SEPTEMBER 2021.VOL. 21, NO. 09. PORTLAND, MAINE.
PORTLAND’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER. FREE!
Rental Assistance: Your Questions Spencer Answered by Pine Tree Legal
LOCAL ELECTION 2021
On August 26th, the US Supreme Court struck down the Center for Disease Control’s order to temporary protect tenants from eviction for nonpayment of rent. There is now no restriction on evictions related to the pandemic. However, many Mainers are eligible for Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA), now available to certain income levels who have experienced financial hardship during the pandemic. Speaking with Pine Tree Legal Assistance, they believe many who may be eligible for rental assistance have not yet applied for it. They want to get the word out that the money is available to help keep people housed. So, here are some frequent questions about rental assistance with answers provided by the team at Pine Tree Legal Assistance, a nonprofit that provides free civil legal aid in Maine. Please call Pine Tree Legal Assistance if your landlord takes any action to evict you. This information is subject to change. Look for up-to-date information on Pine Tree Legal Assistance’s website at https:// ptla.org.
What does rental assistance help with? What if I’m behind on utilities, too? • Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) can help tenants pay their rent and utility bills for up to 18 months. • If you are struggling to pay for rent and utilities during the pandemic, you can apply for help through the Maine State Housing Authority website (https://www.mainehousing.org/programs-services/rental/rentaldetail/ covid-19-rental-relief-program).
Thibodeau Not Seeking Reelection
I don’t get other government benefits. Could I still be eligible for ERA? • You may be eligible for ERA even if you are not eligible for other income-based programs. • If you are not eligible for other benefits (like SNAP/food stamps) because your income or assets are too high, you may still be eligible for ERA.
I applied before and was denied… I didn’t apply because my financial hardship is not directly related to Covid-19… Or I did apply and used up all that I was eligible for… Should I apply again? • The rules for the ERA program changed in early August 2021 to include more people. • The biggest change is that you can now get ERA even if your financial hardship is not related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, if you experienced financial hardship during the pandemic that is enough. If this is your situation, you should re-apply. • The other substantial change is how much help is available. Tenants can now get 18 months of ERA. Previously, they could only get 15 months. If you had reached your 15-month limit for assistance, you could now get an additional 3 months of help. If this is your situation, you should re-apply.
What can I do if I’m denied Emergency Rental Assistance?
The mass eviction at this Grant Street apartment building in 2016 started a citywide conversation about a housing crisis that has since been made worse by the pandemic.-WEN file (Portland, 2016)
Is there a ban on evictions in Maine? • There is no eviction ban or eviction moratorium.
Page 5 Special Edition of The Portland Palate with Ruby's West End's Corrinna & Matt Stum
By Tony Zeli Portland District 2 City Councilor Spencer Thibodeau announced that he will not seek reelection for a third term. The open seat has attracted two candidates, Jon Hinck of Pine Street and Victoria Pelletier of Congress Street. Also, District 2 school board member Emily Figdor is running unopposed for reelection after serving her first three-year term. The election will be held on November 2nd.
• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued an order on August 3rd that gave temporary protection to some renters facing eviction for nonPortland’s second district overlays payment of rent. But on August 26th, one of the most diverse and densely the U.S. Supreme Court decided that populated tracts in all of Maine. The city the CDC did not have that power. district covers the neighborhoods of the • It has been very confusing for every- West End, Parkside, St. John/Valley Street, one, but the important thing to know and Oakdale/USM. City Councilor Spennow is that there is no eviction mor- cer Thibodeau has represented the district since December 2015. In August, atorium. Thibodeau announced that he would not Pine Tree Legal Assistance is avail- seek reelection. able to help if your landlord takes any A popular councilor, Thibodeau won action to evict you (https://www.ptla.org/ contact-us). We also give up-to-date pre- his second term with 67% of the vote over sentations on the eviction process every challenger Jon Torsch in 2018. Then he ran Tuesday at 9 a.m. You can watch the pre- an unsuccessful bid for Mayor in 2019. sentations, and ask an attorney questions During his time on city council, Thibodeau about the process, at this website: https:// consistently focused on investing in Portland’s infrastructure. Also, he pushed the www.ptla.org/fed. city to install bike lanes on Park Avenue Pine Tree Legal Assistance is a nonprofit or- and to set an emissions reduction goal of ganization that receives funding from the Legal 80% percent by 2050.
• Landlords also benefit from this program. Rent payments can be made You can call Pine Tree Legal Assistance for directly from the local Community help at (207) 622-4731 or visit https:// Services Corporation, the State of Maine, federal Action Program to the landlord. www.ptla.org/contact-us. grants, private foundations, and individuals.
Page 4 Portland City Councilor Spencer Thibodeau shares a letter to the neighborhood
Campaigns to fill City Council District 2 seat take shape; School Board member Emily Figdor runs unopposed for reelection
Page 7 New features arrive at the Northern Light Mercy Fore River campus
Cont'd on Pg. 3
Page 10-11 Layne's Wine Gig Presents: 3 Local Wine Lists for your enjoyment