What Actually is Affordable Housing in Maine? And Do You Qualify?

You’ve probably heard the term “affordable housing”, let’s break down what that means here in Maine — because finding a place to live here that doesn’t drain your wallet can be a challenge in the current times. According to MaineHousing, housing is considered “affordable” if the household spends no more than 30% of its income on housing related costs.

Let’s break this down in mathematical terms: If you're earning about $3,000 a month, a place under $900 in rent is technically "affordable." After reading that, you were probably saying to yourself, “ummm, where are these places charging $900/month?” Great question. They’re out there, but in Maine’s hotter rental markets, like Portland, finding anything close to that right now is nearly impossible. 

According to Zip Recruiter, the average yearly income for a Maine worker is $58,279. 

That said, Affordable Housing programs are usually geared towards individuals and families making less than the median income for the area. In Maine, this varies by county, but typically, if you're earning 60% or less of the median income (around $40,000 for a single person), you might qualify. 

In short, affordable housing in Maine is in high demand, and qualifying for it often depends on your income level and location. Programs like Section 8 and other local programs aim to help lower and middle-income Mainers find a place that won’t drain their paycheck each month. As housing prices remain high, more support is being directed toward expanding affordable options across the state. So, while scoring an affordable place may feel like hitting the jackpot, keep an eye on these programs — they’re here to help make Maine living a bit more manageable.