What are the eligibility criteria for renting VHI housing?
To qualify for VHI rental housing, applicants must meet the requirements listed in VHI's Eligibility Criteria which can be found here. These criteria include (1) household income that is below certain income limits to comply with the Maine Housing grant (below 120% of the AMI for Knox County); (2) financial viability to pay the rent for the unit; and (3) housing unit size compatibility. Applicants who meet these baseline criteria are further evaluated under VHI's Tenant Selection Policy, which includes background checks (credit and criminal) and preferences for curren Vinalhaven residents.
How is income eligibility determined and verified?
To be eligible for VHI housing, an applicant's household income must be below 120% of the AMI (Area Median Income) for Knox County:
VHI requires applicants to complete an income certification form that Maine Housing provides here.
VHI may require additional documentation such as tax returns, wage stubs, or utility bills to verify income eligibility.
Is there a residency consideration?
Yes. While VHI will evaluate all income-eligible applicants using the same objective criteria, VHI's Tenant Selection Policy does allow VHI to give preference to current residents who live year-round on Vinalhaven.
What is the application process?
When a new unit or vacated unit becomes available VHI will notify the community through the VHI website, social media channels, and public community channels (such as The Wind, the community board located at the Post Office, and Vinalhaven Community Facebook pages).
The notice will provide details on the size of the available unit, the occupancy limit, the household income eligibility limit, and the deadline for submitting the application and income certification.
Application forms and income certifications will be available on the VHI website here or at VHI's office. Interested applicants will need to complete both forms by the deadline in the notice. They will also be required to consent to background checks.
How are applicants selected?
VHI's Tenant Selection Committee will evaluate applications based on the factors listed in VHI's Tenant Selection Policy (link). The Committee will first review all applications for baseline eligibility. Applications that do not meet the baseline criteria listed in VHI's Eligibility Criteria, including household income limit, financial viability and occupancy limit, will be notified that they are not eligible for VHI housing.
All other applications will be reviewed by the Committee and evaluated based on the factors listed in VHI's Tenant Selection Policy.
What are the factors that VHI considers in rejecting an applicant?
The Tenant Selection Committee will conduct an initial screening of all applications received in a timely manner to establish baseline eligibility for VHI housing. The following reasons will exclude an applicant from further consideration:
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Applicant is under age 18
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Household income exceeds the income eligibility limit
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Household size exceeds the unit occupancy limit
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Rent would exceed 30% of applicant's income
Other factors, including criminal records and poor tenant history, can exclude an applicant from further consideration for a VHI unit. Those factors are listed in VHI's Tenant Selection Policy here.
Are tenants required to pay monthly rent?
Yes. Tenants must pay monthly rent.
How is the rent determined?
The VHI housing units at 16 East Boston Road are rent-restricted under Maine Housing affordability rules. That means that the rent cannot exceed 30% of the unit's AMI limit divided by 12.
For example, for an individual living in one of VHI's smaller units, the maximum rent VHI can charge is $2,067 per month (1/12th of 30% of the $82,680 AMI for Knox County). That is the maximum. VHI strives to charge rent that is well below the maximum to ensure affordability for island residents.
How long are the leases for VHI properties?
The leases are 12 months. Leases may be extended annually after re-verification of income.
Are tenants subject to a code of conduct?
Yes. VHI requires tenants to comply with VHI's Housing Rules and Regulations which can be found here.
Does VHI have policies on smoking and use of illegal drugs?
Yes. VHI's Housing Rules and Regulations prohibit smoking and vaping inside VHI units. Illegal drugs are prohibited on VHI property. Tenants are responsible for ensuring compliance with these policies.
How will these tenant residences affect town services, like water?
The housing units at 16 East Boston Road have access to town water and sewer like any other residents living within the town water district. VHI's Housing Rules and Regulations require tenants to use water only for routine household purposes, like cooking, bathing, and washing clothes.
Can a tenant maintain another residence while occupying a VHI unit?
No, VHI requires that its rental units be an applicant's sole residence.
Can tenants allow other people to move into their rentals?
With VHI's approval, a tenant may be added to the lease if they meet Maine Housing income eligibility requirements and if the unit capacity limit is satisfied.