Behind on Rent? Here’s Where to Get Help in Cumberland, York and Androscoggin Counties
Falling behind on rent can happen to anyone: a reduced work schedule, a medical bill, a car repair. The most important thing is to act early. The sooner you reach out, the more options you have to catch up and stay in your home.
This guide lists programs in Southern and Central Maine that may be able to help you pay past-due rent. Most of them pay your landlord directly, and most need a few documents from you and from your property manager. If you rent from Foreside, we’re glad to provide whatever a program asks for.
Step 1: Talk to your property manager right away
Call or email your property manager, or call our main office at (207) 775-2325. We can talk about a payment plan, give you a current rent ledger, and complete the landlord forms that assistance programs require. Please don’t ignore notices about your rent. Many programs give priority to tenants who have received one, so keep them and bring them when you apply.
Step 2: Apply for help
Maine Eviction Prevention Program Open now
MaineHousing reopened its Eviction Prevention Program in September 2026. It can pay up to $9,600 in total: your past-due rent first, then up to 12 months of help with ongoing rent. Payments go straight to your landlord.
- Who may qualify: Maine renters who are behind on rent, with household income at or below 60% of the area median income. Your rent must be within the program’s limit for your area.
- Who doesn’t qualify: households with a Section 8 or other federal housing voucher, or living in subsidized housing. (See the note below if that’s you.)
- Who goes first: people who have been served court papers for eviction, then people with an eviction notice for unpaid rent, then people paying more than 30% of their income in rent.
- How to apply: online at evictionprevention.mainehousing.org or by phone at (207) 274-1240. The program is run by Project HOME, 75 Washington Ave, Suite 2F, Portland. Email: evictionprevention@projecthomemaine.org.
- Apply early. Funding is limited, and the program may close once the money is committed.
General Assistance from your city or town
Every Maine city and town runs a General Assistance (GA) program for people who can’t afford basic needs, including rent. You apply at the office of the town where you live, and GA usually pays your landlord directly. Contacts for the larger cities are listed below. For any other town, call your town office and ask for General Assistance.
- You get a written decision within 24 hours of a completed application. If you’re denied, you can appeal within 5 working days.
- Bring: photo ID, Social Security cards for your household, your lease, proof of all income for the last 30 days, recent bank statements, a list of your bills, and any notice about your rent.
- Questions about GA: Maine DHHS General Assistance line, 1-800-442-6003.
Other places to apply or ask
- DHHS Emergency Assistance (families with children under 21): a once-a-year emergency payment that can help with back rent when you have an eviction notice for unpaid rent. Call 1-855-797-4357 or visit a DHHS office (listed below).
- ProsperityME Housing Stability Support Program: up to $3,000 a year toward back rent or a deposit for households with very low income (below 30% of area median income) and no housing voucher. (207) 797-7890, 175 Lancaster St, Suite 216A, Portland. prosperityme.org. Call to confirm funds are available.
- 211 Maine: free, 24/7 help finding other local rent, utility or food assistance. Dial 211, call (866) 811-5695, or text your ZIP code to 898-211. 211maine.org
Have a Section 8 voucher or live in subsidized housing?
If your income has gone down, report it to your housing authority or caseworker right away and ask for your share of the rent to be recalculated. That can lower what you owe going forward. You can still apply for General Assistance and DHHS Emergency Assistance, and agencies that already help you (such as a case manager or GA) may be able to help with the past-due amount.
Local offices by county
Call ahead. Most General Assistance offices see people by appointment only, and hours change.
Cumberland County
York County
Androscoggin County
All three counties
Biddeford (207) 286-2400
Sanford (207) 490-5400
Lewiston (207) 795-4300
Checklist: what to have ready
- Photo ID for adults in your household
- Your lease and the amount of your monthly rent
- Proof of household income for the last 30 days (pay stubs, benefit letters)
- Recent bank statements
- Any notice about past-due rent or eviction
- A current rent ledger from your property manager (just ask us)
- Your property manager’s contact information, so the program can reach us for landlord forms
Frequently asked questions
Will the program pay me or my landlord?
Almost all of these programs pay your landlord directly. The Eviction Prevention Program, General Assistance and DHHS Emergency Assistance all send payment to the landlord.
Can I apply to more than one program?
Yes. Many renters combine help, for example General Assistance for one month and the Eviction Prevention Program for the rest. Let each program know about any other help you’ve received or applied for.
I have a housing voucher. Can I get help?
You can’t use the Eviction Prevention Program, but you can apply for General Assistance and DHHS Emergency Assistance. If your income has dropped, report it to your housing authority right away so your share of the rent can be recalculated.
What does Foreside need to do?
Most programs ask the landlord for a W-9, a copy of the lease and a rent ledger. Tell your property manager which program you’ve applied to and we’ll send what they need.
Behind on rent? Let’s talk.
Our team will work with you on a plan and help with program paperwork.
Call (207) 775-2325Programs, funding and contact information change often. This guide is current as of October 2026. If a number has changed, dial 211 for the latest information. Foreside Real Estate Management does not run these programs and cannot guarantee that any application will be approved.