Housing Resources

SPC - Basic Eligibility and Program Information

Program Summary

Shelter+Care is a federal program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) designed to provide rental subsidies and supportive services to homeless individuals with disabilities, primarily those with chronic mental illness, substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS. Shelter + Care is primarily administered by the State of Maine, Department of Health & Human Services-Adult Mental Health (DHHS). The Maine State Housing Authority and the City of Bangor and Portland also administer several Shelter + Care grants in partnership with DHHS. DHHS and it’s network of Local Administrative Agencies throughout the state have committed to providing the direct support services and rental assistance components of the program.

The collaboration of local providers, municipalities, state agencies, and the federal government is the backbone of existing Shelter+Care programs. In keeping with Shelter+Care’s intent to reduce homelessness, program participants are encouraged to work towards greater stability and self sufficiency by developing short and long term goals with their service provider. Service providers assist individuals with various housing related needs including communication with their landlord. Participants are supported in pursuing treatment, case management, educational and job training opportunities, if they choose. The ‘care’ component must be equivalent to the rent portion of the subsidy on a grant by grant basis. A typical example: if the subsidized rent is $310/month, there needs to be a matching value of services.

For eligibility, individuals must meet the homelessness and disability criteria as defined by HUD. Program participants pay 30% of their income towards rent and Shelter+Care subsidizes the remaining portion of the rent. Participants are able to choose their own living units, provided the units meet Housing Quality Standards and fall within the Fair Market Rent established for the area by HUD.

For further information regarding the Shelter+Care program, please contact the Local Administrative Agency or Housing Coordinator nearest you. A list of these contacts can be found on the back of this informational sheet.

Shelter Plus Care - Local Administrative Agents

Aroostook County	James McClay AMHC SkyHaven 2 Airport Drive Presque Isle,Maine 04769 207-764-0759
Androscoggin County	Karen Bate-Pelletier Common Ties 140 Canal Street Lewiston, ME 04240 207-795-6051
Cumberland County	Kyra Walker Shalom House, Inc. 400 Congress St., PO Box 560 Portland, Maine 04112 207-874-1080
Franklin, Oxford, Northern Cumberland Counties	Joan Detel Tri-County MH 1155 Lisbon St. PO Box 2008 Lewiston, Maine 04142 207-353-4100
Lincoln, Sagadhoc Counties & Brunswick, Harpswell, Freeport	Rita Defio Sweetser MH 18 Pleasant Street Brunswick, Maine 04011 207-373-3049
Penobscot, Washington, Hancock, Piscataquis Counties	Sandra Kimball Community Health and Counseling 42 Cedar St., PO Box 425 Bangor, ME 04402 207-947-0366
Somerset, Northern Kennebec Counties	Barbara Worthley Kennebec Valley Mental Health 67 Eustis Parkway Waterville, Maine 04901 207-873-2136
Southern Kennebec County	Susanne Thomas Motivational Services PO Box 229 Augusta, Maine 04332 207-626-3465
Waldo, Knox, Lincoln Counties	Bonnie VersbonCoeur Mid-Coast Mental Health 12 Union St. PO Box 526 Rockland, Maine 04841 207-594-2541
York County	Ginny Dill Counseling Services, Inc. PO Box 1010 Saco, ME 04072 207-282-6126
*Bangor	Awa Conteh City of Bangor Dept. of Health & Welfare 103 Texas Ave. Bangor, Maine 04401 207-941-0257

Housing Coordinator:
Lori Nicholas Kristen Fortier 175 Lancaster Street Portland, Maine 04101 207-822-0150	Jim Jaroz Greenlaw Bldg. AMHI Campus Augusta, Maine 04333 207-287-9151
Pam Godin 176 Hogan Road Bangor, Maine 04401 207-941-4311

* Not a DHHS Local Administrative Agent

* For a free viewer or to request a hard copy

Adult Mental Health

Information for

Housing Resources

SPC - Basic Eligibility and Program Information

Program Summary

Shelter Plus Care - Local Administrative Agents

Housing Coordinator:

External Links