Housing and Energy

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps qualified homeowners and renters pay for heating costs. The benefit is paid directly to a client’s fuel vendor of choice. Community Concepts serves residents in Androscoggin and Oxford County.

To apply online, click here.

Please call us to schedule an appointment:

207-795-4065 or 207-743-7716

Program income guidelines occasionally change. Please check with us to see if you qualify each year.

You may qualify if you are: a renter, a renter with heat included, a homeowner, a subsidized renter with heat not included, employed or unemployed, or have income earned by wages or other sources.
View the current income guidelines at MaineHousing.org
If you qualify for HEAP, you may qualify for many other programs. Our team will help connect you with these programs.

You will need to provide copies of certain documents to apply.

New this season: verification of citizenship. Please see list of acceptable documents.
Names, dates of birth, and social security numbers for all people living in your household.
Social Security cards for all household members. (If you do not have cards for all members, please still apply as that household member may not be counted.)
Proof of gross household income for the last 28 days; 12 months if you are self-employed. (Household income includes but is not limited to: wages, social security, unemployment, pension, and disability payments).
A recent copy of your CMP bill.
The type of fuel used to heat your home (natural gas, heating oil, kerosene, propane, wood, wood pellets, biobricks, coal, corn, or electricity).
Fuel vendor name and account number if you pay for your heat directly.

Your application will not be processed until all the requested documentation is provided.

Emergency assistance

More help may be available if you have less than a seven (7) day supply of heating fuel. We may also be able to help if you cannot pay your bill and your services may be disconnected. We also may be able to help with past-due utility bills. Our emergency assistance program does not start until after November 1st.

Additional Resources

If you are eligible for HEAP, you also may qualify for other programs that require HEAP eligibility:

If you receive residential electric service from an electric utility and you are not living in government-subsidized housing, you may be eligible for assistance with your electric bills from your electric utility’s Low Income Assistance Plan (LIAP).
If your home is not as energy efficient as it could be, you may qualify for home weatherization improvements through our Weatherization Program.
If your heating system is in need of repair or replacement, you may qualify for the Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP).

If you have less than an 1/8 tank of heating oil or are in danger of having your electricity disconnected because you cannot pay your electric bill, HEAP may be able to help by sending money directly to your oil company or CMP.

To apply, please call us at:

207-795-4065 or 207-743-7716

TTY Relay: Dial 711 to connect to a Maine Relay Operator

The Maine Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Program is no longer taking applications. The deadline to apply for the HAF Program was 1/10/2024 by 5:00 pm. The wait list is now open for complete applications.

The Weatherization Program provides grants to homeowners and renters with low-income to reduce energy costs by improving home energy efficiency.

Weatherization improvements may include insulation, weather-stripping, caulking, and safety-related repairs.

You may be eligible to receive Weatherization assistance if:

You live in Androscoggin, Oxford, or Cumberland counties.
Your household is eligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

Funding Source: Maine State Housing Authority

The Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP) provides grants to clean, repair or replace central heating systems.

CHIP funds may be used only to repair or replace dangerous, malfunctioning or inoperable heating systems that pose a threat to health and safety.

Clients must be eligible for HEAP.
CHIP benefits of up to $600 may be available for rental properties occupied by HEAP-eligible tenants.

Funding Source: Maine State Housing Authority

Serves Cumberland, Oxford & Androscoggin Counties

Community Concepts performs lead clearance testing for many Housing Authorities and individual landlords throughout the state. Lead testing should be performed before remodeling a structure built before 1978 as particles become airborne during home rehabilitation.

Lead testing services include:

Testing of painted surfaces for presence of lead paint
Detailed report identifying hazards
Helping you find a licensed contractor
Coordinating services with contractors
Providing affordable and free abatement based on income

Funding Source: Maine State Housing Authority through HUD funded grant

Serving Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Lincoln, Oxford, Sagadahoc & York Counties, and the following municipalities in Kennebec County: Augusta, Chelsea, Farmingdale, Fayette, Gardiner, Hallowell, Litchfield, Manchester, Monmouth, Pittston, Randolph, Readfield, Wayne, West Gardiner, Windsor and Winthrop.

Community Concepts administers a 0% deferred forgivable grant for the Maine State Housing Authority for the abatement of lead paint hazards. Deferred Forgivable Loans can be used for both single-family homes and apartment buildings.
Single family homes and apartment buildings must have been built prior to 1978.

CCI can service anyone interested in lead paint services regardless of income. If you are over the income guidelines for our grant program, we will perform services for a fee or refer you to appropriate programs.

CCI offers a variety of services and financial support for home repair and improvement projects.

Requirements:

Must own property and occupy the residence
Must be 80% or less of median income
Liquid assets cannot exceed $5,000 or $50,000 if a household member is 62 or older
Must be up to date on mortgage and property taxes with no tax liens
Customers cannot qualify if they’ve had a previous MSHA Home Repair loan or grant

If you are interested in this program, please contact us at:

207-795-4065 or 207-743-7716

TTY Relay: Dial 711 to connect to a Maine Relay Operator

Learn more and sign up for services at Community Concepts Finance Corporation.

Are you looking for an apartment to rent?

CCI owns and operates 202 quality, affordable units in Western Maine.

The properties are managed in partnership with Lewiston Housing

For a list of subsidized housing options throughout the state, click here to visit the MaineHousing website.

Community Concepts, Inc. is affiliated with several entities that own over 200 quality, affordable units in Western Maine. These properties are managed in partnership with Lewiston Housing Authority.

Bates Street Senior Housing

250 Bates St., Lewiston ME

(Accepting applications)

Constructed in 2008, one site, 30 units of 1- and 2-bedroom units.
Serving Seniors 62+
Set-aside rent restrictions at 50%-60% Area Median Income
Private parking, community room, laundry room, secured entrance, resident services coordinator, tenant storage, utilities included.

Fuel/Energy Assistance

Emergency Fuel Assistance

Maine Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Program

Weatherization

Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP)

Lead Testing

Home Repair & Improvement

Free Credit & Foreclosure Counseling

Rentals & Housing Portfolio

Community Concepts, Inc. is affiliated with several entities that own over 200 quality, affordable units in Western Maine. These properties are managed in partnership with Lewiston Housing Authority.

Androscoggin County

Bates Street Senior Housing

Gauvreau Place

Maple Street Housing

Mount David Housing

Supportive Housing 1

Supportive Housing 2

Franklin County

Farmington Hills

Mount Blue Housing

Oxford County

399 Main Street Apartments (Western Hills)

Bethel Station Apartments (Western Hills)

Brownfield Apartments (Western Maine Housing)

Fryeburg Apartments (Western Maine Housing)

High Street Apartments (Western Maine Housing)

Norway Family Apartment

Stony Brook

Supportive Housing 3

Supportive Housing 4

Become a homeowner and help build your house with our Self-Help Program!

Self-Help Homeownership

Housing Counseling

We offer maintenance services to assist property owners, landlords, realtors, and financial institutes.

Property Maintenance