Skip Maine state header navigation

Agencies | Online Services | Help

Skip First Level Navigation | Skip All Navigation

MH Home > Housing Resources Home > SPC > Program Summary

Housing Resources

Shelter Plus Care - Permanent Supportive Housing

Program Summary

(Microsoft Word*)  (Adobe PDF*)(*free viewer)

Shelter Plus Care (SPC) is a federal program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) designed to provide permanent rental subsidies and supportive services to homeless individuals with disabilities, primarily those with chronic mental illness, substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS. SPC is primarily administered by the State of Maine, Department of Health & Human Services-Office of Adult Mental Health (DHHS). The City of Bangor also administers several SPC 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. Following a Housing First model, initial SPC recipients are encouraged, but not required to accept the provision of services to go hand in hand with the voucher.

The collaboration of local providers, municipalities, state agencies, and the federal government is the backbone of existing SPC programs. 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 $450/month, there needs to be a matching value of services.

Eligibility: all individuals participating in SPC must meet the homelessness and disability criteria as defined by HUD. Program participants pay 30% of their income towards rent and Shelter Plus 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.

The vast majority of SPC vouchers are ‘Tenant-Based’. These vouchers may be utilized within a specific geographic area, typically along municipal or county lines. There are also a few ‘Sponsor-Based’ vouchers may be utilized within a particular set of units or buildings that are owned or managed by the ‘Sponsor’, typically a housing and service agency.

For further information regarding the Shelter Plus 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 Facilities, Inc.
One Vaughn Place
Caribou, Maine 04736
207-498-6431

Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford Karen Bate-Pelletier
Common Ties
140 Canal Street
Lewiston, ME 04240
207-795-6051
Cumberland and York Counties Ginny Dill
Shalom House, Inc.

106 Gilman Street
PO Box 560
Portland, Maine 04112
207-874-1080

Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadhoc Counties & Brunswick, Harpswell, Freeport Rita Defio
Sweetser MH
329 Bath Road
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 Behavioral 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
Bangor (Not a DHHS Local Administrative Agent) Awa Conteh
City of Bangor
Dept. of Health & Welfare
103 Texas Ave.
Bangor, Maine 04401
207-941-0257