See General Assistance for more information about help paying your rent or mortgage. General Assistance can also help with current utility bills and other basic costs of living.
If you are legally responsible for children and have very low income, you may qualify for TANF. If you are getting TANF, Emergency Assistance may help with housing expenses. If you are eligible for TANF but not receiving it, Alternative Aid may be an option.
Are you facing eviction because you’re behind on your rent? Maine’s Eviction Prevention Program (EPP) may help!
Even if you are not sure if you need help yet, you should still apply now so you can be considered later.
The Eviction Prevention Program (EPP), can help Maine renters pay past due and future rent for up to 12 months in the amount of $800/month. The payment must be made directly to your landlord, so they must be willing to participate in the program.
Eligibility is based on household income, household size, income, and housing situation. EPP applications are prioritized based on housing circumstances and, once complete, are processed first-come, first-served.
You can apply online or by phone at (207) 274-1240.
If you need an interpreter to apply, call and leave a message for Project Home telling them your name, phone number, and what language you need. You may leave the message in your preferred language.
Updated: Sept 2026
You have housing rights! Reach out for help as soon as you get an eviction notice (Notice to Quit) or anytime you feel pressured, unsafe, or worried about losing housing. Your landlord has to take you to court and only a judge can order you to leave your apartment.
Your landlord has to give you a written eviction notice first.
Your landlord can’t just kick you out or change the locks. If the landlord wants you to leave, they have to give you a paper eviction notice (Notice to Quit) and take you to court.
Gather all your paperwork and reach out for help right away!
Contact a legal aid organization to learn about your rights. Contact us, Pine Tree Legal Assistance or local housing groups as soon as you get a notice. Save your lease and every notice and letter you get from your landlord. You will need them if you go to court.
Updated: November 2025
You have the right to a hearing.
Only a judge can decide if you must move out. It’s illegal for your landlord to lock you out or throw away your things without a court order. You must show up to court.
You can ask for an interpreter.
The court must provide an interpreter if you need one. Call the court or go to the clerk’s office to tell them you need an interpreter. You can also ask the judge at court!
Updated: November 2025
Only the police can remove you.
If you lose in court, your landlord should not lock you out or throw away your things. If you lose, around 9 days after court, the police may come and ask you to leave.
Updated: November 2025
We also have printable copies of the housing and eviction rights information above in English, Arabic, French, Lingala, Portuguese, Somali and Spanish.
Remember: housing discrimination is not allowed!
A landlord cannot evict you because of your race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexuality, family, or disability.
General Assistance (GA) is a program that can help people pay their rent or mortgage. GA can also help with current utility bills and other basic costs of living like food or medicine. Each town has its own GA program.
Public and subsidized housing provides housing to low-income people at lower rents. Public Housing is administered by the Public Housing Authority in your town, and subsidized housing programs are privately owned and run. Maine State Housing Authority has a comprehensive list of subsidized rental properties based on county. Find your local Housing Authority: Local Housing Authority Contacts (mainehousing.org).
Homeowners who are dealing with mortgage foreclosure can call the Maine Foreclosure Prevention Hotline: 1-888-664-2569 to be connected with a housing counselor. Housing Counselors around the state are also still available to provide guidance and support if you get a foreclosure notice.
If you have children in your home and have very low income, you can apply to DHHS for Emergency Assistance in one month in a 12-month period. You can get help with emergency housing, home repairs, utilities, special medical needs or disaster relief.
Alternative Aid helps families with children who have very low income but are not on TANF with a work-related emergency. The emergency must prevent you from getting or keeping a job. For example, the program will help you with: car repairs, childcare, uniforms, housing-related emergencies, or even dental work if those things are needed to help you get or keep a job.
Address: 126 Sewall Street, Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: (866) 626-7059 (toll-free)
EIN: 04-3346273
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