The 132nd session of the Maine legislature begins on January 5, 2025. Preble Street will provide a detailed outline of our priorities for the next session of legislature in the next few weeks. Follow this link for a detailed description of Preble Street legislative priorities for the last session of the Maine Legislature. 

Hunger and homelessness are on the rise in our state, leaving thousands of fellow Mainers without enough food and without shelter or housing. Lack of available housing and shelter opportunities leaves many experiencing homelessness with no options other than to shelter outside, which leads to increased interactions with law enforcement and a lack of ongoing connection to resources. Issues of housing and food insecurity, homelessness, and poverty disproportionately impact Mainers of color. A 2020 calculation of people accessing services in ten Preble Street programs showed that 22% are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or People of Color) – more than three times the percentage of BIPOC individuals in Maine. 

But, there is good news! YOU and your network of family and friends can help us create real change this year. Thanks to House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, and other advocates who serve in the Maine legislature, there are several proposed bills this session offering unique opportunities to address many of these issues and create a better future for everyone who lives here. Preble Street and our partners are advocating for additional resources, support for the people who need it most, and the creation of better systems that will help end hunger, homelessness, and racial inequities. 

During the spring of 2023, Preble Street was successful in securing funding becoming available in 2025 for site-based, housing-first programs in 2025. This will extend highly impactful programs, like Homeless Opioid User Service Engagement (H.O.U.S.E.). Our advocacy continues in Spring 2024 with the following initiatives that need your support: 

• Expand and improve the emergency shelter system.
• Establish ongoing funding for low barrier shelters statewide.
• Invest in the creation of more site-based, housing-first programs like Florence House, Huston Commons, and Logan Place.
• Support the efforts of Wabanaki Nations surrounding tribal sovereignty and self-determination. 
• Address the inequities experienced by black, indigenous, and community members of color at large who are disproportionately impacted by our carceral system.
• Partner with several civil legal aid providers (Pine Tree Legal, Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project, and Maine Equal Justice) to support the creation of a permanent civil legal aid fund for critical civil legal advice and aid to the people we serve.

For a full description of these efforts, click here. As these bills progress through the legislature, we will keep you updated on how to best support your community with information on how/when to testify and who to contact to make your voice heard. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and/or sign up for advocacy alerts to stay informed!