RAPID RE-HOUSING
The Preble Street Rapid Re-Housing program (RRH) is an evidence-based intervention that uses casework and financial assistance to help individuals and families experiencing homelessness return to housing quickly and not become homeless again in the near future.
RRH is a short-term, intensive, housing-focused intervention with three components: housing identification, move-in support, and rent assistance. Participants work with their Preble Street caseworker to create an individualized housing plan with the goal of obtaining a connection to permanent housing as quickly as possible.
"We are grateful for the hard work of Preble Street and the willingness of landlords to work together to help solve homelessness, one household at a time. Rapid Re-housing is an important component to the ongoing redesign of the homelessness response system in Maine. Preble Street is leading the way in demonstrating a model that is replicable across the entire state. We are proud to be part of this important effort.”
The RRHS program currently serves Cumberland and Androscoggin County. All referrals to Rapid Rehousing are completed through Coordinated Entry and interested individuals must complete a Coordinated Entry Assessment with an Access Point Provider.
How do you complete a coordinated entry?
You can call 211 Maine to identify an Access Point in your area. Once an assessment is complete, you will be matched with the appropriate program resource as it’s available.
How is Rapid Re-Housing funded?
The Rapid Re-Housing program is funded through two grants, the Maine State Housing (Temporary Rapid Rehousing Program) and Continuum of Care (Survivor Rapid Rehousing Services) grants. RRHS works primarily with people experiencing homelessness, with a focus on victims/survivors of domestic violence and/or human trafficking. The aim of this funding is to serve 30 households over a year and connect them to permanent housing, reducing the time those people experience homelessness and limit returns to homelessness.
If you need housing assistance or are a landlord interested in partnering with Preble Street Rapid Re-Housing, please call 207-775-0026 or email rapidrehousingservices@preblestreet.org.
Case management services include...
- working to increase income
- connection with benefits such as health insurance and SNAP
- connection with community resources, e.g. local service care providers
At times, individuals, and families in the community may be at imminent risk of becoming homeless. In these cases, the Preble Street RRH team also provides diversion interventions, connecting the household to resources and services that can help prevent them from becoming homeless.
“We believe that each of our clients can be successfully connected to permanent housing; it just looks different for everyone, depending on the challenges they might have experienced and their goals. Using that lens, our very creative and resourceful staff use their skills, relationships, and knowledge of how systems work to help folks navigate some very complex issues and connect them with housing that works for their needs. On any given day, staff might be helping someone apply for a birth certificate, filling out apartment applications, or supporting someone moving into what might be their very first apartment.”
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