Exciting news: Renovations have begun at the Preble Street Hope House shelter in Bangor!
Preble Street assumed operations of Hope House in February, keeping one of Maine’s largest shelters open and ensuring that 56 people continued to have a warm, safe place to sleep and access to meals, clothing, laundry, and support to help them connect with housing, health care, family, and other critical resources.
The City of Bangor and Penobscot County understand the importance of emergency shelter and supported funding for renovations at Hope House. Penobscot Community Health Care (PCHC) owns the building, and kicked off the construction this month on the building. The building houses the emergency shelter, operated by Preble Street, and a transitional housing program, operated by PCHC. When these renovations are complete, Hope House will be an even more welcoming, safe, and trauma-informed space for people experiencing homelessness. This renovation will also allow us to increase capacity from 56 to 68 permanent shelter beds. These 12 additional beds will bring more people inside where they can get the care and services they need to move into permanent housing and a more stable future.
Staff at the Hope House groundbreaking
Shelters across the state are at capacity every night. Every tent and encampment you see is a visual representation that Maine needs more shelter beds, and that shelters need continued support to be able to keep their doors open. With the federal government continuing to cut funding for food assistance, health care, and housing, we can only expect the need for shelters to grow.
Low-barrier access to emergency shelters like Hope House is often the first step for unhoused people on their journey to safety, health, and stable long-term housing. To shore up Maine’s emergency shelter network in anticipation of increased homelessness, call or write to Governor Janet Mills, asking for increased permanent funding for emergency shelters. This funding will keep Maine’s emergency shelter beds open and ready for the anticipated influx of people seeking shelter, especially during these cold winter months.
“People should not be discarded,” a conversation with Pastor Jeff Logan
Preble Street’s work is never done in isolation. We are continuously making connections with other social service providers and nonprofits to better serve clients and the needs of the community. This month, we are highlighting Pastor Jeff Logan, Executive Director and co-pastor at Grace-Street Ministry in Portland. Share a little bit about yourself and what brought
Home for Good
“The turning point came when my father was accepted at Huston Commons. This housing development … provided more than just shelter; it offered a comprehensive support system tailored to the needs of my dad. At Huston Commons, my father found safety, stability, and a community that helped him rebuild his life. The onsite support services, including harm
4 things to know about social work at Preble Street
1. It’s about relationships, not just services. Caseworkers don’t just help connect people to food and housing. They focus on building true human connections with the individuals they work with. Listening, treating each individual with dignity and respect, and getting to know someone’s story are all important parts of the work. At Preble Street, social workers see