There are Maine Veterans across the state experiencing homelessness, sleeping outside, living in their cars, couch surfing, and sleeping in shelters. This is not the way Maine should be.
Mainers are united in the belief that no Veteran should have to endure the struggle of homelessness. To reach the goal of ending Veteran homelessness in Maine by June of 2025, Preble Street Veterans Housing Services (VHS) is working alongside a coalition of partners to tackle this solvable problem. This coalition of partners is known as the No Homeless Veterans initiative and is composed of fellow non-profits, government agencies, and other community partners, all dedicated to the mission of ending Veteran homelessness in Maine.
Preble Street has launched a brand-new website for the No Homeless Veterans initiative, as a resource for Veterans experiencing homelessness, Landlords who want to help, and as an educational resource for our community.
The No Homeless Veterans Initiative
Veteran homelessness increased 84% in Maine during the first year of the pandemic. The time it took to connect Veterans to housing grew from an average of 86 days to 232 days. Partners throughout the state responded to this crisis with the 100 Veteran Challenge in August 2021, aiming to house 100 Veterans and their families in 100 days. Some agencies — including VHS — provided outreach, casework, and housing connections; others donated furniture, provided move-in assistance, or raised awareness of the critical need for landlords. The 100 Veteran Challenge was a resounding success, nearly doubling the rate at which Veterans were being housed.
In August of 2023, community partners came together again to launch No Homeless Veterans for another campaign to house 100 Veterans in 100 days, with the long-term goal of ending Veteran homelessness in Maine by June 2025. The No Homeless Veterans coalition held an event at the University of Southern Maine to kick off the launch. Dan Hodgkins, Challenge Chair & Preble Street Senior Director of Social Work moderated a panel of esteemed guests, featuring U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough, Senator Angus King, and Representative Chellie Pingree, to discuss the challenges and path to ending Veteran homelessness in Maine.
What does Preble Street Veterans Housing Services do?
Preble Street Veterans Housing Services (VHS) assists Veterans and their families in finding and maintaining stable housing and works to end homelessness among Veterans throughout Maine. Our team covers all 16 counties in the state and has offices in Portland, Lewiston, and Bangor, ME.
Success depends on public and private partnerships and compassionate communities. As such, the VHS program is a collaborative effort of Preble Street with Pine Tree Legal Assistance, funded by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ Supportive Services for Veteran Families.
With the support of government agencies and community partners, Preble Street has helped to form No Homeless Veterans to accelerate the mission of VHS and ensure that instances of homelessness among Veterans in Maine are rare, brief, and non-recurring.
What services does Veterans Housing Services provide?
VHS provides the services and supports needed to overcome barriers in finding and maintaining housing. These supports include case management, intensive housing counseling, and direct financial assistance for security deposits, first month’s rent, and utility fees.
Other services and supports include:
- Housing search and placement
- Budget counseling
- Information and referral for entitlements, VA benefits, and programs
- Referrals to employment specialists
- Outreach
Who is eligible for support from VHS?
We work with individuals, and families of those, who have served in the military and are experiencing housing instability. Certain conditions apply.
For more information, visit https://nohomelessveterans.org or contact the VHS office by phone at 207-956-6556 or 1-800-377-5709 (Toll Free). You can email the VHS team at vhs@preblestreet.org. VHS staff will assess each individual situation.
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