As Maine Prepares For Winter, MaineHousing Announces $2 Millon In Warming Shelter Grants

Funding For The Effort Was Approved By The Maine Legislature And Governor Janet Mills As Part Of The Emergency Housing Relief Fund

AUGUSTA - Twelve overnight warming shelters scattered across the state from Presque Isle to Biddeford will be open this winter thanks to over $2 million from the state's Emergency Housing Relief Fund (EHRF), MaineHousing announced Monday.

"This emergency housing fund, which was approved by Governor Janet Mills and the Maine Legislature for the third consecutive time in 2024, provides critical support for these much-needed overnight warming shelters that are helping keep some of our most vulnerable residents safe and warm during the coldest months of the year," said MaineHousing Director Dan Brennan.

"The partners that have been selected for these funds have taken innovative approaches to providing services to those experiencing homelessness in winter in Maine. We are grateful to all of them."

The EHRF has been a critical tool in the Mills Administration's ongoing efforts to confront Maine's affordable housing crisis, and part of an historic multi-year effort by Governor Mills and her team to improve the state's housing conditions.

"These overnight warming shelters will play a vital role in protecting people from the cold during our harsh winter months. I am grateful for the communities that have responded to this important need and thank MaineHousing for distributing this financial support, which I proposed, and the Legislature approved," said Governor Janet Mills. "My Administration will continue to work with MaineHousing, the Legislature, local communities, and other partners to continue to address the need for short-term emergency housing and attainable, long-term housing across Maine."

Over the last four years, the Mills administration has dedicated more than $300 million in state and federal funding to combat homelessness and create affordable housing all across the state of Maine. Since her first day in office, Governor Mills has prioritized affordable housing and has remained a strong and supportive advocate of the work being done in this critical arena.

While much of this funding will be awarded to organizations that have shown success in the past, this round of funding also includes newly-established entities that are helping in parts of Maine that were previously short on shelter accomoadations or had efforts in place that were funded only by limited local resources.

"As freezing weather bears down on our state in the upcoming months, I am grateful for this MaineHousing funding and our community partners, New Beginnings and Kaydenz Kitchen, who are doing the work of helping our unhoused neighbors," said Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline.

Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman said he was grateful MaineHousing had selected the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center as it would help add daytime and weekend warming resources for his community.

"The support for daytime and weekend programming is especially strategic," Grohman said. "This helps ensure that everyone in Biddeford can have a safe place to sleep and access to essential services as we continue our partnerships to support our unhoused neighbors."

This package of grants will, in most cases, be used in conjunction with and leverage other local and state resources being applied to respond to those facing a winter housing crisis.

"When awarding these resources, we always look to get the most we can from the investment of precious public dollars; we work to stretch those dollars whenever possible and have made difficult choices at times as we know the demand and the need is great in many places," MaineHousing Senior Director of Homeless Initiatives Lauren Bustard said.

The following chart details the successful grantees, shelter locations, the number of people each warming shelter can accommodate, and the grant award amount:

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