There are a wide range of complex factors contributing to the homelessness crisis in Maine: a lack of affordable housing and accessible emergency shelter, inconsistent shelter funding, an increase in unsheltered individuals, and rising numbers of people needing support for substance use disorders and behavioral health issues. Preble Street and the Atlantic Charitable Fund are partnering to host the Conference on Homelessness: Solutions Start with ME, bringing together more than 250 leaders in local and state government, nonprofit agencies, municipalities, faith organizations, business, and people with lived experience to focus on the critically needed solutions and strategies that will help Maine end homelessness. The conference will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland, ME.

Jeff Olivet, executive director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), is this year’s keynote speaker and will facilitate a discussion between panelists from around the country, including Dallas, TX; Seattle, WA; Rockford, IL; and Richmond, VA, who will outline what has and has not worked in their communities and how these strategies can be applied in Maine.

The day will begin with a keynote presentation from Olivet, followed by the facilitated guest panel. Workshops on unsheltered homelessness, Continuum of Care funding, Housing First, and sustainable business models for shelters will occur in the afternoon. Attendees will learn from speakers with Avesta Housing, the City of Portland, City of Rockford Human Services Department (IL), the Downtown Emergency Services Center (WA), Homeward (VA), Housing Forward (TX), Housing Narrative Lab (D.C.), Maine Community Foundation, MaineHealth, MaineHousing, Penobscot Community Health Center, Tedford Housing, the State of Maine, and York County Shelter.

“This conference will be a unique opportunity to learn from both national leaders and local
subject matter experts about strategies and best practices we can apply to ending homelessness
here in Maine,” said Dean Klein, strategic sustainability project manager at Preble Street. “The
discussions that will happen at this conference will help build momentum to achieve strong
outcomes for some of our most vulnerable citizens. We already have more than 100 people
registered from across the state and hope that organizations working to solve homelessness
from Aroostook to York County will be able to join us and be part of the conversation.”

What: Conference on Homelessness
When: Thursday, October 17, 8am-5pm
Where: Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring Street, Portland, ME

Agenda (Click here for descriptions and list of panelists/presenters)

• 8:00 am – Registration & Continental Breakfast
• 9:00 am – Welcome – Mark Swann, Executive Director, Preble Street
• 9:30 am – Keynote Speaker – Jeff Olivet, Executive Director, United States Interagency
  Council on Homelessness (USICH)
• 10:15-10:30 am – Break
• 10:30-11:45 am – Morning Plenary: Facilitated Panel on Innovative Solutions & Effective
  Strategies from beyond Maine
• 12-1:00 pm – Lunch and networking
• 1-2:30 pm – Workshop sessions 1 & 2
  • How Maine Will Reach Its Housing First Goals & End Chronic Homelessness
  • Funding Solutions to Homelessness with Maine’s Continuum of Care
• 2:30 pm – Break
• 2:45-4:15 pm – Workshop sessions 3 & 4
  • Unsheltered Homelessness: How Other Communities are Solving It
  • Meeting the Need for Shelter Using Sustainable Business Models
• 4:15 pm – Closing remarks