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.
Our Mission
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 108 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.
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.