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Investing in Maine’s People for a Bright, Sustainable Future.

As New Mainers settle here and we strive to expand our workforce, the need for transitional housing grows urgent.

ABOUT

Strengthening Maine’s Population

Maine needs workers and our cities and towns need younger people. But we don’t have a good method for welcoming new arrivals, connecting them to systems, and integrating them into our communities and our workforce.

That’s why Safe in Maine is fundraising to establish transitional housing.

Transitional housing will help us realize the opportunity to resettle new families today as an investment in Maine’s future. And this housing will benefit generations of Mainers for decades to come.

THE CHALLENGE

Rising Numbers, Lack of Coordination

Our current system is reactive, not proactive. In fact, it can't really be called a "system."

New people

arrive each week

Asylum seekers face persecution in their home countries. Due to civil unrest, war, poverty, famine, and climate shocks, more people are expected to flow into Maine over time.

Temporary placements

are scattered & disorganized

Families shelter wherever space can be found, sometimes without essential amenities like adequate sleeping space and restrooms, or access to showers, laundry, or kitchens. With families so scattered, services are tough to access and deliver.

Hotel availability

is unpredictable and inconsistent

Rooms in use today may not be available tomorrow, next week, or next month. There is little stability as families have to relocate, often multiple times.

Hotel rooms

are expensive and unsustainable

In Greater Portland, an average hotel room costs $240 per night, or $7,200 per month, per family. We can do better and pay less.

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THE SOLUTION

Our Vision

We’re raising money to establish transitional housing communities.

Transitional Housing is secure housing with supportive services. It's designed to provide people with the stability and connections that will allow them to move to permanent housing.

It can come in many forms, from our Efficient Home Transitional Housing Community vision to our proposal to use vacant college dorms and an underutilized campus. Both models save taxpayer money while providing a better environment and service model.

See our Efficient Home proposal

See our Unity College proposal

Benefits of transitional housing communities:

Increased affordable housing stock that will serve us for generations to come

Reduced burden — human and financial — on municipalities and service providers

Stability for families as they regroup and connect to systems

Community spaces to provide and access support services

An intentional system for integrating new arrivals into the community

Shortened stays in transitional housing

We couldn’t do it without our partners.

Interested in Becoming a Partner?

Contact Us

CONTACT

Need to get in touch?

Questions? Feedback? Want to work together? Use the form below to contact Belinda Ray, GPCOG’s Director of Strategic Partnerships