BANGOR, Maine — Portland-based nonprofit Preble Street is stepping up to prevent the closure of the Hope House, the only low-barrier shelter in Bangor.
Preble Street will officially take over operations from Penobscot Community Health Care (PCHC) in February, maintaining this important resource for people experiencing homelessness in the region.
Preble Street's Executive Director Mark Swann said the organization can keep the shelter running with the help of funding from Gov. Janet Mills and the Maine Legislature.
The financial support will sustain operations at the 56-bed emergency shelter for the next three years.
"It's a big day," Swann said.
PCHC was planning to close the shelter because of financial troubles if a new owner couldn't be found.
Swann said there already aren't enough homeless shelters in Maine, so they couldn't let the Hope House close.
"To lose the second largest shelter in the state... it would have been devastating. It would have caused great harm, clearly, to the people who need those beds," Swann said.
Lori Dwyer, president and CEO of PCHC, said she's grateful for Preble Street stepping up to keep the shelter running, for the more than 300 people a year it serves.
"It is a critical, lifesaving resource for people who are experiencing homelessness," she said.
Dwyer said that transferring shelter operations will allow PCHC to prioritize its healthcare goals.
"Our core mission really has us focusing on integrated primary care services and clinical care," Dwyer said.
PCHC will continue to run the Hope House health clinic and transitional housing unit on-site.
The Hope House is the only shelter in the area that does not require sobriety or background checks, making it a low barrier shelter.
"Low barrier shelters are critically important because a good number of people who need these beds are suffering from substance use disorder. In a low barrier shelter, they'll meet you where you are, they'll understand, they'll help," Doug Dunbar of Penobscot County Cares, a nonprofit that connects people experiencing homelessness with resources, said.
Now Preble Street will have to continue to get more funding to keep the Hope House open long term. Swann said they’re working to find solutions.
"We're optimistic and really looking forward to making an impact in that community," he said.
Swann said that Preble Street intends to make the transition "seamless," with no job losses expected.