Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, § 4762: Temporary Housing Assistance Program, 1993

The Temporary Housing Assistance Program must provide assistance to persons of low income to enable them to become tenants of rental housing units in the State. [PL 1993, c. 175, §9 (NEW).] 1. Operation. The state authority shall administer the program either directly or through regional contract agents. The program may be operated in conjunction with other programs of the state authority to achieve the purpose of this subchapter. [PL 1993, c. 175, §9 (NEW).] 2. Form and amount of assistance. Money in the fund may be used to provide assistance under the program in the form of loans or grants to make rental payments and finance security deposits on behalf of persons of low income. The state authority may establish limits from time to time on the amount of assistance available to applicants based on a determination of the average rental and security deposit costs in the area where the assistance is being provided. [PL 1993, c. 175, §9 (NEW).] 3. Provisions governing assistance. The program must be administered subject to the provisions in this section. Priority must be given to persons who demonstrate a need for assistance and the ability to repay a loan. A. The state authority, by rules adopted in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, shall establish priorities of assistance. These priorities must be based on the household income of the applicant, the demonstrated need for assistance, the ability to repay a loan and other criteria established by the state authority. [PL 1993, c. 175, §9 (NEW).] B. Grants may be provided only when: (1) The grant is essential to securing a decent, safe and sanitary rental unit for the applicant; (2) The income of the applicant is insufficient to repay any loan or portion of a loan; (3) All available resource alternatives have been exhausted; and (4) The applicant has satisfied all other program priorities and requirements as established by the state authority. [PL 1993, c. 175, §9 (NEW).] C. Loans from the fund may be made for a period based on the applicant's ability to repay the loan, not to exceed 12 months. Interest may be charged on loans based on the applicant's ability to repay the loan, not to exceed 3%. When an applicant can not repay the loan in full within the 12-month period, the state authority may extend the repayment period if the state authority determines that the loan can be repaid during the extension period. The state authority may defer or waive the payment of interest or principal on any loan or portion of a loan for which that payment is an undue hardship. [PL 1993, c. 175, §9 (NEW).] D. Assistance under the program must be provided on an ongoing basis to the extent that money is available in the fund. [PL 1993, c. 175, §9 (NEW).] [PL 1993, c. 175, §9 (NEW).] 4. Procedures. The state authority may adopt rules in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, by which the program must be implemented. [PL 1993, c. 175, §9 (NEW).]