Neighbors Need ME:
A faith-based movement for hope, housing equity, and home
The nights are growing longer and colder, and the prospect of a large-scale humanitarian crisis is looming across our state! Our neighbors, wherever they live in Maine, are facing unthinkable challenges. Some families staying in motels due to homelessness are receiving eviction notices because Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) is ending. On top of this, there are no shelters available for many homeless families in western and northern Maine. And recently fourteen families with children (52 people who are seeking safety and asylum in Maine) were on the street because the overflow Warming Center in Portland was full. In over 100 cities and towns across Maine, the end of the federal ERA program, which supports more than 8,500 households, is already having an impact. People across the state are receiving eviction notices when it is bitter cold. These are asylum seekers and others experiencing homelessness with no workable solutions or alternatives on the table. These are our neighbors and they need us and our State!
We need our Governor, Legislature, and leaders to act immediately to provide systemic coordinated help as we as individuals, communities, organizations, and faith communities all help our neighbors wherever they are and however long they have been in Maine.
We invite you to sign-on to this letter here.
AND save the date of Wed. Dec. 7th for the Prayer Vigil in Augusta.
