Emergency Housing Supports

Homelessness Is a Health Problem

Every night, many people in Maine—and many more across the country—do not have a safe place to sleep. Some are without homes for a short time, while others live without stable housing for a long time. Homelessness is a serious problem that affects people’s health and safety. It needs to be solved in every community—locally, across the region, and nationwide.

People without housing often get sick more often and may not get the care they need. Living without shelter can lead to more health problems and make it harder to get better.

There are many reasons why it’s hard for people without housing to stay healthy. They may not have access to:

  • Healthy food

  • Safe, warm shelter

  • Regular doctor visits or emergency care

  • Mental health or substance use treatment

  • Help from social workers or community programs

  • And other important services

To improve health and well-being for all, we must make sure everyone has access to safe housing and the care they need to live a healthier life.

How We’re Responding

Healthy Acadia’s Housing Support Program supports community members in Hancock and Washington counties, Maine, that are unhoused or at risk of homelessness.

Seasonal Overnight Warming Center

On December 23, 2022, with guidance and support from many local and state partners, Healthy Acadia offered a temporary, seasonal, overnight warming center in downtown Ellsworth.

The Emergency Overnight Warming Center, located at Healthy Acadia’s Inspire Community Recovery Center, 24 Church Street, Ellsworth, open seasonally from 4 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. every evening from December 1 - April 30, is a safe, warm space for people who are unhoused or unsafely housed in Hancock and Washington counties, on a first-come, first-served basis, as space allows. Thanks to the incredible support and generosity of local businesses and community members, a homemade meal, snacks, and beverages are available to guests.

For more information call 207-412-2288 or email tracy.crossman@healthyacadia.org. 

Be a Part!

Housing Support Navigation Assistance Program

Housing navigation supports individual and families who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness to seek, apply, enter, and maintain permanent housing. Our housing navigators work with community members to identify and meet housing goals, and overcome barriers to successful housing.

To request housing navigation support, please complete and submit our Housing Navigation Assistance Intake Form (click here for form).

How We’re Responding: Safety and Shelter Fund

Downeast Maine has a significant and increasing number of individuals experiencing homelessness. Multiple organizations are attempting to address this social crisis. There is urgency due to the hostile weather conditions we experience in Maine. Healthy Acadia is raising Safety and Shelter Funds in order to support individuals and provide essential resources to keep as many community members as safe as possible. Some of the ways in which the funds will be utilized include purchases of sleeping bags, tents, and other life saving necessities; emergency shelter, placement in local vacant rentals, transportation to safe spaces, and much needed access to communication devices. Please consider making a donation to keep our neighbors alive and safe during these frigid winter months.

Be a Part!

Additional Resources (external)

These resources provide background information about homelessness as a public health issue.

  • Homelessness Is a Public Health Issue
    American Journal of Public Health (2013).
    Article from the US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the US Secretary of Veterans Affairs discussing homelessness as a public health crisis.

  • Homelessness and Health: What’s the Connection
    National Health Care for the Homeless Council (2019).
    Fact sheet describing how poor health can lead to homelessness and how homelessness can cause health problems, and recommending the solution of permanent supportive housing.

  • Health and Homelessness
    American Psychological Association.
    Overview of the connection between physical and mental health and homelessness, with a focus on mental illness and homelessness.