If you’re behind on rent and worried about losing your home, there’s real help available again. Starting Monday, September 21, 2026, Maine’s Eviction Prevention Program is open for new applications. It can pay off rent you already owe and help with future rent too — and the money goes straight to your landlord, so you never have to handle it yourself.

What the program does

This program is run by MaineHousing, along with a nonprofit called Project Home. If you’re approved, it can:

• Pay off back rent you owe, up to $9,600
• Cover up to 12 more months of rent after that, so you have time to get back on your feet
• Pay your landlord directly, not you — it’s built to protect you and your landlord

A similar program ran back in 2024 and helped around 1,300 Maine households stay in their homes. It ran out of money within about a month. So if you think this might help you, it’s worth applying right away instead of waiting.

Do you qualify?

You may qualify if all of the following are true for you:

• You rent your home in Maine, and it’s the place you actually live
• You’re behind on rent and worried you could be evicted because of it
• You owe $9,600 or less in back rent
• Your household income is on the lower end for your area (the program calls this “60% of area median income” — the exact number depends on your county and family size, so don’t try to calculate it yourself; just apply and they’ll check)

A few other rules apply too, like your rent needing to be reasonably close to typical rents in your area, and if you already have a housing voucher or live in certain subsidized housing, this particular program may not apply to you. If you’re not sure whether you qualify, the easiest thing to do is apply and let Project Home tell you for certain.

Who gets helped first

There’s only so much funding, so applications are reviewed in this order:

1. You’ve already been formally sued for eviction by your landlord
2. You’ve received a written notice that you’re being evicted for not paying rent
3. You’re spending more than 30% of your income on rent, even without a notice yet

Everyone else is reviewed in the order they applied. And if you applied before and were turned down when the program ran out of money back in 2024, you’re welcome to apply again now.

How to apply

1. Go online starting September 21 through MaineHousing’s website.
2. Or call Project Home at (207) 274-1240 if you’d rather apply by phone.
3. Have these ready: a photo ID, proof of your address and rent amount, proof of income (pay stubs, a tax return, unemployment paperwork, or a letter from your employer), and your eviction notice or proof of what you owe.
4. Be patient after you apply. Project Home has to confirm the details with your landlord before any money moves, so plan on at least two weeks, sometimes longer.

If you set up an account when you apply, you can log back in anytime to check your status.

Staying ahead of it next time

Getting caught up is only half the picture — staying caught up matters just as much. Alongside this program, Maine has free resources built to help with budgeting and everyday expenses, and they’re worth using whether or not you ever fall behind again:

• 2-1-1 Maine (dial 211 or visit 211maine.org) — one call can connect you to local budgeting help and other support you may not know you qualify for
• Free financial coaching is available through several Maine nonprofits and can help you build a simple monthly budget that keeps rent on track
• Home energy assistance (LIHEAP) can lower your heating costs, which frees up more of your income for rent the rest of the year
• If you already receive a housing subsidy, ask your caseworker whether you qualify for additional support — many households are eligible for more help than they realize
• If you’re a current Foreside tenant, you can also ask our Resident Service Coordinator for help connecting you to services you may qualify for

A little planning goes a long way. Pairing this program with a working budget and the right support services is what actually keeps a household housed for the long run.

Frequently asked questions

What is Maine’s Eviction Prevention Program?
It’s a state-funded program run by MaineHousing and Project Home that helps Maine renters who are behind on rent avoid eviction. It pays past-due rent, and in many cases future rent, directly to the landlord.

When does it reopen?
New applications open on Monday, September 21, 2026, through MaineHousing’s website or by calling Project Home.

How much rental assistance can I get?
Up to $9,600 in past-due rent, plus up to 12 additional months of forward rental assistance once the arrears are paid off.

Who qualifies?
Renters in Maine who are behind on rent, owe $9,600 or less, and have household income at or below 60% of the area median income for their county, along with a few additional rent and housing-type requirements.

How do I apply?
Apply online through MaineHousing’s website starting September 21, 2026, or call Project Home at (207) 274-1240.

Does it pay me or my landlord?
Funds are paid directly to the landlord, not the tenant.

Have questions?