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 can help eligible homeowners pay their mortgage bills or other housing costs if they are struggling to keep up with payments due to Covid-19.

Click here to apply online.

Eligible homeowners can receive a benefit of up to $50,000 that can be used to pay a variety of expenses or past-due bills, including mortgage and utility payments. To learn more, visit the MaineHousing website or call Community Concepts Finance Corporation at 207-333-6419.

This program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

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:

• Your household is eligible for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Your home is in good structural condition
• Clients will automatically be placed on the Weatherization waiting list at time of LIHEAP application approval

When you apply for LIHEAP, you are automatically considered for the Weatherization Program and other assistance too. Please refer to Fuel Assistance to apply for LIHEAP, Weatherization, and more.

Funding Source: Maine State Housing Authority

Energy Audits check for proper air exchange and quality, and for proper insulation. Customers receive energy saving estimates to determine the best options available. With energy savings, customers can recover the cost of the testing and repairs within a short time. These services are offered to everyone at an affordable fee!

Basic Energy Evaluation includes complete insulation inspection, projected contractor installation costs, & projected yearly energy savings.

Services provided:

• Energy Evaluation: Blower door testing to determine a home’s air tightness; infrared camera scan to detect thermal defects and heat loss in a home; heating appliance testing; visual inspection from attic to basement
• Written reports: Prioritized list of energy improvements for your home
• Financing: A variety of options depending on the findings of the evaluation
• Project verification: Supervision and inspection of work performed

The Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP) provides grants to clean, repair or replace central heating systems that serve households with low-income.

• 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 LIHEAP.
• CHIP benefits of up to $400 may be available for rental properties occupied by LIHEAP-eligible tenants.

Funding Source: Maine State Housing Authority

Serves Oxford & Androscoggin Counties

Community Concepts performs lead clearance testing for many Housing Authorities and individual landlords throughout the state. Radon and asbestos testing are recommended for indoor air quality. Asbestos and lead testing should be performed before remodeling an older structure 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

Serves Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Lincoln, Oxford, Sagadahoc & York Counties.

• Community Concepts administers a 0% deferred forgivable loan 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.

Requirements for single-family homes:

• Must have a child under 6 residing in the home
• May receive up to $16,000 for lead abatement

Requirements for apartment buildings:

• Each unit must be at least 2 bedrooms
• Eligibility is based on tenant income only
• Landlords may receive up to $10,000 per unit with a maximum of ten units

CCI can service anyone interested in lead paint services regardless of income. If the client is over the income guidelines for our deferred forgivable loan program, we will perform services for a fee or refer 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 

Elderly Hardship Grants

Serves Cumberland, Oxford & Androscoggin Counties

• Must be 62 or older
• Must own their property and occupy the residence
• Must be 80% or less of median income.
• Liquid assets cannot exceed $50,000.
• If customer had prior MSHA Home Repair loan or grant they do not qualify for this program.
• Must be up to date on mortgage and property taxes, no tax liens.

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.

Do you have questions about using, paying for, or connecting to the internet, but aren’t sure where to begin? Community Concepts Finance Corporation is here to help!

Our Digital Navigation Service offers free, one-on-one support for things like:

• Getting connected to the internet at home
• Applying for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to receive up to $30 off your monthly internet bill
• Internet safety and identifying scams
• Creating and navigating online accounts to easily access information
• Purchasing a device that best fits your needs
• Creating and operating an email account
• Learning how to video chat with doctors, friends, and family
• And more!

Contact: 

Call 207-333-6444 to speak with Ashley about Digital Navigation services and how you can get started.

Are you looking for an apartment to rent?

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

The properties are managed in partnership with Lewiston Housing or Avesta Housing.

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

Our Self-Help Homeownership Program provides the opportunity to build a new home of your own.

Working together with other families, you will learn valuable construction skills as you build your own house. Participants choose their own home lot in Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford, or Sagadahoc Counties.

Our Construction Supervisor will be there every step of the way. The months you spend building your home can save you as much as $20,000, and there’s never a payment to make during construction.

No construction experience is needed; we’ll teach you everything you need to know. The foundation, well, plumbing system, heating system, and electrical work will be done by professionals. Everything else is up to you and the other members of the homebuilding group.

You’ll choose your own house lot, and work with other families to build each other’s homes. Participants can choose house lots in any of the following counties: Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford, or Sagadahoc.

You will choose the colors of your siding, roofing, interior paint, carpet, flooring, and cabinets. Your house will be uniquely yours!

• No payments while building
• No down payment
• Mortgage payments based on income
• Interest rates as low as 1%
• Energy-efficient homes
• 3 bedrooms and 1.75 baths

Contact us today to get started!

Call: (207) 739-6514 or (800) 866-5588 ext: 1121

Email: Susan Bradford

sbradford@community-concepts.org or selfhelp@community-concepts.org