Maine public housing tenants face eviction at high rates

[@Paradoxicalawarness]

The amount of rent is in itself a crime.

[@OldsmobileCutlassSupremeConver]

It's too low. 😊

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

So don’t rent, buy a place to live

[@Paradoxicalawarness]

@frederickmuhlbauer9477 what an ignorant statement. Do you not realize how many people can not afford to buy a home anymore, let alone afford the outrageous cost to rent? 😒. Honestly!! Some peoples kids.

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

@@Paradoxicalawarness Ignorant lol Hey you’re the one who is complaining about house prices and rents in Maine How about relocating to somewhere outside of the USSA where life can be sweet I did and own 4 properties in Europe

[@OldsmobileCutlassSupremeConver]

@@Paradoxicalawarness should have tried leaning something when you had time! This county is full of opportunity. now, after partying your life away, you want workers to carry your water.

[@fisherman5845]

I live in rural Maine the road I live on has 20 houses 4 of them are owned massholles 3 are air BNB there are thousands of empty houses in Maine we don't have a housing shortage we have a problem with rich people hording houses

[@cumberlandquiltchic1]

Seems to be a common theme in most places. It’s that way here in WNC before Helen. It’s greater now- people still living in tents - it’s beyond repair for now. Sone towns won’t let them live in tents or have donated sheds with insulation etc because of building codes. Who cares about building codes right now! They’ve lost everything and it’s winter! Insurance isn’t paying because no flood insurance. It’s a real mess and not on the news 3 months later…. Meanwhile people want to buy their land. Govt says sone can’t be ever built on again. Nothing for anyone to rent here it’s all air bnb n rich people own it all

[@ScottShedd123]

New Hampshire here, if it's not the massholes it's the New Yorkers 😂 They buy a bunch of dumps, do no repairs and raise the rent. Or turn everything into VRBO or Air BNB. Stayed in a few for my job in Manchester, it's ridiculous they were perfectly good apartments to provide housing for full time renters.

[@trekgirl65]

hoarding. Use spellcheck

[@BREEZYM6015]

What is a massholles?

[@williamwilson6499]

Are they hoarding punctuation also?

[@stevem-h5e]

40% OF THE HOMELESS ARE EMPLOYED, THE SO-CALLED "WORKING POOR." YOU BETTER FIGURE IT OUT, BECAUSE IT AIN'T GONNA GET BETTER.

[@smokingjoe9864]

Get a better job, pay rent like the rest of us.

[@copyprint-fz2hb]

and yet people in maine keep voting blue 🤣

[@smokingjoe9864]

@copyprint-fz2hb if the property owner doesn't want to accept rent vouchers, that is the owners' business. They can pay rent like everyone else.

[@austinballard6815]

​@@smokingjoe9864lol you really don't get it do you. We're talking about rural Maine here....

[@austinballard6815]

@@smokingjoe9864 you get a better job...

[@aajs4607]

So, you are not going to explain why the rates are so high or what caused her to be evicted? Not much of an investigation. You just kept repeating that the rates were high. Could have used more context.

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

Why don’t the two sisters share a place ? Problem solved

[@cathyann6835]

In most instances, if they lived together to rent the place, they wouldn’t qualify for rent assistance or any other help they may receive with food, utilities etc. So they would probably both end up on the street. This is why she probably “visits” all day, then sleeps at a shelter. Assistance goes by total household income. It’s hard even for elderly to rent out a room to help with income, if it cuts into anything else you might qualify for, like healthcare perks.

[@UncleDavesKitchen]

'Public housing' means exactly what? Is this vouchers? says 'last stop before homelessness". What exactly does that mean? News should identify terms used in a segment. Why are these people being evicted? Not paying rent, abuse of property, crime, what? Why was this woman able to pay rent a year ago and not today? She's on some subsidized housing why is she not able to pay rent? Topic not covered well at all.

[@peterwaugh4734]

One example is failed inspection. You have to be clean as a glass tube rose. I can do it. I eat at the grocery store cafe and I need a sock handy or I'd better not use a telephone.

[@LindaMerchant-bq2hp]

Or falling back into homelessness maybe should some say of stayed homeless with these landlords just at will evicting you could be great tenants pay rent on time cause no problems with other especially section8 tenants and still oust decent tenants

[@UncleDavesKitchen]

@@LindaMerchant-bq2hp when you rescue some people they become dependent rather than grateful for a gift. some would rather be taken care of than to provide for themselves. You got to pull out the weeds to make room for the flowers.

[@michellem6826]

Yes, lots of unanswered questions.

[@californiadreamer2580]

The reason given for this person who was evicted is because she " was behind on her rent". In an already subsidized unit? Why was she behind?

[@ggirardin2014]

I thought subsidized housing meant the rent is based on a small percentage of tenants actual income? How did she “ fall behind”?

[@austinballard6815]

@@ggirardin2014 I know this should have been addressed....other than her own budget issues, I'd say some kind of rent increase that was unexpected, or loss or reduction in subsidy, again, unexpected. Just wish they'd covered why.

[@geanettepartington691]

Because she did not pay what little bit she owed, which she had agreed to pay. I have been homeless with a baby, & I have been on Texas AFDC in 1982. They give you a little bit of help, then wait for you to break their rules. And in Texas ... it was $85 a month. Try living off of that, see how far you get?

[@austinballard6815]

@@geanettepartington691 you mean could not pay...

[@Joce123]

I would expect it to be higher because low-income housing people are less able to handle emergencies financially.

[@fawn1785]

At 67, I work a part-time job. I have a fairly good retirement income, yet feel the benefits of working out weigh the temptation of just staying home. My advice, always make yourself employable. Too many seniors argue that their poor health or obesity won't allow them to work. Even light physical labor provides exercise, routines, socialization, and extra income. Win! Win!

[@austinballard6815]

That's just not for everyone...my mother is 75, and frankly she's just too frail to be working, and she's been long retired. Thankfully she gets a good pension. I feel bad for those that don't. And let's remember as lot of employers simply won't hire people that are obviously "old", or presumed to be not in top health. Age catches up sooner or later

[@fawn1785]

@austinballard6815 You are absolutely right. I hope to work until I reach 70 years old.

[@trekgirl65]

You aught to be ashamed of yourself, putting down the blind, those who cannot walk and stand for long periods. You need to find compassion, for you will find yourself crippled in a few years and depending on others when you have no more retirement money as you are enjoying it now. You will have meds to buy, co-pays for the doctor visits. It will drain your savings as you get OLDER. Not easy being handicapped and it will happen to you very sooner than later.

[@fasteddie7276]

Claim migrant status and everything will be just fine.

[@sandib4234]

🤢

[@clairelivefreeordie2551]

Maybe they should head down to Sanford Maine & camp outside the brand new "affordable housing apartments" they've built there *originally slated for low income Mainers* & is now "rented out" to our "newcomers" for 2 YEARS...They don't have to worry about rent as Mariners are footing tve bill. Yeah, go hang out there!

[@jeanah685]

Even in public housing you have to follow the rules and pay your rent every month and on time. You have investigated nothing and imparted zero information.

[@californiadreamer2580]

I thought the same thing. Federally subsidized on a sliding scale housing is generally for disabled , with income like SSI, or very low income employed. Don't really see how she could have "got behind" on rent that was a fraction of fair market prices, unless she was irresponsible about her finances.

[@austinballard6815]

@@californiadreamer2580 ...or the rent was raised 🤔. Either actually or in effect. Subsidy reduction would have the same effect.

[@californiadreamer2580]

@austinballard6815 for section 8 tenants in Maine, rental increases must be approved in advance by Maine Housing authority. Even with an increase, Section 8 pays anything above 30% of the tenant income, unless tenant loses their section 8 eligibility for some reason. There are also fairly clear eviction laws. Since there was no explanation at all of why the person was behind in their rent, and the eviction was upheld, it appears that tenant had the means to pay it but chose not to without a legitimate reason.

[@vivalaleta]

You say how much the hotel stay cost but I'd like to know the SS she's getting and the monthly payment costs of the public housing.

[@TomokoAbe_]

Amazing though people have plent of money to travel during holidays--air travel are in the millions

[@jermainec2462]

Lol they may not be these people 😂😂

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

I doubt these are the same people who can’t pay their rent but you never know

[@ZenLif3]

We're so surprised..... ever since we jacked up housing rated 300%, poor people can't survive... like, no way, man...

[@sierravista9013]

What is wrong with the state? WTF

[@OldsmobileCutlassSupremeConver]

I'd bet $5. The reporter doesn't own or operate a rental. It's a tough business. I would never rent to a Section 8 client. The money is not worth dealing with people with no job! In California the extra money for back rent never gets to the Landlord.

[@danishpastrydelight]

It is incredibly tough and we have to deal with the perception that if we own rentals, we are all rich. I would never rent to people on a benefit, as we say here.

[@trekgirl65]

Not all on Section 8 are bad people, Karen. And someday you will need public assistance like Section 8. They will come to your Karen comment and say, "No she does not need Section 8, she shamed the good people that are on it.

[@OldsmobileCutlassSupremeConver]

@@trekgirl65 Most are bad news. I've had over 100 section 8 clients. out of all of them. less than all the fingers on one hand were worth the trouble. we sold out of the apartment business, The Advocates / Attorneys are carving out a lot for themselves now. causing Blight.

[@vgentry83]

In my opinion it doesn't matter if it's public housing, a private landlord, or a commercial apartment building, pay the rent, keep the place clean, don't damage it and you won't be evicted. If there is a landlord issue and they won't resolve it, move! Plain and simple

[@austinballard6815]

Then you have little understanding of what public housing is actually for. It's to support the low income....not everyone can afford 2000 a month. You might find yourself in that situation some day.

[@vgentry83]

​@@austinballard6815 I didn't say anything about $2,000 a month! I don't care if the rent is $2 a month! If that's what the rent is then pay it! I don't care who the landlord is, public housing or who!

[@austinballard6815]

@@vgentry83 no, you're missing the point entirely.

[@austinballard6815]

@vgentry83 explain how public housing works then....

[@vgentry83]

@@austinballard6815 no your Missing the point! Public housing is there o provide affordable housing to low income families but that negates the fact that rent, whatever the amount is, still needs to be paid!

[@ldahl04]

Let Stephen King contribute! Bet he dosen't

[@annjames1837]

Leftist are known to be charitable

[@LindaMerchant-bq2hp]

Let elon musk donate you know he wont

[@LindaMerchant-bq2hp]

Let elon musk donate I bet he wouldn't

[@cherylcampbell7495]

The democrat moved to republican Florida. Stopped buying his books years ago. Keep politics out. Write something interesting or good.😂

[@annjames1837]

@@ldahl04 left ist are know to be very charitable

[@GoodBeets4ME]

"used to be" that landlords didnt view tenants as a cash crop. Good tenants helped the landlord by caring for the home and letting them know any issues that needed to be fixed. The money was in the value of the real estate, not the tenant. Now its greed. Lot of the homeless in Portland (that most seem to despise) are unhoused people from the rest of Maine.

[@UncleDavesKitchen]

and tenants trash the properties, took advantage of the pandemic free rent for 2 years. It's both sides at fault.

[@sugarfree8303]

​​​@@UncleDavesKitchen well, my husband and I along with 5 other families were evicted last February because the building was purchased and the new owner wanted to renovate to charge higher rent. NONE of the tenants had trashed their homes nor was anyone in arrears on rent. So we had to relocate to Augusta in thanks that hubby's employer gave him a transfer. Fast forward to 2 days ago..The place we live in now ..the tenants all received a notice from the Augusta Water district that our water will be disconne ted on Dec. 18th due to non-payment of the bill by the landord. Yesterday..wake up to no heat nor hot water. So I presume he didn't pay that bill either. Heat and hotwater are included in our rent so where is our rent money going. 5 units ranging from $1100.00_ $1600.00. Where's the money going? Tenants have no protections and I am SICK of being effed over by landlords.

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

I’m one of those old school landlords and rent my place well below market to get a good reliable tenant who can afford the place

[@dcg590]

That’s FALSE. Landlords have always viewed their properties as income.

[@UncleDavesKitchen]

@@dcg590 it is income. They need to make money on very expensive investments. Why buy a property for $250K and lose money on it?

[@bigbadbubba099]

I guess public housing rates are way too much for very poor people so what good are they. My elderly friends SS is 1000.mo.but her pubilc housing costs that. How can she survive?😢

[@californiadreamer2580]

@@bigbadbubba099 she could move to an area where rents are more affordable or downsize. Something sounds very off. If it's truly "public housing" as you have said, rents, which are subsidized, are usually set as a *percentage* of income, generally no more than 30%. Is she still living in an apartment that she lived in with more family members?

[@bigbadbubba099]

@@californiadreamer2580 No but I was wrong ...not public but low cost senior housing and it's a very small one room studio apt. You are right about public housing. Sorry. And she's in Florida

[@californiadreamer2580]

@@bigbadbubba099 Your friend is living in one of the most popular and expensive States to live in the US, like California and Arizona. Just a rough look at studio apartment rents in FLA. indicate that her's is at least 500 dollars less than most. So how did she even qualify to rent the apartment in the first place? I still don't think you're getting an accurate story from her. Many other states have much more affordable costs of living.

[@stevem-h5e]

A hard rain's a comin'.

[@notanomad9320]

It would be nice to know what Linda's budget is. She was paying $1,000 a month until the money ran out? Could she move in with her sister?

[@austinballard6815]

Unfortunately most public housing leases won't allow that, for someone to just move in. Going on the lease too might push the (combined) income above the threshold. That's just one guess....this story left a lot to be desired.

[@morganstewart-kp2dy]

War on poor it’s obvious that rent is too high

[@CM-sm6rs]

Is Maine sure who their representatives work fot?

[@JoshuaTrinityWolf-dc4up]

In our mine company village in northern Canada growing up in 1966 a nice 2 story home was $ 28.00 a month rent. INCO was the mine company with a head office in New York USA. Today with inflation it would be $ 276.00 a month NOT $ 2,776 or more today for the same house.

[@captng]

Not just housing... inflation has a new normal. My g-dad paid 5 cents a gallon for gas and based on inflation gas would be 25 cents.. 😂😂😂

[@sagepirotess6312]

No. 60 years, sounds like 2k+ is right. California minimum wage just from 2007 to 2024 went from 7.25 to 23 dollars. And that's like 15 years.

[@captng]

@sagepirotess6312 currently California's minimum wage is $16.50 with fast food at 20 I will admit in a resort town in California. The effective minimum wage is $21.50. that's because it cost a lot to live in a resort town

[@sagepirotess6312]

@captng well I am close enough. I actually heard the news that in 2025 the wage goes up. As California residents voted for it. But again I been outside USA since 2008 besides a few visits to see family.

[@captng]

@sagepirotess6312 oh absolutely was not trying to call you on the carpet.. you are absolutely right January 1st of every year since 2015 the wage increases and it will be going up.. this is worked out really well for Big box Chainz... However if you look around in central California you'll see them small mom and pop businesses are no longer able to afford the high cost of doing business in California so again the big box chains will at some point have a huge huge advantage..

[@morganstewart-kp2dy]

Why is public housing not affordable?

[@cathycharron-folsom4504]

A lot of section 8 people trash place. I have friend who stopped renting to anyone in northern Maine because of drugs, destruction of property, seniors who should be in assisted living because they can’t keep up with themselves or the property ( cleanliness). Rural Maine is harder to survive because of cost of living, the ability to get medical care and shopping especially if they can’t afford a car or drive car. The poor people spend most money on car ownership, food, and phones, etc.

[@Nicole-m8m]

In CT two sisters I feel your pain

[@cherylcampbell7495]

Blue state. Run

[@MargDBX]

Statement makes no sense. Red states have more issues.

[@datanation17]

That should create homes for other people

[@gohome678]

The guy with the glasses sounds like he's part of the problem he can't explain to what's really going on

[@Nicole-m8m]

Look at the guys hair whoa

[@dennistyler9852]

Bed head, lol

[@stevem-h5e]

You can't stay on point, can you?

[@richardlawrence3770]

That guy might be a woman.

[@oldbuzzard8536]

Not with that crazy hair. Did his mother forget to comb it??

[@ARMINIUS-d8n]

it's a new hairstyle and it's called hurricane.

[@austinballard6815]

This is poor reporting. Nothing is ever explained about how much was subsidized or how much rent is for that woman who was evicted for falling behind on it...she was living there only two years... something ckearly happened. Also, in a general way, what are the main causes of these evictions? Typically those in public housing are subsideized renters...working poor, the retired on fixed incone like SS or disability...what was the breakdown of these evictions? You have to go ar least a few months usually before actual eviction proceedings begin to roll...and with public housing, thats a little disturbing if it was just trouble paying the rent....

[@ponderinglife5582]

Revelation 21: 3 and 4,,this new government will be free of money and you can build your own house and both you sisters can live there for free,,best wishes and i have this fear myself,,,take 1 day at a time,,ive gone hour by hour or minute by minute to get through trauma,,,please make time for self care of each other,,comfort each other,,not everyone has a sibling,,pray for free bible study!!

[@theresekirkpatrick3337]

Grew up in public housing in Maine so i joined the army in 85 and gtfo. Winter from September through may. Rude people and so expensive. I have visited family and like the rest of the country its going downhill. Public housing traps you. No incentive to do better. My stepdad would get a raise at work and rent went up. 😢 it should be incentivized and mandatory drug testing. Working people have to test. I know too many people sitting home watching 8 babies they can’t afford and expecting us to support their decisions. Seniors and veterans and working parents are the only ones entitled to it. Too many ducking on the system. Now millions more illegal invaders to house. So sad

[@pinchebruha405]

If your using street drugs and partying all day then zero sympathy for you

[@MissTomiAnneTimmMS]

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

[@DJ-vj4vi]

Pay your rent. Get a job.

[@smokingjoe9864]

Pay rent like everyone else.

[@daniels.3062]

Poor people in public housing get evicted at a higher rate...ya dont say?!?!? I think we all figured that.

[@Nicole-m8m]

He must have a xbox or ps4 in that room housing crisis for real

[@annfoster6116]

Democratic state ?

[@christinegagnon6622]

😷

[@nickvideos123]

ASASSADASD

[@SALTEDRUBY4]

Did this woman apply 4 rmergency assistance b4 the eviction??? Why cant the 2 sisters live in a 2bedroom???,

[@alphazero1393]

Just say your Venezuelan. You'll be good right after.