Eviction court cases can resume in Maine on August 3. A recent U.S. Census survey found 9% of Maine residents (29,000 people) could not pay rent in June, and 14% of renters (43,000) expressed concern about being able to pay their July rent. To try to stave off a major eviction crisis, Governor Mills has announced that Maine will be supplementing Maine's rental assistance program with an additional $5 million in order to double monthly payments. We will hear from two Maine Public Housing Authorities about the scope of the problem, what kind of impact the $5 million will make and where people can turn for help. We’ll also hear from a landlord and tenants’ organizations, and learn about the challenges of providing more affordable housing.
Guests
- Mike Myatt, executive director, Bangor Housing Authority
- Cheryl Session, executive director, Portland Housing Authority
- Dana Totman, president & CEO, Avesta Housing
- Buster Leen, president, Greater Bangor Apartment Owners and Managers Association
- Rachelle Parise, attorney, Pine Tree Legal Assistance
- Robyn Tucker, board chair, Portland Housing Authority
Resources
- Portland Could See Thousands Of Evictions As Court Hearings Resume
- 'Tsunami' Of Evictions Feared As Extra $600 Unemployment Payments End
- Maine Joins Several Dozen States In Taking Action On Evictions Amid Pandemic
- 'Still A Long Ways To Go' For A New Coronavirus Relief Package
- Mills Administration To Expand Rental Assistance Program, As Pandemic Continues To Take A Toll
- Maine doubles rent relief as evictions resume and unemployment benefits drop
- Portland City Officials Hold 'Listening Session' With Members Of City's Homeless Population
- Tiny House Villages in Seattle: An Efficient Response to Our Homelessness Crisis
- Maine State Housing Authority
- Quality Housing Coalition
- Maine Centralized Section 8 Waiting List