The Maine State Housing Authority announced Monday that a combined $2 million from the state’s Emergency Housing Relief Fund (EHRF) has been awarded to twelve overnight warming shelters located throughout the state.
Under State Law, the EHRF may be used for various forms of short- and long-term programs, including “rental assistance or appropriate housing for people experiencing homelessness who are staying in hotels as a short-term housing solution” and “creating supportive housing for people with disabilities, mental health challenges or substance use disorder using an approach that prioritizes providing permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness.”
It also opens the door for the funding to be used for “any other use that addresses housing emergencies in the State.”
Shelters receiving awards range in capacity from twelve to ninety people per night are located in towns from Biddeford to Presque Isle, with award values falling between $30,000 and $279,693.
The Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center in Biddeford, for example, will be adding daytime and weekend hours with the nearly $250,000 award it received through this program.
“The support for daytime and weekend programming is especially strategic,” said Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman. “This helps ensure that everyone in Biddeford can have a safe place to sleep and access to essential services as we continue our partnerships to support our unhoused neighbors.”
“This emergency housing fund, which was approved by Governor Janet Mills and the Maine Legislature for the third consecutive time in 2024, provides critical support for these much-needed overnight warming shelters that are helping keep some of our most vulnerable residents safe and warm during the coldest months of the year,” said Maine State Housing Authority Director Dan Brennan in a statement.
“The partners that have been selected for these funds have taken innovative approaches to providing services to those experiencing homelessness in winter in Maine,” Brennan continued. “We are grateful to all of them.”
“These overnight warming shelters will play a vital role in protecting people from the cold during our harsh winter months,” said Gov. Janet Mills (D) in a statement. “I am grateful for the communities that have responded to this important need and thank MaineHousing for distributing this financial support, which I proposed, and the Legislature approved.”
“My Administration will continue to work with MaineHousing, the Legislature, local communities, and other partners to continue to address the need for short-term emergency housing and attainable, long-term housing across Maine,” Gov. Mills added.
“When awarding these resources, we always look to get the most we can from the investment of precious public dollars,” said Maine State Housing Authority Senior Director of Homeless Initiatves Lauren Bustard. “We work to stretch those dollars whenever possible and have made difficult choices at times as we know the demand and the need is great in many places.”
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