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 ext. 21.
• 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 ext. 21.
• 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. 21
• CHIP (Central Heating Improvement Program): This program provides funds for cleaning, tuning, repairing, and replacing central heating systems that are inefficient or threaten occupants' health or safety. To apply, call Randi Curato at 842-2988 ext. 24
• Above Ground and Underground Oil Tank Programs: In partnership with the Dept. of Environmental Protection, we offer these programs to replace leaking and unsafe fuel tanks located either above ground or underground. Call Randi Curato at 842-2988 ext. 24 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. 25.

More: Utility Links

Plumbing Repairs

Portland Water District's Water Conservation Program is available through PROP to income-eligible homeowners who live in the Water District's service area. This service can reduce homeowners' water costs. PROP's Housing professionals assess the need for plumbing repair services (replacing faulty pipes, repairing or replacing plumbing fixtures, installing water-saving devices, etc.) free of charge, and then they hire local contractors to complete the work. To apply, call Randi Curato, at 842-2988 ext. 24.

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. 21

Home Repair Loan Program

The Home Repair loan program provides 1% loans, up to $15,000 to qualifying homeowners for needed home repairs and remodeling.  These loans are taylored to individual situations, so anything from crumbling foundations to a leaking roof is reason to apply. Please apply by calling Susan Joyce, at 842-2988 ext. 25.

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 Randi Curato, at 842-2988 ext. 24.

Home Ownership

PROP has programs specifically for new home buyers.

• Homeownership-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 874-1140 ext. 326. 

More: Home-Ownership Links

Rental Assistance

PROP offers two programs for rental assistance.

• Affordable Rental Housing and social services support are provided to families in over 20 units developed and managed by PROP. For more information, call Property Manager at 874-1140 ext. 337. 

More: Renters' Resources

Housing Development

Brown Street, Westbrook

R E V I T A L I Z A T I O N

First 3 condominium

units arrive from

the manufacturer.

Handicap accessible

first floor unit is set

on foundation in

2 sections.

The first section of

the second unit swings

into place on a crane.

Less than 12 hours

after arriving, all units

are assembled and final

roof section is added.

PROP has added 9 condominium units to Westbrook’s historic Frenchtown neighborhood, to provide new home ownership opportunities. The revitalization includes substantial rehab of three adjacent apartment buildings, to be sold as owner-occupied multi-family apartments, and a children’s playground and green space.

For information about affordable home ownership opportunities through PROP call 874-1140, ext.329. For affordable rentals, call ext. 337.

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 new rental units in Portland and Westbrook since that time. Now, with the most critical need ever for additional urban housing , we are involved in developing several innovative, low-impact projects. Our efforts have resulted in 52 new units of mixed income rental housing in the two cities by 2004, with another 19 units planned during 2005. The projects we are working on 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 12 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 broke ground on this ambitious project at the corner of Mellen & Grant Streets in May, 2004. The housing portion will be 16 units of 2 and 3 bedroom rental housing in Maine's most densely populated neighborhood. Construction time estimated at 10-12 months.
• Affordable owner occupied/rental housing, Westbrook: We have sold 7 of our Westbrook condominiums to first-time homeowners and another is ready for sale. Five more are in rehab. Target for completion: 2004.

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.

PROP's Parkside Neighborhood Center & Affordable Housing

PROP is committed to assuring non-discrimination in all aspects of program participation. No one will be denied access to any aspect of participation because of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, handicap, veteran status, or political affiliation or belief.

^TOP