Students and their families in seven Maine school districts who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming unhoused will receive assistance this coming school year through a $2 million fund administered by MaineHousing.
An anticipated 1,300 students are expected to be impacted.
The funding comes from the Student Homelessness Prevention Program, part of the Emergency Housing Relief Fund created by Gov. Janet Mills and the Maine Legislature in 2021.
The one-year awards will help school districts 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 housing.
‘Bridge the gap’
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.
“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,” said Daniel Brennan, director of MaineHousing. “Preventing homelessness in the first place is both the humane solution and the most cost-effective strategy.”
Awards range from $18,000 for schools in Cape Elizabeth to $800,000 for Portland Public Schools. Other recipients include RSU 1, which covers the Bath region; as well as districts in Ellsworth, Lewiston, South Portland and Biddeford.
“Unfortunately, this September, too many students will not have a home to return to at the end of the school day,” said Maine State Rep. Mike Brennan, D-Portland, a sponsor of the legislation that made the funding available.
“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,” the lawmaker added.
