Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Exploring Options Of The Brewer Housing Authority

By Jayne Rutledge


The city of Brewer housing authority was established in 1972 as a means to assist lower income people access reasonably priced homes while they attempted to improve the circumstances of their lives. As a not for profit, federally subsidized organization they control most properties available for lower income families. They also control properties designed for seniors and disabled persons.

There are a number of ways to obtain this type of rent relief starting with the section eight program. This program allows the agency to work with individual property owners by supplying vouchers for up to seventy percent of normal rental fees. When a property owner signs up to participate in the section eight program they technically hand over management of their property to someone else. The applicant pays their portion of the rent directly to the owner of the property and HUD reimburses them for the remainder.

The agency has also set aside apartments for seniors and disabled persons only. If you are a senior you must be sixty two or older to qualify. There are also income limits that need to be met regardless if you are disabled or a senior citizen. Rental costs will vary depending on the resident's income. It is calculated by deducting all cash medical expenses paid by the resident and then computing thirty percent of what is left. The deductions include medical insurance, doctor visits, and prescription costs.

Public housing differs slightly from the seniors in as much as they cater to families who may or may not have children living with them. There are one hundred fifty four of these units available for rent here. The rent is determined in much the same way but the deductions include other considerations regarding the children.

There are over twenty vouchers for properties outside the city of Brewer that this agency handles. Their jurisdiction also covers Holden, Orrington, and Eddington. These surrounding communities contain the twenty or so vouchers previously mentioned.

You may find that all or most waiting lists are closed when you inquire about an application. This happens because the number of subsidized units falls terribly short of meeting the need for it. Until more units are built or converted this will always be a problem. If you are lucky enough to get on the list you may have more than a year to wait before a unit becomes available for you to occupy.

Federal over sight assures you that the unit you rent will be in excellent condition when you take possession. The agency must with stand physical inspections of their property every two to three years. Any deficiencies are noted and must be corrected within thirty days.

The City of Brewer housing authority in Maine is one of many federally subsidized agencies available to persons who are in need of assistance obtaining an affordable home. The process may take applicants years to qualify but many find this an unavoidable issue. The end result is worth waiting for according to most applicants.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment