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 … Read more

Staff highlight: Tim Stokes – Housing problem-solving

Preble Street staff are #CompassionInAction, and we want you to get to know them! This month we’re introducing you to Tim Stokes, Case Worker, Rapid Re-Housing Program! How long have you worked at Preble Street? Since January 2025. What do you like best about your role? Everyone’s situation is different – but a stable housing arrangement often depends on many things coming together. I enjoy tracking down these things and connecting resources to help others regain a sense of autonomy.

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

1,200 Mainers at risk of reentering homelessness

CALL TO ACTION Call and email Senators Collins and King, and Representatives Golden and Pingree as often as you can — every day — and implore them to demand that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) revise their disastrous changes to federal homelessness and housing policy.   If they do not, more than 1,200 … Read more

Federal attacks on people in poverty

Instead of providing solutions to hunger, homelessness, and poverty, an onslaught of recent federal actions and policies are attacking the people suffering from these challenges. The massive cuts to food assistance (SNAP), Medicaid, and homeless prevention and housing programs are harming thousands of Mainers, including older adults, people with disabilities, Veterans, families, homeless youth and … Read more

No Homeless Veterans

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. … Read more

Seeing the possibilities

Mark Swann’s remarks from the Preble Street 50th Anniversary Celebration  Thank you to every single person who is here tonight. I am so blown away by seeing how many of you came out tonight to help us celebrate 50 years.    I am really proud of all of the work that we’ve done at Preble Street. … Read more

Basic Needs −> Shelter −> Long-term Solutions

50 years ago, Joe Kreisler founded Preble Street as a real-world training ground for his students at the University of Southern Maine and a place for Portland’s most vulnerable residents to receive basic services—meals, clothing, bathrooms, etc.—and to connect to resources for healthcare, mental health treatment, employment, and more. “I am a human being. Part … Read more