About Bar Harbor Housing Authority

The Bar Harbor Housing Authority (PHA Code: ME023) serves residents seeking housing assistance in Bar Harbor, Hancock County, Maine. This authority manages approximately 116 assisted housing units within the area.

Currently, the Bar Harbor Housing Authority is accepting applications for its Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, Public Housing, and Rural Development programs. The Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program is presently closed to new applications.

Applicants should review income eligibility criteria. For example, the Very Low Income limit for a family of four in the Hancock County, ME area is $48,200 per year. Income limits vary based on household size and specific program guidelines.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Jan 30, 2026

How to Apply

Online

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now
Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Priority is given to Maine residents experiencing homelessness, and a portion of vouchers are allocated to extremely low-income families.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Jan 30, 2026

How to Apply

Multiple

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Preference is given to elders, families, veterans, and individuals with verifiable disabilities; income limits apply.

Rural Development Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Jan 30, 2026

How to Apply

Multiple

Additional Notes

This program offers 1 and 2 bedroom units at Beechcliff Apartments in Southwest Harbor, Maine, with income limits applying.

Rural Development Program (Beechcliff Apartments) Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Jan 30, 2026

How to Apply

Multiple

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

This program offers 1 and 2 bedroom units; income limits apply.

Other Programs

1 program

These programs are administered by this housing authority but do not have active waitlist openings at this time. Statuses are verified nightly and subscribers will be notified when changes are detected.

Project-Based Voucher (PBV)
Closed

This waitlist is currently closed.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.

Status History

Public Housing Opened Mar 30, 2026
Public Housing Closed Mar 26, 2026
Public Housing Opened Mar 24, 2026
Public Housing Closed Mar 22, 2026
HCV Opened Feb 19, 2026
HCV Opened Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Bar Harbor Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

Go to Official Site

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 80 Mount Desert St
City Bar Harbor, ME 04609
PHA Code ME023
Public Housing Units 116

Important Notices

  • Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.

  • Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.

How to Apply at Bar Harbor Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

Bar Harbor Housing Authority currently has 4 open waiting lists (HCV, Public Housing, Rural Development, Rural Development Program (Beechcliff Apartments)). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Bar Harbor Housing Authority, you will typically need: government-issued photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security cards for all members, birth certificates for minors, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters), and proof of current address. For a family of four, income must be below $48,200/year to qualify in this area. Having these ready before the waitlist opens can make the difference between getting on the list and missing the window.

3

Submit Your Application

Apply directly through the official Bar Harbor Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf. If applying online, take a screenshot of your confirmation page for your records.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at Bar Harbor Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Bar Harbor Housing Authority manages approximately 116 assisted housing units, and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Bar Harbor. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Bar Harbor Housing Authority

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) open

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Bar Harbor Housing Authority provides rental assistance that allows you to choose any privately-owned rental unit that meets program requirements. You pay approximately 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remainder up to the Fair Market Rent for Bar Harbor. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Public Housing Public Housing open

Public Housing units at Bar Harbor Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Bar Harbor Housing Authority manages approximately 116 Public Housing units in Bar Harbor. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.

Rural Development open

The Rural Development program at Bar Harbor Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Bar Harbor. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Rural Development Program (Beechcliff Apartments) open

The Rural Development Program (Beechcliff Apartments) program at Bar Harbor Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Bar Harbor. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

PBV Project-Based Voucher closed

Project-Based Vouchers at Bar Harbor Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Bar Harbor. Unlike the standard Housing Choice Voucher, PBV assistance stays with the property — not with you. However, after one year of occupancy, you may request a standard portable voucher. PBV waitlists often move faster because fewer applicants know about them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Bar Harbor Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Bar Harbor Housing Authority administers 5 programs (HCV, Public Housing, Rural Development, Rural Development Program (Beechcliff Apartments), PBV) — none of which charge an application fee. If any website or person asks you to pay money to apply, it is a scam. Always apply directly through the housing authority's official portal or in person at their office at 80 Mount Desert St, Bar Harbor, ME.
How long is the wait at Bar Harbor Housing Authority?
Wait times at Bar Harbor Housing Authority depend on demand in Bar Harbor, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 116 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on March 30, 2026 when the Public Housing list changed from "closed" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Bar Harbor Housing Authority directly for current estimated wait times.
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of housing authority waiting lists you can join simultaneously. There are 8 other housing authorities within 100 miles of Bar Harbor Housing Authority, including Mount Desert Housing Authority (7 mi), Southwest Harbor Housing Authority (9 mi), Ellsworth Housing Authority (14 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Maine and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Maine.
How do I contact Bar Harbor Housing Authority?
You can reach Bar Harbor Housing Authority by phone at (207) 288-4770. Their office is located at 80 Mount Desert St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609. You can also email them at wbrehm@mdieha.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Bar Harbor Housing Authority?
Income limits for Bar Harbor Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Hancock County, ME (currently $96,600). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $48,200. Most Section 8 and Public Housing programs require your household income to be at or below this level. See the full income limits table below.

Bar Harbor Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Bar Harbor Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Hancock County, ME. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $48,200. Limits are set annually by HUD and vary by household size.

Household Size Extremely Low
30% AMI
Very Low
50% AMI
Low Income
80% AMI
1 Person $20,250 $33,750 $54,000
2 Persons $23,150 $38,600 $61,700
3 Persons $26,650 $43,400 $69,400
4 Persons $32,150 $48,200 $77,100
5 Persons $37,650 $52,100 $83,300
6 Persons $43,150 $55,950 $89,450
7 Persons $48,650 $59,800 $95,650
8 Persons $54,150 $63,650 $101,800
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $96,600 Effective April 1, 2025
What do these income limits mean?

Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) — Households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. This is the threshold for the lowest-income tier of assistance. Many housing authorities give preference to applicants at this level.

Very Low Income (50% AMI) — The standard eligibility threshold for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and most Public Housing programs. Your household income must be at or below this limit to qualify.

Low Income (80% AMI) — Some programs, including Project-Based Vouchers and certain local initiatives, use this higher threshold. Check with this housing authority for specific program requirements.