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Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition

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Welcome to Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition, formerly an affiliate of the national Family Promise organization. After two years of working with Family Promise, we have developed great relations with many congregations, and have learned a great deal. After discussions with Family Promise, we are now aware that their rotational model is more conducive to urban areas or suburbs rather than small, rural areas like Waldo County. Thus, we have separated from the national Family Promise organization and are working to create Transitional Housing in Waldo County, loosely modeled after Family Promise’s static model.

Updates: The MMHC board of directors is currently in a series of discussions with the Belfast City Council and the Belfast Planning Board Committee with the goal of creating an ordinance in the city that allows transitional housing. This new ordinance will allow MMHC to create such a facility at Belfast United Methodist Church at 23 Mill Lane to provide traditional housing for Belfast families. See the details of this ongoing process.

 Transitional Housing for Families – Explained
At the City Council meeting on March 18, City Councilor Mary Mortier explained the concepts of this transitional housing proposal to explain its importance and to dispel misinformation she has heard around town:
Next Scheduled Local Event
Belfast Planning Board Committee Meeting
Wednesday, April 30, 6pm
Location: City Hall Meeting Room, 1st Floor
     The City Council has approved the ordinance to allow transitional housing at 23 Mill Lane. The MMHC is now able to return to the Planning Board to apply for a license to run a transitional housing program at Belfast United Methodist Church. The MMHC will have to show how it will meet all of the standards and requirements and that the lower level of Belfast United Methodist Church will be prepared for the purpose.

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We continue to have our non-profit 501(C)3 status. We have funds to start some transitional housing for 3-4 families, a site in Belfast, and we are working with Belfast City officials to address issues regarding zoning.

We will provide housing, nutrition, and support for 3 or 4 families at a time, using a mix of hired staff and community partners. With the support of local volunteers at the site, there will be support for the families at night. We will coordinate with many local organizations to provide case management and other services.

In addition, we will continue to provide funds to prevent homelessness – i.e. assisting families who are in danger of losing their housing due to lack of resources, and briefly assisting with some utility payments or rent.

We will share future updates as we move forward. Please check back to this site to keep informed of our progress. Soon, there will be a new email for us. At that time, we will be able to add you to our mailing list.

Thank you.
The Board of Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition