Rental Assistance-COVID-19 Rent Relief Program

COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Update

Per instructions from Maine Housing—

As of September 29, 2022 at 5:00 p.m., the Emergency Rental Assistance Program is no longer accepting new applications. If you have previously submitted an application to this program, it will be processed and a determination of any benefit amount for eligible applicants will be based on the funding available at the time of processing.

The Emergency Rental Assistance program originated with federal funds from the U.S. Treasury allocated for disbursement in direct response to the emergent circumstances created by the COVID -19 pandemic. The State of Maine—Maine Housing—received these federal funds for the purpose of pandemic Emergency Rental Assistance and distributed them through Maine’s Community Action Agencies, of which DCP is one (of ten, statewide.) DCP and its sister Community Action Agencies have served solely as conduits of disbursement for the federally funded Emergency Rental Assistance program.

The Emergency Rental Assistance program has served a great purpose in down east Maine. Since the program began, DCP has served 1,162 households comprised of 2,447 people, providing $8,032,932.87 of rental assistance in our communities.

However, this program was never intended to be permanent. It was an emergency response to the unprecedented circumstances and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that the emergency status of the pandemic has passed, the Emergency Rental Assistance is ending.

With Maine Housing’s announcement on September 29, 2022, new applications for Emergency Rental Assistance will not be accepted. Applicants who are presently being served through a previously approved application will continue to be served, according to the allowances of total months funded and the income eligibility as set forth in Maine Housing’s program guide, and as funding permits.

For more information on Maine Housing's decision to pause acceptance of new Emergency Rental Assistance applications, visit the Maine Housing website.

If you have questions about the Emergency Rental Assistance program, see Maine Housing's Emergency Rental Assistance FAQ page.