The Maine State Housing Authority has awarded a total of more than $2 million to seven school districts in an effort to reduce and prevent student homelessness.
As part of the Student Homelessness Prevention Program, these awards will be used to support local efforts serving nearly 1,300 students and their families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
This program was created by the State Legislature in 2025 for the purpose of “identifying students and families of students who are at risk of homelessness and providing direct financial assistance to help them maintain stable permanent housing.”
Prior to this, MaineHousing was given $2 million as part of the state’s 2024 supplemental budget to create a pilot program aimed at reducing student homelessness. In January 2025, grants were awarded to five school districts and were expected to help up to 1,700 students and their families.
Funding for this latest round of awards comes from the Emergency Housing Relief Fund (EHRF), which was created by the state government in 2021 and can be used by MaineHousing to support a range of housing-related initiatives.
These seven one-year awards are intended to help school districts “hire or retain homelessness prevention and housing navigation specialists,” as well as provide “housing stability services” and offer “flexible direct financial assistance.”
Funds may be used for rental assistance, security and utility deposits, transportation, and other expenses that help maintain or secure housing.
“MaineHousing is pleased to support these dedicated and innovative school districts in their work to prevent and reduce student homelessness in Maine,” said MaineHousing Director Daniel Brennan.
“We know these funds will help many families bridge the gap to housing stability, and we are deeply grateful to the school systems working to support students and families facing a housing crisis,” said Brennan. “Preventing homelessness in the first place is both the humane solution and the most cost-effective strategy.”
“Unfortunately, this September, too many students will not have a home to return to at the end of the school day,” said Rep. Mike Brennan of Portland, a sponsor of the legislation that made this funding available to schools.
“This joint effort by the Maine State Housing Authority and the Maine Department of Education will help hundreds of homeless students and their families secure permanent housing,” Rep. Brennan added.
The Maine State Housing Authority will monitor spending and outcomes for this program.
The largest award was worth $800,000 and was given to Portland Public Schools, while Cape Elizabeth Schools received the smallest, valued at $18,000.
School districts serving South Portland, Bath, Biddeford, Ellsworth, and Lewiston also received funding through the program.
Click Here to Read the Maine State Housing Authority’s Full Press Release
