Project HOPE Housing Funding

At a glance

What: order 26-253, which would use MaineHousing funds of up to $300,000 with a $126,000 opioid-settlement match for Project HOPE, a homelessness response.
Where it stands: postponed from 2026-09-14 to 2026-09-28 (8-1). On 2026-09-28 the minutes show a postponement motion failing 3-5, and the record of the motion for passage is internally inconsistent, so the outcome is not stated here.
Next: check the 2026-09-28 video and later minutes to confirm the outcome.

Public comment on homelessness and Project HOPE was substantial on 2026-09-14.
The Advisory Committee on Homelessness meets regularly (see 2026-10-13 - Advisory Committee on Homelessness and 2026-10-27 - Advisory Committee on Homelessness); see also Winter Warming Shelter and Homelessness Strategic Plan.

Listed as a workshop item ahead of the Council meeting the same evening; the packet read for this page does not include detail.

Members were told the Council delayed, then declined, the proposal the committee had recommended with a 50/50 CDBG and opioid-settlement match. Partner agencies were meeting to explore alternatives; Maine Housing has set no deadline.

Postponement motion failed 3-5; the record of the passage motion is internally inconsistent.

Agenda item 4 with a Public Health memo offering two ways to fund the $126,000 local match: all from CDBG for one year, or $63,000 of CDBG a year for two years with $63,000 from opioid settlement or other city funds. CDBG public services are generally capped at 15 percent of the grant. Discussion not read.