Bath Housing administers 280 Housing Choice Vouchers. This program is the federal government’s major program for assisting very low-income families, seniors, and disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing available in the private market.
In the HCV program, families generally pay 30% of their income towards housing. This includes rent plus utilities, known as gross rent. The amount of the subsidy paid by Bath Housing depends on the Payment Standard adopted for each apartment size (number of bedrooms). Additional to rent subsidy, Bath Housing has a Utility Allowance based on the size of unit for the cost of utilities not included in rent. Whatever the total amount of the landlord owed rent plus BHA Utility Allowance that is over 30% of the voucher holder’s income will be paid for by BHA. If the gross rent for a unit exceeds the Payment Standard, a housing choice voucher holder may choose to pay the higher rent. However, a family with a choice voucher is not allowed to move into a unit where 40% of its adjusted income goes to rent.
LANDLORD INCENTIVES
Maine landlords are key to addressing our state’s affordable housing needs. That’s why Bath Housing is working with MaineHousing and the Maine Association of Public Housing Directors (MAPHD) to encourage landlords across the state to become part of our network of property owners who rent to Housing Choice Voucher participants. The incentive programs include a $750 signing bonus for each newly-leased HCV tenant, repair grants, and damage reimbursements. The program also pays HCV tenant security deposits. Effective April 1, 2024, LIHTC projects are not eligible for the signing bonus, repair grants, and damage reimbursements. For more information, click here.
OCCUPANCY STANDARDS
| Family Size | Bedrooms |
| 1-2 people | 1 |
| 2-4 people | 2 |
| 3-6 people | 3 |
| 4-8 people | 4 |
| 6-10 people | 5 |
BATH HOUSING AUTHORITY 2024 PAYMENT STANDARDS (effective January 1, 2024)
| # Bedrooms | Payment Standard |
| 0 | $1,017 |
| 1 | $1,227 |
| 2 | $1,501 |
| 3 | $2,115 |
| 4 | $2,547 |
**HUD requires a pro-rated payment standard for special housing types, such as congregate or group home arrangements
Click here for a detailed description of the Program (note: this is a sample packet): HCV Briefing Packet SAMPLE
Click here for information about Allowances for Tenant-Furnished Utilities and Other Services: 2022 Utility Allowances
You can download Bath Housing Authority’s HCV Administrative Plan. This was most recently updated on 4/1/2024.