Conference on Homelessness: Solutions Start with ME

“By being present here today, as well as by paying attention every day, by thoughtfully connecting the dots between the tragedy of homelessness and the racial inequities, social determinants of health, gentrification pressures, and widening economic inequities that cause homelessness, you are the group of people I am most optimistic about creating the change that … Read more

Two years of impact at the Elena’s Way Wellness Shelter

October 2024 marks two years of service to vulnerable community members experiencing unsheltered homelessness at the Elena’s Way Wellness Shelter. Since opening its doors, Elena’s Way has provided over 18,000 bed nights to individuals experiencing homelessness.   That represents more than 18,000 times that a person has been able to sleep inside a warm, safe, and dignified shelter environment instead of … Read more

Homeless Voices for Justice hosts 2024 Candidate Forums

This October, Homeless Voices for Justice (HVJ) conducted its annual Candidate Forums, hosting candidates running for Portland City Council and the US House at Preble Street Offices and the City of Portland’s Homeless Services Center. HVJ is a grassroots social change organization that works with, and on behalf of, people with lived experience of homelessness and poverty. HVJ … Read more

Preble Street awards Force for Good Award to Greg Payne at 2024 Conference on Homelessness

Preble Street, a nonprofit social service agency committed to serving the most vulnerable people in Maine for the past 50 years, yesterday awarded Greg Payne, Senior Advisor, Housing Policy, in the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF), with its Force for Good Award. The award was presented during the Second Biennial Conference … Read more

Preble Street to host Second, Biennial Conference on Homelessness

There are a wide range of complex factors contributing to the homelessness crisis in Maine: a lack of affordable housing and accessible emergency shelter, inconsistent shelter funding, an increase in unsheltered individuals, and rising numbers of people needing support for substance use disorders and behavioral health issues. Preble Street and the Atlantic Charitable Fund are … Read more

Letter from Swannie: Spring/Summer 2024

PHOTO: Partnership at work! Staff from Greater Portland Health, Maine Medical Center, and Preble Street recently celebrated the one year anniversary of recuperative care in Maine Anti-poverty work is far too important and complex to expect any one organization to be able to do it alone. Partnerships and collaboration are key. I was amazed when … Read more

Landlords are a part of the solution

To address homelessness and housing insecurity in Maine, the help and support of landlords is critical. Preble Street works closely with landlords to identify and maintain stable housing for clients. Their partnership is crucial to successfully housing people, who are transitioning from shelter or the street. Veteran’s Housing Services (VHS), in particular, frequently works alongside landlords … Read more

Mental health and homelessness: get to know the facts

Although we don’t have a vaccine for mental health or substance use disorders, we do have practical and effective solutions. They are the effective and evidence-based practices we know work — access to treatment, harm reduction services, mental health support, peer support groups, and perhaps most importantly, educating our community to reduce stigma and promote … Read more

A Busy 131 Legislative Session for Preble Street

Advocacy has been embedded into the Preble Street mission since our founding in 1975. In tandem with our Site-based Housing First programs, the Food Security Hub, Rapid Re-Housing and many other programs, Preble Street conducts advocacy and policy work through multiple channels to address homelessness, hunger, and poverty. Our advocacy includes community organizing, with events … Read more