UPDATE FEBRUARY 24, 2026: Mainers experiencing homelessness need you to advocate for shelter funding now! After the public hearing and work session on the shelter funding bill earlier this month, the Housing and Economic Development Committee has tabled the bill and is scheduling another work session. We cannot let this bill die in committee! From York to … Read more
Maine needs and deserves safe, accessible, professionally run, and sustainable emergency shelters that can meet the needs of the growing number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our state. On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, shelter executive directors and staff from across the state went to Augusta to advocate for a sustainable funding source that … Read more
Tell your Maine legislators to support LD 2106! Increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, as part of the dehumanizingly named ‘Operation Catch of the Day,’ is creating constant fear and anxiety for so many of our neighbors, leaving them scared to leave their homes, go to work, take their children to school, seek … Read more
Hailey Virusso, Director of Preble Street Anti-Trafficking Services, spoke with News Center Maine about human trafficking in our state. Watch here. ACTION ALERT: On Wednesday, February 4, Maine’s Health and Human Services Committee will hold a public hearing on LD 2136, An Act to Support Victims of Trafficking in Maine in Response to Federal Funding … Read more
TAKE ACTION to Protect Maine’s Public Schools, Hospitals, Daycares, and Libraries from ICE Keeping vulnerable people safe is core to the Preble Street mission. And right now, many of our community members, rightfully so, do not feel safe. Increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, as part of the dehumanizingly named ‘Operation Catch of the Day,’ is creating constant fear and anxiety for so many of our neighbors. Targeting … Read more
The second session of the 132nd Maine Legislature began on January 7 and will run until April 15. Maine’s Legislature works in two-year cycles that include a long and a short session. We are in the short session, which covers only two types of bills: carry-overs (bills filed last session that still need to be … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
This month we celebrated the 30th anniversary of Homeless Voices for Justice (HVJ)! Since 1995, HVJ has ensured that the voices of people with lived experience of homelessness are heard by people in power. Preble Street Founder Joe Kreisler knew that true change can only occur when people who are experiencing a problem are part of … Read more
Donate here to help Preble Street provide emergency food to people in need in Maine! Volunteer with Preble Street to help produce up to 10,000 meals a day. Update: December 3, 2025 While last month’s SNAP benefit emergency was resolved, the ongoing SNAP crisis is not. The massive cuts to SNAP and Medicaid made in this … Read more