What is Diversion?
Diversion is a strategy that prevents homelessness for people seeking shelter by helping them identify immediate alternate housing arrangements and, if necessary, connecting them with services and financial assistance to help them retain/return to permanent housing. Diversion utilizes a number of familiar homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing
approaches.
If your family is currently housed but in danger of experiencing homelessness within 14 days, please call our Diversion Specialist at 207-469-7961 extension 113 during business hours. Our Diversion Specialist will speak to you about what issues you are facing and determine whether or not your issue can be resolved with diversion intervention. Please note that Diversion is used for emergency issues and not for long-term problems.
What is the Family Homeless Outreach Program?
The Homeless Family Support Worker is a central contact within our organization to map and locate families who are experiencing homelessness, i.e. staying in cars or tents.
Mapping includes a coordinated effort with providers, RSU’s and municipalities to locate families who are unsheltered. The program develops relationships linking people to resources and services to transition them from literal homelessness into housing compatible with their needs. It links directly with Diversion and at the same time provides for people’s most basic needs to ensure health and survival while they are experiencing homelessness.”
If you are a provider, neighbor or community member and know of a family experiencing homelessness, please have them contact the Homeless Family Support Worker at 207-469-7961 extension 113. They will immediately begin outreach to the family enabling them to bypass shelters and go directly into housing.
Different ways Diversion may help
One-time payment
Many people in Maine are only one paycheck away from homelessness. Diversion can prevent an individual or family from entering shelter by assisting with a one-time rent or utility payment that will prevent them from losing their housing.
Short-term support/support coordination
The Diversion Specialist is trained to help people avoid entering shelter if possible. Support can include recommendations for housing opportunities or connecting people with short-term housing opportunities while waiting for permanent housing.
Conflict mediation
Mediation for disagreements with neighbors and/or landlords can help divert people from entering shelter. The Diversion Specialist can assist with mediation to help create a solution to possible conflicts.
Connection to service and/or benefits
The Diversion Specialist can recognize if a solution to avoid entering shelter may need to be more long-term. The Diversion Specialist can recommend programs and opportunities in your area to assist you with obtaining and maintaining stable, permanent housing.