Last updated: May 19, 2026
Bottom line
If you are a single mother in Maine and need housing help, start with three places: 211 Maine for local referrals, your town or city office for General Assistance, and MaineHousing or a local housing authority for rental programs.
Most housing help is not only for single mothers. Programs look at income, rent owed, household size, homelessness, disability, local rules, and funding. Call several offices, apply to more than one list, and ask for short-term help.
If you need help today
If you have no safe place to sleep, received eviction papers, have no heat in unsafe weather, or are in danger, treat it as urgent.
- Call 911 if there is immediate danger, fire, violence, or a medical emergency.
- Call 211, text your ZIP code to 898-211, or use 211 online to ask for shelter, rent, utility, and local crisis referrals.
- Call your town or city office and ask how to apply for General Assistance today.
- If abuse is involved, contact domestic violence help or call 1-866-834-4357. Deaf or hard of hearing callers can use 1-800-437-1220.
- If you have court papers, check the hearing date and call legal help quickly.
Where to start in Maine
Your first call depends on what is happening right now. If you are homeless, shelter and General Assistance may matter most. If you are behind on rent, ask about local rent help, legal aid, and a payment plan. If rent is too high every month, apply for vouchers and affordable apartments.
For broader help, use ASMOM’s Maine single mother guide and emergency assistance in Maine page alongside this housing guide.
| Your situation | Start here | Ask for |
|---|---|---|
| No safe place tonight | 211, town office, shelter list | Emergency shelter, motel help, family shelter, General Assistance |
| Behind on rent | Town office, landlord, legal aid | Rent ledger, payment plan, General Assistance, court help |
| Need cheaper rent long term | Section 8 list and properties | Voucher list, public housing, subsidized apartment waitlists |
| Cannot pay heat or power | Community Action Agency | HEAP, LIAP, emergency fuel, utility arrears help |
Main housing programs in Maine
Maine has urgent help, rent help, affordable apartments, and utility help. Ask for immediate help first, then apply for longer-term rent help.
General Assistance
General Assistance is run by Maine towns and cities. Maine DHHS says it may help eligible people with housing, temporary housing, rent, mortgage, fuel, utilities, food, and basic supplies. Apply at your local municipal office. If you cannot reach it, call the General Assistance hotline at 1-800-442-6003.
Emergency shelters
MaineHousing keeps an emergency shelter list. Some shelters serve families, youth, adults, veterans, or domestic violence survivors. Beds and rules change, so call before traveling.
Section 8 and vouchers
The Maine Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher centralized list is run through the Section 8 list. It covers 20 participating housing authorities. One application can place you on the shared list, but each housing authority still follows its own local policy when selecting households.
Vouchers can help pay rent in a private rental, but waitlists can be long and you still need an approved unit. Apply for other housing too. ASMOM’s Section 8 guide explains the basic process.
Subsidized apartments
MaineHousing has subsidized apartment lists by county. These are properties developed with government financing. Contact the property manager, ask if the waitlist is open, and ask what bedroom sizes are available.
You can also use MaineHousingSearch, a free rental search tool. Call properties before spending money or traveling.
Other rental programs
MaineHousing’s rental programs page lists vouchers, subsidized housing, short-term help through partner referrals, and disability-related rental programs. For a broader plain-language overview, see ASMOM’s housing help for single mothers.
| Program path | May help with | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| General Assistance | Rent, temporary housing, utilities, food, fuel | Apply through your town or city. Help is often paid to a vendor. |
| Housing Choice Voucher | Ongoing rent subsidy | Keep your address and phone number updated while you wait. |
| Subsidized apartment | Lower rent at one property | Each property has its own application and waitlist. |
| HEAP and LIAP | Heating and electric bill help | Apply through a Community Action Agency and keep bills handy. |
Eviction and rent help
If you are behind on rent, act before court if possible. Ask your landlord for a written balance and keep proof of every call, text, email, payment, and application. ASMOM’s rental assistance guide may help.
The Maine Eviction Prevention Program was created to help renters at immediate risk of homelessness. As of this update, the official EPP page says the waitlist closed to new applications at 5:00 p.m. local time on June 27, 2025. Program status can change if funding changes, so check the official page before assuming it is unavailable.
Maine eviction cases are called Forcible Entry and Detainer, or FED. The Maine Judicial Branch has a court eviction guide. Pine Tree Legal Assistance has Pine Tree eviction help with tenant information and forms.
This is legal information, not legal advice. If you receive a Notice to Quit, court summons, FED paperwork, or appeal deadline, contact legal aid or a licensed lawyer quickly.
Help with heat and utilities
Heating costs can put a family at risk of losing housing. Maine’s Home Energy Assistance Program, called HEAP, helps eligible renters and homeowners with heating costs. Applications are handled by local Community Action Agencies and, in some Portland cases, ProsperityME.
MaineHousing’s HEAP page says the 2025-2026 season started August 1, 2025, and continues until funds run out or May 29, 2026. The HEAP income chart lists maximum gross income by household size. For example, it lists $59,504 for a household of 3 and $70,839 for a household of 4 over 12 months.
The Maine Office of the Public Advocate lists income-qualified resources for utility customers, including General Assistance and arrearage help. ASMOM’s help with bills guide covers other household bills.
Special housing situations
If you are leaving abuse
If abuse is part of the housing crisis, do not use a normal housing plan if it could put you or your children in more danger. A domestic violence advocate can talk through shelter, safety, court, and local support options.
If someone has a disability
Some housing programs are tied to disability, mental health, or supportive services. Maine DHHS lists DHHS housing services, including the Bridging Rental Assistance Program for eligible clients with serious mental illness. If Medicaid or medical needs are part of the housing problem, ASMOM’s Medicaid guide may help you ask better questions.
If you own your home
Rent programs will not solve a mortgage, roof, heat, septic, well, or accessibility problem. MaineHousing has a home repair grants page for eligible low-income homeowners. USDA Rural Development also has USDA repair help for eligible rural homeowners. For mortgage-specific help, see ASMOM’s mortgage assistance page.
If you need several kinds of help
Housing problems often come with food, child care, transportation, child support, or medical bills. You may need the SNAP guide, child care help, or the Maine child support guide while you work on housing.
Documents and information to gather
You do not need every paper before urgent help. But missing documents can slow an application. Start a folder on paper, in email, or on your phone.
| Document | Why it helps | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | Shows identity | Ask what else is accepted if your ID is lost. |
| Children’s records | Shows household size | School, medical, or benefit records may help. |
| Lease or rent ledger | Shows rent and arrears | Ask the landlord for a written balance. |
| Court papers | Shows deadlines | Bring every page, even if confusing. |
| Income proof | Used for eligibility | Include wages, child support, benefits, or gig records. |
| Utility or fuel bills | Needed for energy help | Include shutoff notices and account numbers. |
If you are pregnant, have a baby, or need child supplies, ASMOM’s WIC guide can help you protect more of your rent money.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting for Section 8 only. Apply for vouchers, but also apply for subsidized apartments and local options.
- Missing mail or calls. Update your phone, email, and mailing address right away.
- Paying for fake help. Do not pay someone who promises to move you to the front of a government waitlist.
- Ignoring eviction papers. A Notice to Quit and court summons are different, but both matter.
- Leaving out key facts. Tell the office if you have children, pregnancy, disability, no heat, abuse, or nowhere safe to sleep.
Backup options while you wait
Housing waitlists and rent funds can move slowly. While you wait, ask 211 about local churches, family shelters, fuel funds, school social workers, Community Action agencies, and charities. ASMOM’s local resource guide and charities that help page can help you build a wider call list.
If your child is in school and you lack steady housing, ask for the McKinney-Vento liaison.
Phone scripts
Call 211 Maine
“Hi, I am a single mother in [town]. I need housing help. Tonight I am [outside / in a motel / behind on rent / facing eviction]. I have [number] children. Can you check shelter, rent help, General Assistance, fuel help, and family programs near me?”
Call your town office
“Hi, I need to apply for General Assistance. I need help with [rent / temporary housing / heat / utilities]. How do I apply today, what documents should I bring, and what should I do if I have no safe place tonight?”
Call a housing authority
“Hi, I want to apply for housing help. Is your voucher, public housing, or project-based waitlist open? Do you have family-sized units? How do I update my address?”
Call legal aid
“Hi, I received eviction papers in Maine. My hearing date is [date]. I have children in the home. Can someone screen me for legal help, mediation, or advice before court?”
Resumen breve en español
Si necesita ayuda de vivienda en Maine, empiece con 211, la oficina de su ciudad o pueblo para General Assistance, y MaineHousing para programas de renta. Si tiene papeles de desalojo, busque ayuda legal rápido y no falte a la corte. Si hay violencia doméstica, llame a la línea estatal al 1-866-834-4357. Para calefacción y electricidad, pregunte por HEAP, LIAP y ayuda de emergencia.
Frequently asked questions
Is there housing help just for single mothers in Maine?
Most Maine housing programs are not only for single mothers. They usually look at income, household size, homelessness, disability, rent burden, or local rules. Single mothers can apply when they meet the program rules.
Where should I call first if I have no place to stay?
Call 211 and your town or city office for General Assistance. If domestic violence is involved, call the statewide domestic violence helpline at 1-866-834-4357 for a safer referral.
Is Maine eviction prevention assistance open now?
As of May 19, 2026, MaineHousing says the Eviction Prevention Program waitlist closed to new applications on June 27, 2025. Check the official MaineHousing page because funding and program status can change.
How do I apply for Section 8 in Maine?
Use the Maine Section 8/HCV Centralized Waiting List through Maine Affordable Housing. Also contact local housing authorities and subsidized apartment properties because one list may not cover every option.
Can HEAP help if I rent?
Yes, HEAP can help eligible renters and homeowners with heating costs. Apply through your local Community Action Agency and ask what documents are needed for your household.
What if I am denied or cannot get a call back?
Ask for the decision in writing, ask how to appeal, keep copies, and call another resource while you wait. If it involves eviction, unsafe housing, or benefits, contact legal aid quickly.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 19, 2026, next review August 19, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.