Bridging Rental Assistance Program (BRAP)

Maine Department of Mental Health
Maine

BRAP assists clients with Serious Mental Illness, including those who also have a Substance Use Disorder, with obtaining transitional housing by providing a rental subsidy and assistance with finding independent housing. BRAP is intended to serve as a bridge between homelessness and more permanent housing options, such as Section 8. BRAP clients are required to contribute 40% of their income toward their monthly rent.

Other Eligibility Requirements

Persons with mental illness; Applicants on waitlists for other housing assistance; Persons with substance use disorder; meet Eligibility For Care Criteria for Community Support Services; receive or in appeals for SSI/SSDI (or similar); Applicants leaving a psychiatric institution or correctional facility; Persons experiencing or at risk of homelessness

Priority Populations

Persons with mental illness; Previously incarcerated individuals

Required Documents

Required for income (general), zero, self-employed, or non-traditional income, verification of income from or application to social security, application to Section 8 housing, "priority status", Section 17 eligibility (kepro verification or BRAP enrollment form). Self-attestation permitted for income (general).

Assistance Used For
Current and/or future rent
Security deposits and relocation fees
How Provided?
Rental assistance paid to landlord, housing agency, or approved vendor only
Amount Calculation Method

Program covers rent above 40% of tenants' adjusted income, up to payment standard based on local Fair Market Rent

Data Collected by Program
Income; Race; Ethnicity; Disability status
Website
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/obh/support-services/housing-services