Overview
The Department of Human Services is the City of AI's safety-net office. As of 2025, the former departments of Housing and Labor Standards were consolidated into Human Services to give residents and workers a single point of contact for assistance, housing access, and workplace protections.
General Assistance
Under Maine's General Assistance program, the City of AI provides short-term emergency aid for rent, heat, utilities, food, and other essential needs to residents whose income is below the City of AI Overall Maximum Levels of Assistance. Apply in person at the Stillwater Hollow service center or online through the resident portal. Eligibility is determined within 24 hours of a complete application.
Required documents: photo ID, proof of City of AI residency, the past 30 days of income, and a list of monthly expenses.
Food bank
The City of AI Food Bank, operated by Human Services in partnership with the Heron Bay Mutual Aid Network, distributes groceries from three pantry locations and a mobile pantry. Pantry visits are open to any resident, no proof of income required.
- Stillwater Hollow Pantry — 22 Foundry Common — Tuesdays & Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Granite Ridge Pantry — 1450 Granite Ridge Parkway — Wednesdays 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- Mobile Pantry — rotating sites; schedule posted on the city calendar
Heating assistance
The Winter Warmth Program distributes federal LIHEAP and city general-fund dollars to help residents with heating costs from November 1 through April 30. Households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level qualify. The program also funds emergency furnace repairs and fuel deliveries within 24 hours.
Housing (formerly Department of Housing)
Affordable housing
Search the City of AI Affordable Housing Inventory for income-restricted units, ground-lease cooperatives, and homeownership opportunities. The current list shows 4,180 income-restricted rental units and 980 limited-equity homeownership units citywide.
Renter resources
Renters have rights under Maine Title 14 and City of AI Chapter 5.82 (Mobile Home Rent Mediation). The Human Services Tenant Advocate offers free 30-minute consultations Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Security deposits cannot exceed two months' rent
- Landlords must provide 75 days' notice of a rent increase greater than 10%
- Landlords must respond to written habitability complaints within 14 days
Landlord rules
Rental properties in the City of AI require an annual habitability registration (see Chapter 15.44). The registration fee is $35 per unit per year; small landlords (5 units or fewer) pay a flat $80.
Development incentives
The Affordable Housing Density Bonus program (Chapter 17.220) grants up to a 35% density bonus for projects that dedicate at least 20% of units to households earning 80% AMI or less.
Labor Standards (formerly Department of Labor Standards)
Get help meeting labor standards
The Labor Standards Unit advises employers on the City of AI minimum wage, paid sick time, predictable scheduling, and fair-chance hiring ordinances. Employers may request a free compliance review at any time.
Request an investigation
Workers — including independent contractors — may file a complaint when an employer has not paid the correct wage, withheld earned sick time, retaliated for protected activity, or violated the predictable scheduling ordinance. Complaints may be filed anonymously and are investigated within 90 days. File online at the resident portal or by calling (207) 555-1001.
Report a violation
Suspected violations can also be reported by third parties (community organizations, family members, witnesses) using the same intake form. The unit does not share immigration status with federal authorities.