Preble Street Veterans Housing Services (VHS), in partnership with other Veterans services agencies* across the state have come together to dramatically reduce Veteran homelessness in Maine.
Earlier this month, VHS and partners launched a housing surge to get as many homeless Veterans as possible into housing in the 100 days leading up to Veterans’ Day. It began with a 3-day push (August 5-7) to outreach and house as many unsheltered Veterans as possible in four counties: Cumberland, Kennebec, Penobscot, and York. During that 3-day period, outreach caseworkers connected with 22 unsheltered Veterans, many of whom were immediately able to access emergency shelter or an emergency housing assistance placement. The rest of the surge will cover the entire state with a focus on both unsheltered and sheltered Veterans.
Veterans Housing Services caseworker, Brian, shares incredible story of unsheltered
Veteran who was immediately housed after connecting with Preble Street:
“So this Veteran, who started the day with no connection to any meaningful resources,
is now sleeping in a hotel while we wait for his new apartment to be ready for him.”
While connecting with unhoused Veterans, Preble Street and partners are working to reach landlords throughout the state to let them know about the surge and encourage them to help end Veteran homelessness in Maine by working with us. Landlords who join the initiative and work to house Veterans may receive financial assistance, ongoing tenant support, and make a real difference in the lives of Veterans.
Landlords and other community members interested in supporting these efforts should visit nohomelessveterans.org for more information.
No homeless Mainers
Preble Street is filled with gratitude for the governmental and other resources that allow us to quickly serve and house Veterans experiencing homelessness. It has allowed us to dramatically decrease Veteran homelessness in Maine. We are within reach of ensuring that every Maine Veteran has a home.
If these same resources were applied more broadly, we could also ensure that every Mainer has a home. No one deserves to endure the trauma of homelessness, especially for prolonged periods of time. We know that a housing first approach works. We know that access to food and physical and mental health care allow more people to stay housed. It’s time we made these solutions available to all.
*The No Homeless Veterans coalition, led by Preble Street Veterans Housing Services, has successfully completed two similar housing surges for Veterans in 2021 and 2023. See the list of organizations here.
Doubling down on our mission in our 50th year
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1j-w6NGTyc This short video reflects back on some of the impactful events of 2025 As I reflect on the 50th year of Preble Street, I’m struck by the contrasts. There was much cause for celebration — assuming operations of the Hope House low-barrier shelter in Bangor, the Grand Opening of the Food Security Hub, celebrating our
Annual Homeless Persons’s Memorial Vigil
VIGIL LOCATION CHANGE: Tonight’s Annual Homeless Persons’ Vigil has been moved to First Parish Portland Unitarian Universalist at 425 Congress Street, Portland. A candlelight procession will start at the MaineHealth-Preble Street Learning Collaborative, located at 20 Portland Street, at 4:30 pm and proceed to First Parish. Attendees are also welcome to gather inside First Parish beginning
Staff highlight: Rich Tucker – Helping clients move forward
Preble Street staff are #CompassionInAction, and we want you to get to know them! This month we’re introducing you to Rich Tucker, Housing Support Worker, Teen Services How long have you worked at Preble Street? And in your current program? I’ve been at Preble Street since November 2005, and with Teen Services for almost 4 years. What do you