Maine Public Housing Tenants Face Eviction at High Rates. A New Program to Keep Renters Housed Excludes Them.

Maine lawmakers created a fund to help public housing tenants at risk of losing their homes.

But public housing authorities' rules exclude them from returning to government-subsidized units.

Public housing is supposed to be affordable for low-income families, the elderly and people with disabilities.

The Stable Home Fund provides eligible households with up to $800 a month for one year .

Since 2019 , Maine public housing authorities went to court to evict low-income tenants about 1,300 times.

Presque Isle Housing Authority filed nearly one eviction suit for every five of its public housing units in 2023 .

Three-quarters of those cases were in the rural 2nd Congressional District, which includes Gallagher-Garcia’s hometown.

The housing authority says evictions are necessary because it relies on consistent rental payments.

Gallagher-Garcia was evicted from public housing in 2022 .

She had to stay near Presque Isle because that’s where her job was.