AUGUSTA – The Maine State Housing Authority has approved financing for five rental housing developments with 147 new apartments in four Maine communities.

MaineHousing Director Dale McCormick announced this week that $24 million of the $30 million cost will be in federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits.

The developments will provide affordable senior housing and housing for homeless women in areas of the state that have a shortage of affordable rental housing.

Two developments are slated to be built in Portland, while MaineHousing plans to have developments in Sanford, Scarborough and Veazie as well.