11/2/2009 - On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which includes $1.5 billion for a Homelessness Prevention Fund. Funding for this program, called the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP), is being distributed based on the formula used for the Emergency Shelter Grants program. For more information on HPRP, please visit www.hudhre.info/HPRP/

The City of Portland Health and Human Services Department, Social Services Division was awarded a two year grant of $876,120 for the new Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program. These funds are being used for HPRP staff salaries. Housing counselors were hired to provide housing relocation and stabilization services. Housing counselors will assist clients in finding, securing and maintaining their housing. In addition to Portland’s 2 year grant, the City of Portland has entered into an agreement with the State Of Maine for $909,816 for Engagement and Stabilization services and $307,217 for security deposits. (See Engagement and Stabilization services below.) Security deposits will be administered for Cumberland County residents that qualify. A portion of these funds will be used for data and collection, HMIS fees, and administrative fees.

This program is a collaboration between the City of Portland and a non-profit agency, Preble Street. This program has 6.8 Housing counselors who are city employees as well as 3 caseworkers who are Preble Street employees. Our shared offices are located at 194 Lancaster Street. We have daily walk in hours as well as being accessible in the evenings at Oxford Street’s Shelter for Men and Preble Street’s shelter for women.

The goal of this program is to rapidly transition families and individuals from a housing crisis or homelessness into housing stability/self sufficiency. All program participants will be expected to help create and follow through on a housing plan. In addition to minimum criteria, client will be screened by a member of the HPRP team. Screening should identify the clients that with support have the greatest likelihood of housing stability/self sufficiency outside of our temporary program.

Portland HPRP Services may include:
-Case Management services: Housing search & placement assistance, a onetime security deposit, connection to mainstream resources, coordination of services, and on-going support to maintain housing.
-Engagement and Stabilization: Clients qualifying under Engagement & Stabilization Services must be chronically homeless with apparent or diagnosed mental illness or co-occurring disorder. Eligible assistance may include security deposit, rent, utility payment or utility debt.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements: To qualify for HPRP one must be: at or below 50% of AMI (Area Median Income)(the City of Portland AMI for FY 09 is $72,400, thus the qualifications are: for one person $25,350, for two persons $28,950, and for three persons $32,600), currently homeless or within 2 weeks of homelessness, a Portland resident (for Case Management and Engagement & Stabilization), a Cumberland County Resident (for Security Deposit). Clients must meet with HPRP worker for screening, agree to HMIS participation, and have no other permanent housing options available.


Other Information that may be necessary to determine eligibility:

•Current Income (Please bring verification of all income to the eligibility screening)
•Housing Status
•History of Past Housing
•Plan for New Housing
•Health/Mental Health/ Substance Use History

For our open hours or to make a referral please call referral line at (207) 828-4774.
For more information please call Angela Havlin 775-7911 ext 238 or Jennie Soares at 775-7911 ext 266