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

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.