Affordable Housing FAQs
What is workforce housing, and how does it compare to low-income housing?
Workforce housing is designed to address the needs of working families or individuals with incomes between 60% to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). For an individual in Knox County in 2026, that income range was $41,340 to $82,680.
Low-income housing typically serves households earning less than 60% of the AMI and is often subsidized through voucher programs.
Workforce housing helps essential workers - such as tradespeople, teachers, health care workers, lobstermen and fishermen, and law enforcement officers - who usually make too much to qualify for subsidies but cannot afford market-rate housing.
Which kind of housing does VHI offer?
VHI's housing units at 16 East Boston Road are designed as affordable workforce housing.
Tenants are eligible to rent one of the units at 16 East Boston Road if their household income is below 120% of the AMI, which is $82,680 for a one-person household, $94,440 for a two-person household, $106,200 for a three-person household, and $117,960 for a four-person household in 2026.
What makes VHI housing "affordable"?
Housing is considered "affordable" if its cost does not exceed 30% of the AMI limit on the unit.
For example, for an individual living in one of VHI's one-bedroom 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 well below the maximum to ensure affordability for island residents.
How does VHI ensure that VHI housing actually supports island residents?
VHI's mission is to serve island residents. Under VHI's Tenant Selection Policy, applicants are asked to demonstrate that they are committed to living on the island year-round and that the VHI unit is their sole residence.
Are all of the units occupied?
Not yet. Two of the smaller units remain under lease to the pre-existing tenants at 16 East Boston Road, as required under the Maine Housing grant.
VHI is completing construction of the remaining units on the property and will be seeking tenant applications in the near future.