NEWS

Teen Services Expands Housing and Outreach Programs to Biddeford

Guy Gagnon, Biddeford Housing Authority Executive Director, and Hailey Virusso, Preble Street Director of Teen Housing and Outreach Services discuss the vision for the new transitional housing units for youth experiencing homelessness.

For six years, Preble Street’s First Place Transitional Living Program, part of its Teen Housing Services programming, has provided low-barrier housing for youth experiencing homelessness in southern Maine. Youth in the transitional living program receive rental assistance and casework support as they learn the skills necessary to live independently. Now, thanks to a $348,000 grant from MaineHousing, the program is expanding to Biddeford, with units for up to 12 homeless youth ages 16-24 over the next two years!

“It’s been a true gift to walk alongside the young people in our First Place program and support them as they reach towards their goals of stability, safety, and independence,” says Hailey Virusso, Director of Teen Housing Services. “We’re excited to continue growing this program and expand our abilities to serve youth outside of Cumberland County. This is the step up that these youth need to thrive.”

Preble Street is collaborating with Biddeford Housing Authority, which owns the building where the units are located, on this project.

“Biddeford Housing’s goal is to provide affordable housing options for all segments in our community,” shares Guy Gagnon, Executive Director of Biddeford Housing Authority. “We are very fortunate to be partnering with Preble Street to help house and mentor the many local young adults who often slip through the cracks.”

In conjunction with the expansion of First Place, Preble Street Teen Services also recently launched a Street Outreach program to connect unhoused youth in Cumberland and York counties to supportive services. The current route for street outreach caseworkers focuses on the Portland and Biddeford areas.

While these expanded programs will certainly have a positive impact, it is far from enough to end youth homelessness in our state. There are approximately 15,000 youth experiencing homelessness in Maine, and in 2022, more than 30% of Maine’s homeless population was under the age of 24. Landlords willing to work with Teen Housing Services and other Preble Street programs are a key part of the solution and can learn about the financial incentives of these partnerships by visiting LandlordsHelp.org or emailing LandlordsHelp@preblestreet.org.

We're hiring!

Interested in supporting youth experiencing homelessness?

Read more...

The importance of vouchers to secure housing

For countless Mainers, housing vouchers have been a crucial steppingstone to stability. In the last decade, especially the past few years, as rents went up and the number of available apartments or houses to rent has dwindled, waiting lists for vouchers have grown and it’s become more difficult for voucher-holders to secure housing.   This

Read More »

Joe’s Place: bringing services for youth under one roof

“What I want you to know about Preble Street is that they have a lot of resources to help you, and they want to help you.” Youth currently being served by Preble Street Teen Services Providing 24-hour services, seven days a week, Preble Street Teen Services operates separate day and night shelters for homeless and runaway

Read More »

What does Harm Reduction look like at Preble Street?

“I am a human being. Part of my job, part of being alive, is making sure others are, too.” Joe Kreisler, Preble Street Founder Every ten days, a client at one of Preble Street’s programs experiences an overdose. Preble Street staff respond to these overdoses, reversing as many as possible, saving lives, and compassionately utilizing

Read More »

Preventing youth from becoming unhoused

One of the most important things we can do for young people experiencing difficult, unsafe, or unstable situations is to find alternative options to entering emergency shelter. The impact of diverting youth from spending even just one night in a shelter bed can make a significant impact over their lifetime. “Once someone accesses emergency shelter,

Read More »

Carrying the values of Preble Street – Peter Adams

For the past 25 years, Peter Adams has been a fixture at Preble Street, helping to keep the buildings maintained, clients and staff safe, and the community clean. But, he’s done so much more for Preble Street than just his job duties – he’s been a friend to all who have come in our doors

Read More »

Teen Services opens Transitional Living Program in Biddeford

The sun is peaking through the clouds on an overcast March day, and boots can be heard squishing and squealing in the muddy ground. The Preble Street Teen Services team move furniture into the building that will become Preble Street’s new site-based Transitional Living Program (TLP) for youth in Biddeford. The staff smiles and laughs, as

Read More »