Midcoast Youth Benefit from $2 Million Dollars in State Grants from Maine Housing to Prevent Youth Homelessness
$442,000 Grant Expands Youth Homelessness Prevention Services in Midcoast Maine
Sagadahoc County, ME — A successful grant proposal focused on preventing student homelessness will bring $442,000 to Maine’s Midcoast region, serving nearly 300 students who are unstably housed. The grant was secured by Regional School Unit 1 (RSU 1) in partnership with Midcoast Youth Center (MYC), and it is one of 5 grants awarded across the state on January 15 that total $2,000,000.
The funding enables the addition of two homeless prevention and housing navigation specialist positions at the Merrymeeting Support Collaborative for Youth Experiencing Homelessness, operated by Midcoast Youth Center & Skatepark. While the Collaborative has historically served RSU 1 and MSAD 75, this grant allows for expansion into Brunswick and Richmond school districts. Nearly $250,000 of those funds will be allocated for emergency financial assistance to help families maintain or obtain housing.
“This is fantastic news! On behalf of the Richmond School Department, THANK YOU to everyone involved and for including Richmond! We are excited and thankful to be partnering with all of you,” said Chad Kempton, Superintendent of Schools at Richmond School Department.
“Our existing homeless prevention program with Merrymeeting Support Collaborative and MYC has been crucial in identifying students at risk and connecting them with resources before they lose housing. This additional funding will allow us to reach more families earlier, provide more comprehensive support, and ensure students can focus on their education rather than wondering where they’ll sleep at night. The impact of stable housing on academic success cannot be overstated,” said Katie Joseph, RSU 1 Assistant Superintendent.
This grant is part of nearly $700,000 in total funding secured for the region through two successful MaineHousing grant applications in recent months, with Midcoast Youth Center playing a leading role. MYC believes that young people should have no barriers to access basic needs: shelter, safety, food and should be provided with equitable opportunities for enrichment and action/adventure sports, regardless of income. These grants to serve RSU 1, MSAD 75, Brunswick and Richmond are a manifestation of that belief.
Jamie Dorr, Executive Director at MYC shared that “this funding is transformative for our mission to unlock the inherent potential of every young person. When youth are worried about basic needs like housing, they can’t focus on growing, learning, or discovering their passions. By expanding our prevention services and emergency assistance, we’re not just avoiding homelessness – we’re creating the stable foundation young people need to truly thrive. This grant allows us to reach more youth at critical moments and demonstrate that their community believes in them.”
The funding comes from a one-time source supported by Governor Janet Mills and the Maine Legislature, according to the Maine Housing announcement on January 15. Awarded in collaboration with the Maine Department of Education, these grants could benefit up to 1,700 students and their families statewide in avoiding homelessness. The Maine Legislature directed MaineHousing to work with the Maine Department of Education in establishing criteria for these pilot program grants, which aim to determine best practices for preventing student homelessness in Maine. More information is available at mainehousing.org
This link takes you to the state’s announcement: MaineHousing awards $2 million in state grants to prevent student homelessness.