Mainehousing Awards More Than $2 Million To Help Prevent Student Homelessness In Maine Schools

AUGUSTA, Maine — MaineHousing is pleased to announce it has awarded more than $2 million to seven Maine school districts through the Student Homelessness Prevention Program, supporting local efforts expected to serve nearly 1,300 students and their families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The one-year awards will help school administrative units hire or retain homelessness prevention and housing navigation specialists, provide housing stability services and offer flexible direct financial assistance. Eligible uses include rental assistance, security and utility deposits, transportation and other expenses that can help families maintain current housing or secure new permanent housing.

“MaineHousing is pleased to support these dedicated and innovative school districts in their work to prevent and reduce student homelessness in Maine. We know these funds will help many families bridge the gap to housing stability, and we are deeply grateful to the school systems working to support students and families facing a housing crisis. Preventing homelessness in the first place is both the humane solution and the most cost-effective strategy," said MaineHousing Director Daniel Brennan.

Funding for this program comes from the Emergency Housing Relief Fund (EHRF), created by Governor Janet Mills and the Maine Legislature in 2021. EHRF has funded a variety of efforts aimed at keeping people housed and safe throughout the state.

“Unfortunately, this September, too many students will not have a home to return to at the end of the school day,” said Maine State Representative Mike Brennan of Portland, a sponsor of the legislation that made this funding available to schools. “This joint effort by the Maine State Housing Authority and the Maine Department of Education will help hundreds of homeless students and their families secure permanent housing."

MaineHousing will work with award recipients to monitor spending and outcomes, including the number of families served, diverted from homelessness, or moved into permanent housing.