Homelessness
Maine Resources
MaineHousing - MaineHousing offers a variety of programs and services related to housing access and affordability in Maine. They provide a comprehensive list of emergency shelters across the state, categorized by county. This list can help individuals find immediate shelter and support services.
The Section 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA) Program - A collaboration between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), MaineHousing, and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), offers permanent supportive housing for extremely low-income individuals with disabilities. Eligibility criteria include being aged 18–61, having an income at or below 30% of the area median income, and qualifying for long-term care services.
The Mainstream Voucher Program - Administered by Lewiston Housing, assists non-elderly individuals with disabilities, with a preference for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Participants typically pay 30% of their income toward rent, with the program covering the remainder. Details are available on the Lewiston Housing Homeless Services page.
Shalom House CoC Permanent Supportive Housing - For individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, substance use disorders, or HIV/AIDS, the Permanent Supportive Housing Program (formerly Shelter Plus Care) offers low-barrier rental assistance following a Housing First model.
Operates several Housing First programs in Portland, including:
Florence House - Provides permanent housing, a Safe Haven, and emergency shelter for women experiencing chronic homelessness.
Logan Place - Offers supported permanent housing for chronically homeless adults.
Huston Commons - Caters to chronically homeless adults with disabilities, providing 24-hour support services and medical care.
The Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter - Offers the Emergency Shelter Homeless Assistance Program, assisting guests in obtaining housing subsidies, finding apartments, and maintaining housing stability. Their Housing Navigators provide ongoing support post-shelter stay.
Veterans Inc. - Offers temporary and emergency housing, counseling, employment services, and other support programs specifically for veterans.
Regional Resources
The New England Center and Home for Veterans (NECHV) - Located at 17 Court Street in downtown Boston, this is one of the nation's largest private community-based organizations dedicated to supporting veterans facing or at risk of homelessness. Founded in 1989 by Vietnam veterans, NECHV has evolved from a traditional shelter into a comprehensive service provider, offering a range of programs aimed at promoting stability, self-sufficiency, and dignified independent living for veterans of all eras.
NECHV provides both transitional and permanent housing options. The facility houses approximately 280 veterans nightly, with 183 beds allocated for transitional housing and 97 single-room occupancy units designated for permanent supportive housing. The transitional housing programs are designed to assist veterans in securing sustainable independent living, with the goal of transitioning residents to permanent housing within six months. These programs include various government-sponsored and independent support services, such as the VA Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Clinical Treatment, Safe Haven, and specialized programs for female veterans.
NECHV maintains a low-barrier entry policy to ensure accessibility for all veterans in need, regardless of discharge status or existing circumstances. Eligibility requires proof of veteran status, and the center assists individuals in obtaining necessary documentation. Residents must be able to independently perform activities of daily living. The center also accepts veterans transitioning from incarceration, provided they can adhere to the terms of their probation or parole.
National Resources
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Support individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Continuum of Care (CoC) Program - Provides funding for permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, transitional housing, and coordinated entry systems.
Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) - Offers resources for street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, and rapid rehousing.
Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) - Supports communities in developing and implementing coordinated community approaches to preventing and ending youth homelessness.
Housing Choice Voucher Programs - Includes specialized vouchers like the Mainstream Voucher Program for non-elderly persons with disabilities, and the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, which combines rental assistance with case management and clinical services for veterans.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Provides behavioral health services to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) - Funds services for individuals with serious mental illnesses, including outreach, case management, and housing assistance.
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) - Offer comprehensive mental health and substance use services, including for those experiencing homelessness. SAMHSAUS Interagency Council on Homelessness
Housing and Services Resource Center (HSRC) - A collaborative initiative with HUD to provide guidance, training, and technical assistance to organizations serving people experiencing homelessness. US Interagency Council on Homelessness
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Offers targeted programs to assist veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
HUD-VASH - Combines HUD housing vouchers with VA supportive services to help veterans and their families find and sustain permanent housing.
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) - Provides rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention assistance to veteran families.
U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) - Coordinates the federal response to homelessness and works to create partnerships at all levels of government and with the private sector. It oversees the implementation of the Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, aiming to align efforts across agencies and improve outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness.