The Maine State Housing Authority has awarded nearly $4 million in federal tax credits to affordable housing projects in the state.

The agency announced Monday that the credits have gone to five projects in Portland, Waterville and Bangor. MaineHousing Director Dan Brennan says the credits, in addition to another $3 million in state subsidies, should help developers keep rents relatively low.

“These resources allow developers to provide affordable units, brand new in many cases, or newly refurbished in other cases, and it really helps add to solving the affordable housing problems in our state,” Brennan says.