Preble Street Receives $300,000 From KeyBank Foundation
Summary
Specifically, KeyBanks donation will help enable two Preble Street initiatives designed to help Maine meet this ambitious goal: (1) the development of a comprehensive, intensive Site-Based Housing First (SBHF) Training and Technical Assistance program for developers and service providers statewide; and (2) the expansion of the organizations successful, 24-hour social work support services model to a new SBHF program in Portland to serve an additional 30 people experiencing chronic homelessness.With this commitment, the KeyBank Foundation shows its support for a simple concept everyone deserves housing and the support necessary to maintain it, said Preble Street Executive Director Mark Swann. With the current unsheltered homelessness crisis facing our state and more than 140 people already on the waiting list for existing Site-based Housing First apartments, this funding will allow us to help many other individuals find safety and a place to call home. Founded in 1975, Preble Street responds to urgent social problems through emergency services, long-term solutions, and advocacy that seeks to end homelessness and hunger in Maine. It is the states largest nonprofit provider of homeless services to youth and adults and is a leader in statewide planning for both populations.Preble Street currently operates three SBHF programs in Portland: Logan Place, Florence House, and Huston Commons. With the recent passage of the State of Maines LD 2: An Act to End Chronic Homeless by Creating the Housing First Fund, Preble Street is uniquely positioned to lead the implementation of this plan by replicating and scaling its successful model across the state, providing proven and cost-effective solutions that can functionally end chronic homelessness for so many in Maine.KeyBank believes that everyone in our community should have safe, affordable housing and we are committed to providing access to capital and support to neighborhoods and neighbors who have often faced financial barriers, said KeyBanks Maine Market President, Tony DiSotto.