Augusta Housing Authority - Augusta, ME

About Augusta Housing Authority

The Augusta Housing Authority (AHA) is a quasi-municipal public agency committed to providing safe, decent, and affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate-income individuals and families in Augusta, Maine. Established in 1979 by a city council resolution, the agency has grown from a small staff administering basic certificates to a key community institution managing a diverse portfolio of housing programs.

Key Programs and Services

The AHA administers several critical programs funded primarily by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):

• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8): This is the agency's primary rental assistance program, allowing very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to rent housing in the private market. Participants pay a portion of their income towards rent, while the AHA subsidizes the remainder.
• Public Housing: The authority owns and manages affordable housing units within the city, providing stable living environments for eligible residents.
• Affordable Housing Development: In recent years, AHA has actively developed new properties, such as the Hodgkins School Apartments and Maple Street Apartments, to increase the local stock of workforce and senior housing.

Landlord and Tenant Resources

Beyond direct housing provision, the AHA serves as a resource for local landlords, offering a Landlord Portal for managing rental information and payments. The agency also operates a Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, designed to help voucher holders obtain employment and achieve economic independence. The FSS program can even assist qualified families in purchasing their own homes through the Homeownership option.

Office Hours and Accessibility

The Augusta Housing Authority maintains specific hours for public access. Walk-in hours are strictly limited to Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM. During other times, the office is closed to the public, and meetings are by appointment only. A secure drop box is available Monday through Friday for document submission. The office is located at 1 Weston Court (often listed as Weston St), near the heart of Augusta.