Portland launches home share program to house asylum seekers as shelter deadline looms
July 18, 2023
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.
Published by Maine Public | by Nicole Ogrysko
Published by Portland Press Herald by Hannah LaClaire
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.
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.
