Housing.htm

We provide affordable first-time home ownership opportunities, affordable urban apartments for families and individuals, and repair and maintenance resources to help homeowners keep their homes warm, safe, energy efficient, and in good repair. To find out more, click on the links below:

Two New Assistance Programs from the Portland Water District and PROP

PROP administers two programs that are funded by the Portland Water District. These programs help low-income customers of the Portland Water District to reduce their water bill by receiving an allowance toward the water bill and through the installation of water conservation measures such as low-flow toilets and shower heads. More details are provided below.

Portland Water District Lifeline Rebate Program

The purpose of this program is to lower your water bill by providing a credit to your account.

You must be certified as LIHEAP (fuel assistance) eligible by PROP and you must be a customer of the Portland Water District to qualify.

When you sign up for your LIHEAP fuel assistance benefit, bring a copy of your water bill from the Portland Water District.

PROP staff will record your account information from your water bill and send it along with your LIHEAP certified application to the Portland Water District.

Depending upon your circumstances, the Portland Water District may reduce your water bill by up to $62 per year.

You must apply every year as you do with LIHEAP fuel assistance to ensure you receive an annual benefit.

Applications will be accepted beginning July 1 – call 842-2988 ext. 5900 for more information.

Portland Water District Conservation Program

This program is designed to help low-income homeowners reduce their water bills by installing conservation measures and by repairing or replacing items that leaking or otherwise wasting water.

To quality, your household income must be at or below 80% of the area median income. Call the number below to see if you qualify.

This program provides up to $1,000 in grant funds for the following services:

Repair/replacement of leaking / broken water main
Repair/replacement of leaky toilet with a low-flow toilet
Repair/replacement of a hot water tank
Repair/replacement of leaky kitchen sink / faucets
Installation of a low flow aerator
Repair/replacement of leaky bathtub faucets/shower heads
Repair/replacement of leaky outside faucets
Repair/replacement of leaky, broken or frozen water pipes.

Call 842-2988 ext. 5905 for more information

You can apply by completing the application available on this website and send to: Ellen Fogg, People’s Regional Opportunity Program, 510 Cumberland Avenue, Portland, Maine 04101

Download application by clicking here.

Heating and Electricity Assistance

PROP offers several programs to help with heating improvements and costs for those families that meet income eligibility requirements. For some programs, families with children under 24 months or with members who are elderly or disabled are given priority when applying.

HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) : For homeowners or renters who have high heating bills in relation to their income. HEAP benefits households by making a supplemental payment on their behalf directly to their fuel vendor, whether the fuel is oil, electricity, coal, gas, or wood. To apply, call 842-2988 x 5900.
ELP (Electricity Lifeline Program) : Central Maine Power customers who don't live in subsidized housing may apply for ELP, through which CMP will provide an energy credit on a household's monthly electric bill. To apply, call 842-2988 x 5900.
ECIP (Energy Crisis Intervention Program) : This program may provide emergency assistance funds to homeowners and renters when no other funding sources are available. Assistance might be fuel delivery, minor heating system repairs, or preventing a utility disconnection. Funds are not always available. To apply, call 842-2988 ext. 5900.
CHIP (Central Heating Improvement Program) : This program provides funds for repair and/or replacement of central heating systems that are inefficient or threaten occupants' health or safety. To apply, call 842-2988 ext. 5904
Oil Tank Replacement : In partnership with the Dept. of Environmental Protection, we offer these programs to replace leaking and unsafe fuel tanks located above ground. Call 842-2988 ext. 5904 for more information.
Central Maine Power Assistance Credit : This program allows CMP to provide assistance credit for new single-phase electric services. Income eligible homeowners buying a new home that require a new electric service may apply. CMP will provide a credit to reduce the cost of installing poles and wiring to connect to CMP's distribution line. For eligibility and more information, call Susan Joyce at 842-2988 ext. 5907 .

More: Utility Links

Lifeline Telephone Assistance

Lifeline Telephone Assistance is available to families receiving AFDC/TANF, Social Security, food stamps, fuel assistance, or Medicaid. The benefits are determined by The Telephone Association of Maine and appear as a credit on the recipient's monthly telephone bills. To apply, call 842-2988, Ext. 5900.

Home Repair Loan Program

The Home Repair loan program provides 1% loans and deferred forgivable grants up to $25,000 to qualifying homeowners for needed home repairs. These loans are tailored to individual situations, so anything from crumbling foundations to a leaking roof is reason to apply. Apply by calling Ellen Fogg, at 842-2988 ext. 5905.

Weatherization Program

The Weatherization Program provides a free home energy audit, attic and wall insulation, and other energy-saving measures that reduce home heating costs. Priority is given to households with elderly or disabled members and to families with children under 24 months. To apply, call Todd Anges, at 842-2988 x 5902.

PROP Responds to Affordable Housing Crisis

We have long been concerned about the inadequate supply of affordable housing in Cumberland County and Greater Portland, in particular. It was our concern that led us to enter the field of housing development nine years ago, and we have created many newrental units in Portland and Westbrook since that time. Now, with the most critical need ever for additional urban housing and family-sized apartments, we are involved in developing several innovative, low-impact projects. Our efforts have resulted in 63 new units of mixed income rental housing in Portland and Westbrook, with another 20 units planned for this year. We have also created 13 homeownership units for low to moderate income first time homebuyers. The projects we have completed or in the process of developing include:

Scattered site in-fill housing: In partnership with the City of Portland, we are developing small lots within existing neighborhoods -- 1 to 4 buildings, depending on size of lot -- on the peninsula. We have added twelve 3-bedroom apartments since 2002 and all are rented at this time.
St. Dominic’s Affordable Housing, Portland: We have created 12 units of mixed income family rental housing in the former girls’ school adjacent to historic St. Dominic’s church on State Street in Portland. All units are rented at this time. The Irish Heritage Center has preserved the church sanctuary as a community building and cultural center.
Parkside Neighborhood Center & Housing, Portland: We opened this ambitious project at the corner of Mellen & Grant Streets in June, 2005. The housing portion consists of 16 units of 2 and 3 bedroom rental housing in Maine's most densely populated neighborhood. The project includes a Neighborhood Center which houses many important programs including Head Start, Portland Adult Education, Parkside Community Policing, USM, and Parkside Community Arts.
Affordable owner occupied/rental housing, Westbrook: We have sold twelve Westbrook condominiums to first-time homeowners. We are currently creating ten more units in the neighborhood.

The Need for Housing

Maine has the seventh oldest housing stock in the country. 31% was built before 1939. We are last in the nation in apartment production.
48% of renters in Cumberland County live in Portland; the city has 17, 121 rental households. An estimated additional 4,500 to 6,500 units are needed in the Portland area.
Greater Portland created 23,000 new jobs during the 1990s, yet only 3,000 new rentals.
A family earning $35,000 a year can afford a home priced at around $100,000. The average selling price of a home in Portland is $147,321.
Portland pays up to $25,000 per month to area motels to house the overflow of families for whom there is no room at city shelters.

Source: CITE Housing Committee, 2001 Our housing initiatives are moving forward thanks to the effort of staff and Board members on the Ad Hoc Housing Committee: Jeff Porter, Leo Hurtubise, Ed Suslovic, Larry Anton and Betsy Sawyer-Manter.

More: Home-Ownership Links

Home Ownership success story

Homeownership Classes

hoMEworks is a statewide program offered in Cumberland County through PROP. Anyone can take the hoMEworks course. For $25, participants receive 10 class hours of education to help them become smart buyers and successful homeowners. For more information, call our HomeOwnership HotLine at 772-1184.

Affordable Rental Housing

PROP offers two programs for rental assistance.

Affordable Rental Housing and social services support are provided to families in 23 units developed and managed by PROP. For more information, call Property Manager at 774-7175.

More: Renters' Resources

Refrigerator Replacement Program

Save money on your electric bill with a new energy-efficient refrigerator...

at no cost to you!

If your refrigerator was manufactured before 1995, PROP may be able to help you get rid of your

energy hog and replace it with a new model at no cost!

Contact Deborah Meehan at 842-2988 ext 5908

You may also leave a message, toll-free at 1-800-698-4959; TTY 874-1013

IMPORTANT: Your old refrigerator will be removed and disposed of properly; you cannot keep it.

Replacements are white or almond with a top freezer appropriately sized for family need.

Applicants must be income eligible and have a valid application for fuel assistance.

This program is funded by Maine's Public Utilities Commission.

Maine American Dream Initiative (MADI)

If you are a first-time home buyer, the Maine American Dream Initiative may be able to provide you with up to $9,000 for down payment and closing costs. In order to access funds - you must be income-eligible and have taken a homeownership class. For more information, please contact Ellen Fogg at 842-2988 ext. 5905.