Emergency shelters, transitional housing, rental assistance programs, and housing navigation services across Maine. Help is available whether you need a place tonight or long-term housing support.
Finding stable housing in Maine starts with knowing what help is available. If you need a place to stay tonight, call 211 to connect with the nearest emergency shelter. For longer-term help, Maine offers Section 8 housing vouchers through a centralized waitlist at maine.affordablehousing.com or by calling (866) 357-4853. Every town in Maine also provides General Assistance, a municipal program that can help cover rent and utilities in an emergency. Apply at your local town office. See our complete guide to rent assistance in Maine for step-by-step instructions.
City of Portland
Portland's primary emergency shelter, replacing the former Oxford Street Shelter. 208 beds with on-site health clinic, mental health services, workforce training, and case management. Low-barrier, no ID or sobriety required.
Preble Street
Emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing for women experiencing homelessness. 24-hour staffing, low-barrier access. Call at 1:00 PM to check bed availability. No waiting list.
Avesta Housing
Northern New England's largest nonprofit affordable housing provider with 3,200+ apartments across 100+ properties. Applications accepted for waitlist. Also offers housing counseling and homebuyer education.
Lewiston Housing
Manages public housing and Section 8 vouchers in Lewiston. Over 700 affordable housing units for low-income families, elderly, and disabled residents. Applications accepted for waitlist.
Safe Voices
Emergency shelter and comprehensive services for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. 24-hour hotline, confidential shelter, legal advocacy, children's programs, and support groups serving Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties.
Community Care
Emergency shelter for youth ages 10-20. The only youth shelter serving northern Maine's five counties. 24-hour safe haven with meals, case management, and transitional living program.
Bangor Area Homeless Shelter
Emergency shelter for sober adults in greater Bangor. 38+ beds, free daily lunch at noon, food pantry, day program, and connections to housing and employment resources.
New Beginnings Inc.
Maine's only licensed 24-hour emergency shelter for youth ages 10-20. Also offers transitional housing for ages 16-21, street outreach, and a drop-in center with meals, showers, and case management.
Preble Street
Low-barrier 56-bed emergency shelter with free meals 7 days a week. Case management, housing navigation, clothing, and laundry. No sobriety or ID requirements.
Bread of Life Ministries
Emergency shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Structured program with case management to help residents work toward permanent housing and employment.
Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center
Neighborhood center addressing housing and food insecurity. Free meals, showers, computer access, help obtaining IDs, and resource coordination. Partners with city to house unhoused individuals.
City of Biddeford
City program providing emergency help with rent, utilities, food, and basic necessities for eligible Biddeford residents. Also has a social worker for unhoused residents.