Today, the Biden-Harris administration released a federal plan for ending homelessness in America that includes an ambitious goal of reducing homelessness 25% by 2025. All In: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness outlines new strategies to prevent homelessness and increase the supply of housing with supportive services. “We have a homelessness crisis … Read more
Women experiencing homelessness face many obstacles on their path to stability and security. Like homeless youth, they are especially vulnerable to violence while trying to survive on the streets. Some have untreated mental illness and/or substance use disorders, are transitioning from incarceration, or have serious medical needs — especially as the population of people experiencing … Read more
Everyone deserves a safe place to live, and “Housing First” is the philosophy at the center of Preble Street’s housing work: housing must be the first step in addressing homelessness. When people have a safe, stable place to call home the results are profound and far-reaching. Once out of the chaos of homelessness, where every … Read more
Preble Street Person of the month is Lydia Gwizimpundu! Lydia is an incredible advocate for clients at Preble Street Housing First program and women’s shelter, Florence House. She has has a remarkable ability to help clients realize their own strength and abilities, and provides unwavering support in helping them move past barriers and challenges … Read more
For most people who use Maine’s shelters, homelessness is temporary. But there are others who need more support– the chronically homeless. A decade ago, the State of Utah made a commitment to eliminate chronic homelessness. And what’s being done there is inspiring people here in Maine and across the country. Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox (R-Utah) … Read more
This is Part Two of a series on Housing First. In Part One, WCSH traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah, to learn more about that city’s acclaimed Housing First programs out there. Preble Street has been running Housing First programs in Portland for more than a decade. What kind of commitment from Maine’s leaders will it take to expand … Read more
PORTLAND/GORHAM (WGME) — Random acts of kindness and paying it forward. They’re phrases we’re hearing more and more of these days. Bottom line is, it seems being rude and having mo manners are on their way out and being nice and thoughtful are in. So we decided to see if that’s the case in Maine. … Read more
Editor’s Note: Last May, we published "Cornered: Portraits of Portland’s Traffic Panhandlers," by local writer and photographer Doug Bruns. This winter, Bruns completed a similar assignment, this one focused on formerly homeless people who have made the transition to housing with the help of local social-service agencies. (One of the subjects of "Cornered," Judy, also … Read more
PORTLAND, Maine – The Portland City Council on Monday night unanimously voted to set aside $50,000 to distribute to a developer willing build a so-called "housing first" apartment project for homeless people. The measure will designate the money from the city’s Housing Trust Fund, which currently has just more than $724,000, to the cause. Jim … Read more
Autumn is a beautiful time to enjoy the natural beauty of the Maine coast, so it was exciting to receive an invitation from the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition and the Maine State Housing Authority to participate in their annual conference. We were thrilled to see that the conference planners included a workshop track on the … Read more
