QHC News

Maine's eviction prevention program has run out of funding — when advocates say it's needed most

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 20:02:20 GMT

Published by Maine Public | by Nicole Ogrysko

In Terry Wain's Caribou apartment, there's just enough room for a recliner, a TV and a queen-sized bed beyond the front door. A coat closet serves as storage for him and his wife. The bedroom upstairs is for his teenage son.

"Bedroom-living room combo, open concept," he said, laughing.

The place is small, Wain said, but they're making it work. Wain is disabled and he and his wife rely on federal disability benefits to pay their rent, about $875 a month.

"We were doing fine, up until this all happened to me," he said.

Last fall, Wain said he was home one night watching TV when suddenly, he couldn't breathe. He was taken to the local hospital and then LifeFlighted to Bangor. He eventually returned home, but then it happened again. He was LifeFlighted a second time, underwent triple bypass surgery and spent about a month recovering in the hospital.

His family drove the 170 miles to visit him and sometimes stayed in a nearby motel. He was covered by MaineCare, but it strained the family emotionally and financially.

"It took everything I had, everything everybody had," he said. "So I got behind in my rent."

Portland nonprofit raising money to help immigrant families prevent eviction

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:52:14 GMT

Published by Portland Press Herald by Hannah LaClaire

A Portland housing nonprofit is raising money to help pay rent for immigrants who are either detained by ICE or who miss work because they are afraid of being detained.

Project Home, a nonprofit that helps low-income families find housing, had raised $73,000 by 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to Victoria Morales, executive director.

The increased ICE enforcement in the state represents “an immediate housing crisis,” she said.

Through the emergency housing fund , Project Home aims to help 100 families cover rent or mortgage payments.

Maine can’t wait decades for housing. Funding eviction prevention is vital now.

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 15:13:05 GMT

Published by Bangor Daily News | by Chip Curry and Victoria Morales

Chip Curry is a state senator representing District 11 and serves as co-chair of the Legislature’s Committee on Housing and Economic Development. Victoria Morales is the executive director of Project Home, a Maine nonprofit working to expand housing stability and prevent homelessness.

Maine is currently facing a housing crisis that threatens the very fabric of our communities. While there is a consensus that we must build the 84,000 units of housing needed to stabilize our market, that process is estimated to take 20–30 years. Maine families, seniors, and children living on the brink of displacement cannot wait two decades for a roof over their heads. To prevent a catastrophic surge in homelessness today, Maine must continue to fund and prioritize the Eviction Prevention Program (EPP), a statewide initiative that helps renters avoid eviction and remain stably housed.

The data reveals a stark reality for Maine renters. There is currently a shortage of 20,307 affordable and available rental homes for extremely low-income households. Consequently, 65% of these households are severely cost-burdened, spending more than half of their limited income on housing alone. This leaves little room for other necessities. Many are forced to sacrifice healthy food and health care just to keep their lights on.

The pressure has intensified rapidly. Median rents for new leases in Maine have surpassed national trends, rising by 32.1% between 2019 and 2025. Today, a Mainer making minimum wage would need to work 78 hours a week just to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment. Without intervention, these economic pressures lead directly to the courtroom. In 2023, eviction filings in Maine rose to 6,012 cases, surpassing pre-pandemic averages.

Launched in 2024 and administered by Project Home, a Maine housing nonprofit, in partnership with MaineHousing, the state housing agency, EPP serves as a critical bridge. In its pilot year, the program provided assistance to 1,280 renter households with an average income of just $17,005. This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about people. Half of the program’s applicants were parents or guardians raising children, while 37% were seniors and 22% were adults with disabilities.

The human toll of housing instability is profound. Among EPP applicants, 81% reported that housing concerns caused most or all of their stress, and seven out of ten rated their mental health as “poor” or “fair.” Before receiving help, families were forced into desperate measures: 69% cut back on food, 60% skipped utility payments, and 61% went without needed medical care because they couldn’t afford it.

This Waldo County EPP recipient says it plainly: “We would have most likely been homeless if the EPP hadn’t helped us. It was literally life-changing in so many ways, and I can’t say enough that this is a program that people NEED and should be treated like a priority in an era where so many people are struggling with housing.”

EPP has proven to be a successful, accessible solution. Survey results show that seven out of eight participants maintained their housing after engaging with the program. Furthermore, 70% of applicants found the process easy to navigate, praising the straightforward instructions and helpful staff.

Building 84,000 units is the necessary long-term cure, but EPP is the life-saving emergency care we need right now. We cannot allow thousands of our neighbors to fall into homelessness while we wait for new construction to catch up. By continuing to fund the Eviction Prevention Program, Maine can ensure that “home” remains a reality for our most vulnerable families today, even as we build for tomorrow.

A useful way to understand Maine’s housing crisis is to think of it as a massive wildfire. Building 84,000 new units is like planting a new forest to replace what was lost — a vital, long-term project that takes years to mature. EPP, on the other hand, is the fire department on the scene right now, putting out the flames before they consume the homes and the people inside. We must plant the trees, but we cannot stop fighting the fire.

40 Under 40: Peace Mutesi is a housing advocate motivated by ‘big and small wins’

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 16:25:19 GMT

Peace Mutesi, Director of Economic Opportunity at Quality Housing Coalition, has been named to Mainebiz's 2025 40 Under 40 list. Now in its fourth year, the program recognizes Maine's up-and-coming leaders—the next generation shaping the state and its economy.

Published by Mainebiz

Greatest achievement: Leading and co-designing Project Home Trust and working with the participants. It’s the most meaningful work I have done.

Passion project: Working on individualized goals for my clients and seeing all the big and small wins within the journey.

Lightbulb moment: It was in 2021 when I experienced personal struggles that were out of my control, which made me so determined to help others navigate similar situations with more ease.

Influential book: “ Another Way,” by Dave Whorton with Bo Burlingham

Favorite TV shows: “Game of Thrones” and “Madam Secretary”

Personal hero: My grandfather. He loved bringing people together. He walked to check on all of his neighbors in the morning before going to work every day.

Favorite quote: “It always seems impossible until it is done.” — Nelson Mandela

Best way to recharge: Hanging out with family and friends and listen to music.

Maine’s biggest challenge: Maine faces several intertwined challenges. The housing crisis is severe. Not only is new production far below what’s needed, but much of the existing housing stock isn’t utilized effectively, with high vacancy rates largely due to seasonal properties, and a lot of the existing housing stock that is uninhabitable is not being repurposed. Public transportation is limited, especially in rural regions, making it hard for people to access jobs and services. Childcare is scarce and costly, with barriers to starting and maintaining programs that don’t meet the needs of local families. Rural isolation further compounds these issues, leaving many communities with limited resources and opportunities for connection.

Dinner party guests: The artist Let Babylon Burn, the actress Melissa McCarthy and my grandfather.

New housing report paints dour picture for Portland's poorest renters

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 14:21:27 GMT

Published by Portland Press Herald | by Hannah LaClaire

A new report from Harvard University shows that for the first time, more than half of Portland renters are considered cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing.

More than half of Portland tenants are struggling to afford rent.

According to a new report from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, almost 52% of renters in the Portland-South Portland area are “cost-burdened,” meaning they spend at least 30% of their income on housing. And more than 24% are “severely” cost-burdened, meaning that more than half their income goes to housing.

It’s a new record for the area but one that affordable housing advocates say is unsurprising, given rent increases that have outpaced wage growth, a competitive buyers market, recently sluggish new construction and an uncertain federal policy environment.

The increase distills what advocates, along with policymakers, municipal and state officials and developers have been saying for years: Maine needs to build more housing .

Last year, about 45% of Portland-area renters were considered cost-burdened and just under 24% were severely cost-burdened.

Maine's increases mirror the national picture. Across the country, 50% of renters are cost-burdened, including 27% of renters who are severely burdened, according to the report. It's the third consecutive record-setting year.

"It's just a monstrous problem," said Victoria Morales, executive director of the Quality Housing Coalition.

Advocates call on state lawmakers to continue eviction prevention pilot

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 16:38:40 GMT

Published by Maine Public | by Nicole Ogrysko

Dozens of people, including advocates, formerly unhoused people and social services providers, urged state lawmakers Friday to continue a program meant to help low-income renters stay in their homes.

QHC Executive Director Victoria Morales Receives MAPIL’s Excellence in Public Service Award

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 15:59:25 GMT

The Quality Housing Coalition (QHC) proudly announces its Executive Director, Victoria Morales, has been honored with the Maine Association for Public Interest Law's (MAPIL) Excellence in Public Service Award. Presented annually by MAPIL in collaboration with the Maine Justice Foundation, the Maine Trial Lawyers Association, and the University of Maine School of Law, the award recognizes individuals who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to public interest law and service to vulnerable populations in Maine.

Victoria Morales, who leads QHC in its mission to prevent homelessness and ensure housing stability for low-income individuals and families in Maine, has been at the forefront of addressing the state’s affordable housing crisis. Under her leadership, QHC has provided stable housing to more than 1,200 households and 3,000 individuals through initiatives like Project HOME, a program that partners with landlords to house and stabilize families and individuals in crisis.

Before joining QHC, Morales served in the Maine House of Representatives focusing primarily on policies that remove barriers to access to opportunities for low-income people, including housing and criminal justice reform. As an attorney, she has long advocated for low-income Mainers trapped in crisis systems. Her leadership at QHC reflects this deep commitment to justice and equity.

“MAPIL could not have selected a better recipient of the Excellence in Service Award than Victoria,” said Neil J. Kiely, CEO of Androscoggin Bank. “She is a dynamic, innovative, and compassionate leader with a long track record not only of public service but serving as a truly effective change agent. She contributes at every level, from positively shifting the arc of individual lives to strategically advocating for system change. Maine is fortunate to count her as one of our own.”

"I am deeply honored to receive this award," said Victoria Morales. "It is a reflection not just of my own efforts, but of the critical collective work being done by the team at the Quality Housing Coalition, our partners, and countless advocates across Maine. Ensuring everyone has access to safe, stable housing is fundamental—and I’m proud to stand with those working every day to make that a reality for all Mainers."

This recognition highlights the essential link between legal advocacy, public policy, and direct action in addressing complex challenges like housing insecurity.

About Quality Housing Coalition (QHC):

The Quality Housing Coalition is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving housing stability and quality of life for low-income adults and children in Maine. QHC provides resources, direct assistance, and advocacy to address immediate housing crises and promote systemic change for long-term housing security. Learn more at qualityhousingcoalition.org.

About MAPIL:

The Maine Association for Public Interest Law (MAPIL) is a student organization at the University of Maine School of Law dedicated to promoting careers in public interest law and supporting students pursuing these vital paths.

Victoria Morales receives MAPIL’s Excellence in Public Service Award

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 14:08:57 GMT

The Maine Association for Public Interest Law (MAPIL) auction is a time honored Maine Law tradition, one that has been going strong for 37 years. An integral part of this tradition is also the presentation of the Excellence in Public Service Award, conferred to a Maine Law alum who has dedicated their career to lawyering in the public interest.

This year’s recipient, Victoria Morales ‘05, currently serves as Executive Director of Quality Housing Coalition, a Maine-based nonprofit devoted to tackling the many facets of the affordable housing crisis in the state

Portland Housing Authority has new vouchers for youth exiting foster care

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 17:19:07 GMT

Published by Portland Press Herald | by Grace Benninghoff

For the last four years, the authority has been circulating 17 housing vouchers for young people aging out of foster care. Now they are getting an additional 13.

Eviction relief program is keeping Maine families housed, but high demand depletes funding

Sat, 30 Nov 2024 18:39:45 GMT

Published by Portland Press Herald | by Hannah LaClaire

More than 1,500 are queued up, hoping to receive up to $800 a month in rent relief and a one-time payment to catch up on back rent.

Housing: Rental Challenges

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 19:47:59 GMT

Maine Calling

Published by Maine Public | by Jennifer Rooks, Cindy Han

We continue our series “The Cost of Living: Maine’s Housing Shortage,” with a look at the challenges facing renters in Maine. What are the factors driving up the cost of renting in Maine? And what can someone do if they can no longer afford to stay in their home—or if they are unable to find an affordable rental? Experts share what resources are available, and what potential solutions are in the works.

Panelists:

Victoria Morales , executive director, Quality Housing Coalition

Brit Vitalius , founder, principal, designated broker, Vitalius Real Estate Group

Mike Myatt , executive director, Bangor Housing

VIP Callers:

Nakesha Warren , homeless services hub coordinator for Cumberland County, United Way of Southern Maine

Katy Childs , housing attorney, Augusta regional manager, Pine Tree Legal Assistance

Dylan Jackson , project director, Vinalhaven Housing Initiative

How to apply for Maine’s new eviction prevention program

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 14:26:24 GMT

Published by Bangor Daily News | by Zara Norman

Since it opened Monday, hundreds of renters all over the state have applied for Maine’s pilot eviction prevention program.

The program was allocated $18 million by the Legislature this year to provide relief to Maine residents who owe back rent and face eviction. What sets this program apart from early-pandemic emergency rental relief is that income-qualified applicants will also receive monthly rent subsidies for up to a year beyond back rent, Lucas Schrage, director of housing initiatives at the Quality Housing Coalition, said.

New eviction prevention program; community colleges see record enrollment

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 15:06:44 GMT

Published by Maine Public

Guaranteed income pilot project aims to boost low-income single mothers in Maine

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 18:51:59 GMT

Published by Maine Public | By Ari Snider

Guaranteed income is an idea based on the belief that providing unrestricted cash payments to low-income residents is the best way to help them lift themselves out of poverty. It's a model that's been championed by seemingly disparate figures over the decades, including Martin Luther King, Jr., Richard Nixon, and, more recently, tech entrepreneurs such as Andrew Yang.

Now, one Maine nonprofit has wrapped up a pilot of what it's calling the state's first guaranteed income project.

As many as 1100 Mainers facing eviction could see some level of rent relief

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 18:43:29 GMT

Published by Maine Morning Star | By Eesha Pendharkar

Between 800 and 1,110 Mainers can expect to have a large part of their rent subsidized as soon as next month as Maine launches its pilot rent relief program.

A one-time $18 million appropriation of state funding approved by the Maine Legislature and Gov. Janet Mills was used to create the first state-funded eviction prevention program, aimed at helping households that are in court facing evictions, or have received notices of evictions.

Project HOME Trust Impact Report

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 15:49:00 GMT

Basic Income Pilot Program | Final Impact Assessment

Project Home Trust’s Basic Income Pilot Program had a transformative impact on the households of twenty low-income single mothers from June 2023 to May 2024.

They reported greater ability to meet basic needs and cover emergency expenses, improved outlooks, and better health, which extended to their children. These impacts were immediate and lasting, although they varied over time as households faced life’s inevitable ups and downs. Participants’ spending reflected prudent allocations focused on basic needs, and they reported stable work patterns and increased educational pursuits. When compared to a control group, participants showed substantial positive outcomes across many dimensions of household life.

After strong start, organizers hope to expand Maine’s guaranteed income pilot program

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 15:35:03 GMT

Published by Maine Morning Star | By Eesha Pendharkar

When Zeinab Hijazi moved to Maine in 2022, she used part of the limited money she had to stay in a Portland area motel as she looked for housing. Like others seeking asylum in the United States, the Lebanese mother of two could not legally work for nearly six months, so Hijazi tried to find people who spoke her languages — French and Arabic — at the hotel front desk to seek help. That’s how she met Peace Mutesi.

Mutesi, a fellow single mother who had navigated a similarly frustrating assistance system just a year ago, shared how she managed to secure housing through the Quality Housing Coalition, a Portland-based nonprofit organization where she now works as a project manager.

A Maine program offered single moms a guaranteed monthly income. Here's how it went.

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 18:10:04 GMT

Published by WGME | By Mal Meyer

How would you like $1,000 each month, no strings attached?

A program in Southern Maine is doing just that.

It was part of a pilot project through the Portland-based Quality Housing Coalition.

Basic income pilot project for single mothers shows promising results on economic stability

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 18:08:28 GMT

Published by Maine Public | By Ari Snider

A year-long cash assistance program for low-income single mothers in Maine shows promising results, according to findings from the pilot program released yesterday.

The Quality Housing Coalition launched the basic income initiative last year, providing $1,000 monthly cash payments to 20 single mothers who had previously experienced homelessness. The participants were free to use the money as they saw fit.

Quality Housing Coalition is trying to make life better for single moms

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 15:41:50 GMT

The nonprofit is trying to make life a little better for single mothers. Here's a look at how the first year of the program went.

What a Maine experiment shows us about universal basic income

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 15:43:34 GMT

Published by Bangor Daily News | By Zara Norman

Decky Mbala came to Maine in 2021 with her daughter from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Like many asylum seekers initially barred from working when they get to the U.S., she survived on General Assistance.

The day Mbala got her first paycheck, she lost the state and local aid that covered basic expenses. Without it, she did not know how she was going to pay the $1,300 rent for her Biddeford apartment. She had hit the so-called benefits cliff, the abrupt drop in public assistance as incomes get just above limits.

Quality Housing Coalition's Basic Income Program Transforms Lives of Single Mothers in Maine

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 15:08:13 GMT

Year-Long Pilot Shows Significant Improvements in Financial Stability and Well-Being

PORTLAND, Maine, September 10, 2024 - The Quality Housing Coalition (QHC) today announced the success of its Project HOME Trust Basic Income Pilot Program, which has significantly improved the lives of 20 low-income single mothers and 33 children in Maine over the past year.

From June 2023 to May 2024, the program provided monthly direct cash payments of $1,000 to twenty single mothers who had previously experienced homelessness. The results demonstrate substantial positive outcomes in financial stability, mental health, and overall life satisfaction for both mothers and children.

Key findings from the pilot program include:

53% of participants reported being financially stable, up from just 5% at the start of the program
42% felt they could handle a $400 emergency expense, compared to only 5% initially
The average life satisfaction rating increased from 6.3 to 7.9 out of 10
95% of participants felt optimistic about their financial future
89% of children were reported as being "very happy," up from 47%
95% of mothers have maintained their housing throughout the program

One program participant said, "It helped to reduce my worry for meeting my daily bills and I started planning more for my family's future. I started putting some of my salary towards my kid's college fund after my basic bills were met."

"These results show how guaranteed monthly income and social support services improve the lives of low-income mothers and their children in deeply meaningful ways," said Victoria Morales, Executive Director of the Quality Housing Coalition. "When mothers have stable housing and financial security, their mental health improves, and that improvement transfers to their children."

The Project HOME Trust program focuses on helping participants overcome the "Benefits Cliff," the challenging period when a slight increase in earnings results in a greater loss of necessary social assistance benefits. By providing unconditional cash payments, the program offers crucial support to mothers facing challenges securing sufficient employment due to inadequate wages and high childcare expenses.

Peace Mutesi, the Project HOME Trust Manager and a former Project HOME mother who has experienced homelessness added, "As a single mother who has lived through the same stressors and barriers these mothers are facing, I'm so proud to see how these families are flourishing now."

On September 10, 2024, QHC is hosting the Project HOME Trust: Film Premiere and Panel Presentation to celebrate the successes of Maine’s first direct cash assistance program. At the event, QHC will share the pilot program results and showcase a film featuring participant stories. Sara Gideon, former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, will moderate a panel discussion.

The success of this pilot program demonstrates the potential for basic income initiatives to create lasting positive change in communities. The Quality Housing Coalition hopes these results will inspire similar programs nationwide, addressing poverty and homelessness through direct financial support and comprehensive social services.

About Quality Housing Coalition

The Quality Housing Coalition is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving housing stability and quality of life for low-income families in Maine. Through innovative programs like Project HOME Trust, QHC works to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness by providing direct support and advocating for systemic change. Learn more at qualityhousingcoalition.org.

Media Contact

Victoria Morales

Executive Director

victoria@qualityhousingcoalition.org

(207) 216-0643

This Maine program helps former youth-in-care get a place of their own

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 18:04:13 GMT

Published by NEWS CENTER Maine | by Vivien Leigh

According to official recent U.S. Census data, there are more than 2,000 kids in foster care in Maine.

About 100 kids age out of the system annually when they turn 18 and become a legal adult, but some can extend state care services until they are 21 years old.

A federally funded program is helping keep dozens of young adults from ending up on the streets as they transition into adulthood.

How 20 Maine mothers are using a $1,000 guaranteed monthly income

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 16:50:14 GMT

Published by Bangor Daily News | By Zara Norman

This time last year, Allison Edwards was living in fear and uncertainty, putting off necessary car repairs and skipping meals so her 3-year-old daughter could eat.

Only a few months later, Edwards is hopeful for the future. The 29-year-old is taking better care of herself, easily makes rent payments, fixes her car when necessary and will graduate this spring from Southern Maine Community College and enter the workforce. She can even send her daughter to gymnastics class, something she wanted to do for years.

“I didn’t think it would ever be possible for our family that my daughter would be enrolled in any extracurricular activities,” Edwards said. “It makes me feel good as a mom that I can provide for her. It makes me feel like I’m doing something right.”

100 laptops will get formerly unhoused online for job search

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 18:53:08 GMT

Published by Portland Press Herald | By Dennis Hoey

Computers and internet access will be loaned out in a collaborative project aimed at overcoming a key obstacle to employment.

Two Portland organizations are working to combat one of the challenges faced by formerly unhoused people who are looking for work – a lack of internet and computer access.

The Quality Housing Coalition and the Greater Portland Council of Governments plan to distribute 100 refurbished laptops to people who are enrolled in the coalition’s Project Home to Profession program, which secures permanent housing for homeless people and provides them with employment services.

“Almost all job applications and opportunities are online,” said Clara McCool, who manages GPCOG’s Regional Broadband Program, which is funding the laptop project through the Maine Connectivity Authority.

InterMed donates $30,000 to help solve Greater Portland homelessness crisis

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 18:50:21 GMT

Published by Portland Press Herald | Written by Dennis Hoey

InterMed announced Monday that it has donated $30,000 to Quality Housing Coalition to help in the agency’s efforts to address the homelessness crisis in Greater Portland.

The Quality Housing Coalition is working to secure permanent homes and financial security for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

“We believe that stable housing is the foundation of health and are so excited to partner with InterMed to address the community conditions Maine people need to thrive,” said Victoria Morales, executive director of the Quality Housing Coalition.

ProjectHOME - Maine’s leading housing navigation program

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 19:31:53 GMT

Published by Bangor Daily News | By Zara Norman

Maine housing agencies are incentivizing landlords to provide homes to vulnerable tenants, a strategy that is working but remains difficult to scale up due to a shortage of overall units.

Groups from Caribou to South Portland are offering local landlords financial guarantees and logistical support if they offer units to Maine families experiencing housing instability and homelessness. Two groups using this strategy, Portland’s Quality Housing Coalition and the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter of Waterville, have found permanent homes for just under 200 families – many of whom have experienced chronic homelessness – this year alone.

Project Home, the Portland group’s flagship program, has an applicant pool of over 2,000 families waiting to be matched with a unit right now. That underscores the short supply of housing statewide that is driving up costs and limiting how far they can reach, although policymakers largely see them as successes to date.

“Given that we’re in the middle of a shortage, and we will be for a while, probably, I think this is probably one of the best tools we have,” Erik Jorgensen, director of government relations at MaineHousing, the state’s housing authority, said.

Five Ways to Stop Evictions Before They Happen

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 17:22:13 GMT

Published by United Way of Southern Maine

Even before the outbreak of Covid-19, some 1.5 million U.S. households received an eviction judgment each year, impacting nearly 3.8 million individuals.

Additionally, there is evidence that the number of informal displacements could be twice as high, leaving over 11 million people at risk of displacement each year when considering both formal and informal evictions. That scale equates to potentially displacing, on an annual basis, more than every single resident of New York City and Chicago – the nation’s first and third most populous cities – combined.

Now, with inflation on the rise and millions of Americans still saying they’re unsure if they’ll be able to afford rent next month, preventing eviction and supporting long-term housing stability are urgent national imperatives.

Women United Invests $299K in Innovative Programs Advancing Single Mothers

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 16:30:45 GMT

Published by United Way of Southern Maine

Women United announced investments totaling $299,500 in programs that advance the health and financial stability of single mothers and their children. The investments include the Giving Circle’s first investments in programs serving York County and renewed support for two programs in Portland’s Bayside neighborhood.

Women United will invest in three York County programs that help single mothers meet basic needs and provide pathways to employment.

$40,000 to Project HOME (Trust) through Quality Housing Coalition, which offers direct cash assistance, individualized skill-building, and a peer-to-peer support network to single mother households who are housed through Project HOME.

Victoria Morales honored as 2023 Mainebiz Women to Watch

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 17:18:49 GMT

Victoria Morales, the Executive Director of Quality Housing Coalition, has been chosen as one of the 2023 Mainebiz Women to Watch for her leadership in the field of affordable housing. Her tireless commitment to improving the lives of individuals and families by ensuring access to safe and quality housing options has made a profound impact in Maine. Victoria's innovative strategies and unwavering dedication to addressing housing challenges have transformed QHC. Her selection as a 2023 Mainebiz Women to Watch is a testament to her exceptional leadership and the positive change she continues to bring to the world of housing advocacy.

View photos from the event below.

Mainebiz celebrates 5 women in business at 15th anniversary Women to Watch reception

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 17:26:35 GMT

Published by Portland Press Herald

Mainebiz will be celebrating five inspirational women leaders in person at the 15th Anniversary Mainebiz Women to Watch reception from 5-7 p.m. on Sept. 13. The reception will be held at Halo At The Point (Thompson’s Point), 20 Van Aken Way, Portland. To register for the event and read more about this year’s honorees, visit mainebiz.biz/WTW23.

Mainebiz launched its Women to Watch award recognition program as a way to bring attention to top-notch women executives, women whose daily work strengthens their organizations and, by extension, Maine’s economy. The 2023 honorees are: Agnieszka Carpenter, executive director of The Bioscience Association of Maine; Jessie Davis, executive director of the Friends of the Strand Theatre; Victoria Morales, executive director of the Quality Housing Coalition; Susan Ruhlin, managing director of the Dirigo Labs; and Alissa Wetherbee, founder of Axe Women Loggers of Maine.

Quality Housing Coalition Launches Maine’s First Direct Cash Assistance Program Targeting Formerly Homeless Mothers

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 17:37:40 GMT

Published by National Low Income Housing Coalition

Last month, the Maine-based Quality Housing Coalition (QHC) launched Project HOME Trust, the first direct cash assistance program of its kind in the state of Maine. Project HOME Trust was developed in partnership with people with lived experience of housing insecurity and seeks to support the long-term housing stability of participants, all of whom are single mothers who have experienced homelessness. Participants receive an unrestricted $1,000 monthly cash assistance payment for one year along with an array of supportive housing services. Community connection and resilience are further strengthened through the use of a cohort model. QFC is working with partners to evaluate the pilot program this year and hopes to use the lessons learned to influence policy change at the state level.

Women to Watch: Victoria Morales matching quality housing with those in need

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 14:04:59 GMT

Published by Mainebiz | By Alexis Wells

In recent years, Maine’s shortage of affordable and workforce housing has gotten even more challenging as real estate values have soared. Victoria Morales created partnerships between landlords and nonprofit agencies to help house individuals that have experienced homelessness and or housing insecurity. Morales started the Quality Housing Coalition in 2018. She also served as a state representative from 2018 to 2022, representing South Portland. In her time in the Legislature she helped write and pass 16 state laws focused on housing and family safety.

A new program gives low-income Maine mothers monthly cash. Will it help lift them out of poverty?

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 14:32:04 GMT

Published by Portland Press Herald | By Rachel Ohm

As a single mother working late nights at a food distribution warehouse, Kimanga Yanga has struggled to pay her bills.

So she was excited when she was chosen for a new program providing 20 single mothers like her with $1,000 cash payments each month for a year to boost their financial security.

“God is good,” Yanga remembers thinking when staff from the Quality Housing Coalition’s Project HOME Trust called.

Portland launches home share program to house asylum seekers as shelter deadline looms

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 15:02:25 GMT

Published by Maine Public | By Ari Snider

The city of Portland is encouraging area residents with spare rooms or guest apartments to consider renting to asylum seekers, as an Aug. 16 deadline to close a temporary shelter at the Expo looms.

The city is currently housing 77 asylum seeker families at the Expo — a total of about 250 people.

Most are from Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries in West and Central Africa.

Portland hopes expanded home-share program could be part of solution to housing asylum-seekers

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 14:45:49 GMT

Published by WGME | By Dan Lampariello

In less than a month, hundreds of asylum-seekers staying at the Portland Expo will have to find a new place to live.

City leaders hope a newly expanded "home-share" program could be part of the solution.

The emergency shelter at the Expo is expected to close on August 16. It originally opened in April after an influx of more than 1,500 asylum-seekers arrived in the city.

Group of Maine single mothers receive $1,000 per month through first direct cash assistance program in state

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 14:28:08 GMT

Published by WGME | By Alison Murtagh

Twenty single mothers in Maine who have formerly experienced homelessness are getting an extra boost to help make ends meet.

The "Quality Housing Coalition" says each month for a year, these mothers will receive $1,000 through the "Project Home Trust."

The coalition says it's the first direct cash assistance program in the state and the moms will get 12 direct payments with no strings attached.

A pilot program will give cash to 20 Maine single moms to help with expenses — no questions asked

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 11:38:31 GMT

Published by Maine Public | By Nicole Ogrysko

A new program will help 20 single mothers in Maine maintain financial and housing stability by offering direct payments of $1,000 for expenses.

About 70 mothers who have received housing through the Quality Housing Coalition, a Portland-based non-profit, applied to participate, and 20 were chosen through a lottery system.

Lewiston director receives Quality Housing Coalition recognition

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 15:48:20 GMT

Published by Sun Journal

Elaine Brackett, Lewiston’s Social Services director since November 2019, was recently named Quality Housing Coalition Housing Champion of 2022, and touted as a “tireless advocate” by Victoria Morales, executive director and founder of the coalition.

“We hope that (this recognition) provides you with meaningful acknowledgement of our appreciation for the hard work you are doing in the area of housing for the Lewiston community,” Morales said.