Overview
- Housing officials say roughly 1,800 Mainers currently rely on Continuum of Care aid, with more than 300 in Bangor.
- HUD’s new notice limits Continuum of Care awards so no more than 30% can fund permanent supportive housing, a major shift away from housing-first.
- Maine received about $22 million last year, more than $16 million of which supported permanent supportive housing, highlighting the scale of the potential cut.
- Gov. Janet Mills and providers warn the policy could quickly increase unsheltered homelessness, and Bangor’s public health director says it could worsen an ongoing HIV outbreak.
- Applications are due Jan. 14, as bipartisan lawmakers nationally urge HUD to pause the changes and providers warn of widespread displacement.