materials. For information: http://www.mainebme.org/public/

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a discount retail outlet open to the public that sells new and lightly used building materials.  For information: http://www.habitat7rivers.org/restore/index.php

Habitat for Humanity/7 Rivers Maine

Habitat for Humanity/7 Rivers Maine is the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity.  They  coordinate donations of funds and materials with volunteer labor to do home repairs or weatherization for qualifying families.   For information: http://www.habitat7rivers.org/

Home Equity Conversion Mortgages for Seniors

Reverse mortgages are increasing in popularity with seniors who have equity in their homes and want to supplement their income. The only reverse mortgage insured by the U.S. Federal Government is called a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage or HECM, and is only available through an FHA approved lender.

To learn more: http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hecm/hecmhome.cfm

Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency

If you purchase an energy-efficient product or renewable energy system for your home, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit. At this website you will find an overview of the federal tax credits for energy efficiency.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index