hoMEviews - a Podcast with MaineHousing
Season 1
hoMEViews - with Special Guest Allison Gallagher
hoMEViews - with MaineHousing's Director Dan Brennan
hoMEViews - with Special Guest Scott Thistle
by MaineHousing
In this episode, Maggie Silva, Host, talks with Allison Gallagher about the Housing Choice Voucher Department. Allison details what exactly a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) is and how someone may apply for and use one as a renter. Maggie and Allison also talk about situations where HCV users have become homeowners, as well as barriers to housing in rural areas and some ways renters and homeowners can overcome those barriers. Resources mentioned MaineHousing website: www.mainehousing.org HCV webpage: https://www.mainehousing.org/programs-services/rental/rentaldetail/housing-choice-vouchers HCV phone line: 207-624-5789 Rental Programs and Assistance: https://www.mainehousing.org/programs-services/rental Abbreviations Used: HUD: Housing and Urban Development HCV: Housing Choice Voucher (Federal program and Department within MaineHousing) EHS: Energy and Housing Services (Department within MaineHousing) P&R: Project & Research (Department within MaineHousing) MSHA: Maine State Housing Authority HFA: Housing Finance Authority Full Legal Disclaimer: By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that MaineHousing makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented are for general information only. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. MaineHousing does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, link, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. Moreover, MaineHousing makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses or other elements that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. MAINEHOUSING EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL’S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.
In this episode, Maggie Silva talked with Dan Brennan about his role at MaineHousing. Dan Brennan is the current Director of MaineHousing. He oversees the day-to-day activities of MaineHousing and ensures its many departments are working together towards the common goal of building, financing, and keeping Mainers in affordable housing across the state. Dan talks about his role within the organization and what motivates MaineHousing employees who come here every day to do what they do best; help the people of Maine. Resources mentioned MaineHousing website: www.mainehousing.org Press Release Page: https://www.mainehousing.org/news MaineHousing Dashboards: https://mainehousing.org/data-research/program-data Employment Opportunities: https://mainehousing.org/about/careers Events Calendar: https://mainehousing.org/news/mainehousing-calendar State Elections: https://www.maine.gov/sos/elections-voting Maine Reps: https://legislature.maine.gov/house/house/MemberProfiles Current State Officials: https://www.maine.gov/portal/government/officials.html Abbreviations Used: HUD: Housing and Urban Development HCV: Housing Choice Voucher (department within MaineHousing) EHS: Energy and Housing Services (department within MaineHousing) P&R: Project & Research (department within MaineHousing) MSHA: Maine State Housing Authority HFA: Housing Finance Authority NCSHA: National Council of State Housing Authorities Full Legal Disclaimer: By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that MaineHousing makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented are for general information only. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. MaineHousing does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, link, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. Moreover, MaineHousing makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses or other elements that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. MAINEHOUSING EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL’S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.
In this episode, Maggie Silva, Host, talks with Scott Thistle about his role as the Director of Communications at MaineHousing. Maggie asks Scott about how he communicates with the Press and his views on the reporting work done in Maine to keep the public informed on how MaineHousing is addressing Maine’s housing crisis. Scott also shares what it’s like to be a part of borrower success stories and contribute positively to building sustainable, affordable housing for Maine families. Resources mentioned MaineHousing website: www.mainehousing.org Press Release Page: https://www.mainehousing.org/news MaineHousing Dashboards: https://www.mainehousing.org/data-research/housing-data Abbreviations Used: HUD: Housing and Urban Development MSHA: Maine State Housing Authority HFA: Housing Finance Authority Full Legal Disclaimer: By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that MaineHousing makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented are for general information only. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. MaineHousing does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, link, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. Moreover, MaineHousing makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses or other elements that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. MAINEHOUSING EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL’S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.
Kelly Watson, the Director of MaineHousing's Homeless Initiatives Department, joins Host Maggie Silva in the first episode of MaineHousing's new podcast hoMEviews, to discuss the programs, funding, and focus of of Homeless Initiatives in Maine. Show Notes: Calls for homeless issues: 211 Homeless initiatives webpages on MaineHousing’s website: https://www.mainehousing.org/partners/partner-type/homeless-service-providers/homeless-initiatives Phone #: 207-501-5958 Homeless provider programs: ESHAP: https://www.mainehousing.org/programs-services/homeless/homelessdetail/emergency-shelter-and-housing-assistance-program Housing Problem Solving: https://www.mainehousing.org/programs-services/homeless/homelessdetail/housing-problem-solving Emergency Shelter list: https://www.mainehousing.org/programs-services/homeless/emergency-shelters Warming Shelter List: https://www.mainehousing.org/news/public-notices/2025---2025-warming-shelters Pilot Program for students: https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/safeschools/counseling/highmobility/homelessed If you are in an awarded district, reach out to your McKinney-Vento Liason at one of these schools: Biddeford Schools Lewiston Public Schools MSAD 70 Portland Public Schools RSU 1 Abbreviations Used: EHAP: Emergency Shelter and Housing Assistance Program HUD: Housing and Urban Development MSHA: Maine State Housing Authority HFA: Housing Finance Authority Full Legal Disclaimer: By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that MaineHousing makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented are for general information only. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. MaineHousing does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, link, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. Moreover, MaineHousing makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses or other elements that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. MAINEHOUSING EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL’S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.