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. PCHC kicked off the construction this month on the building, which includes the emergency shelter, operated by Preble Street, and the transitional housing, 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.
Celebrating increased support for homeless youth!
We’re celebrating some good news this Youth Homelessness Awareness Month! Preble Street Teen Services was recently awarded a grant from the Family and Youth Service Bureau to fund a Maternity Group Home and Street Outreach Program. This 3-year grant allows us to expand our housing options to specifically serve pregnant and parenting youth and fulfills
Federal government decimates funding to housing programs
As we shared earlier this month, there will soon be more tents and encampments popping up throughout Maine. In a continuation of massive cuts to programs helping people living in poverty, the current Administration has announced a huge change to how it will fund housing and homeless services. This new approach will decimate permanent supportive
Staff highlight: Jacob Speakman – Creativity and confidence in the kitchen
Preble Street staff are #CompassionInAction, and we want you to get to know them! This month we’re introducing you to Jacob Speakman, Sous Chef at Preble Street Hope House Name, title, and program: Jacob Speakman, Sous Chef, Preble Street Hope House How long have you worked in your program? I started working in the Hope House Kitchen in