Maine has approximately 4,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night — a significant number for a state its size, driven by some of the highest housing cost burdens in New England and a severe shortage of affordable housing. Portland is Maine’s largest city and has one of the most concentrated homeless populations in New England relative to its size, with visible encampments that have become a significant local issue. Bangor, Lewiston-Auburn, and Augusta have smaller but active homeless service systems. Rural Maine — particularly the northern counties — has very limited formal resources despite harsh winters that make outdoor homelessness life-threatening.
This guide from House for Homeless covers how to find emergency hotel or motel assistance anywhere in Maine tonight.
Need a hotel voucher in Maine tonight? Call 211 immediately — Maine 211 is available 24 hours across all 16 counties. Tell the operator your city or county and that you need emergency hotel or motel assistance. Veterans call 877-424-3838.
How Emergency Hotel Vouchers Work in Maine
Maine does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel and motel assistance is funded and administered locally through:
- Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) — state-level social services through district offices
- Maine DHHS district offices — Maine’s regional welfare access points
- Community Action Agencies — Maine has a strong CAA network covering all 16 counties
- Continuums of Care — Maine has multiple CoC regions; Maine Balance of State CoC covers most of the state outside Portland
- Nonprofits and faith-based organizations
Maine DHHS administers TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and the Emergency Assistance Program, which can sometimes authorize hotel placements for families in acute crisis. Maine also has a unique General Assistance (GA) program administered by municipalities — every city and town in Maine is required by state law to provide GA to eligible residents, and GA can cover emergency hotel stays.
Always call 211 first.
Maine State Programs Supporting Hotel Assistance
Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
DHHS administers emergency assistance programs through district offices statewide. The TANF Emergency Assistance and General Assistance programs can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements.
DHHS contact: 1-800-442-6003 Website: maine.gov/dhhs
Maine Municipal General Assistance (GA)
Maine’s General Assistance program is unique — it is administered at the municipal level, meaning every city and town in Maine must provide emergency assistance to eligible residents. GA can cover:
- Emergency hotel or motel stays
- Food
- Utilities
- Other basic necessities
To apply for GA: Go to your city or town hall and ask for the General Assistance administrator. This is often the fastest route to an emergency hotel voucher in Maine for both individuals and families.
Maine State Housing Authority (MaineHousing)
MaineHousing distributes federal ESG funds and state housing resources to local organizations providing emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and hotel assistance statewide.
MaineHousing contact: 207-626-4600 Website: mainehousing.org
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in Maine by Region
Portland and Cumberland County
Portland has Maine’s largest homeless population and has experienced a significant influx of asylum seekers in recent years, straining its shelter system and driving increased reliance on hotel placements.
Portland CoC / Preble Street Lead CoC partner and one of Maine’s most recognized homeless service organizations.
- Phone: 207-775-0026
- Website: preblestreet.org
- Services: Day services, emergency housing referrals, rapid rehousing, and advocacy
Salvation Army of Portland Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 207-774-6304
- Address: 297 Cumberland Ave, Portland, ME 04101
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Catholic Charities Maine (Portland) Emergency assistance including housing help for anyone in need.
- Phone: 207-523-1900
- Website: ccmaine.org
Milestone Foundation (men) Emergency shelter and housing for men in Portland.
- Phone: 207-774-5503
- Website: milestonefoundation.org
- Intake: 24 hours
Amistad (mental health and housing) Emergency housing and mental health services in Portland.
- Phone: 207-874-7445
- Website: amistadmaine.org
Portland City Hall — General Assistance Portland’s municipal GA program — often the fastest route to an emergency hotel voucher.
- Phone: 207-874-8711
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Bangor and Penobscot County
Bangor CoC / Penquis Community Action Program Lead CoC partner and Community Action Agency for Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.
- Phone: 207-973-3500
- Website: penquis.org
Salvation Army of Bangor Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 207-942-3681
- Address: 24 Pre St, Bangor, ME 04401
Bangor Area Homeless Shelter Emergency shelter and housing services in Bangor.
- Phone: 207-947-0092
- Website: bahs.org
- Intake: 24 hours
Bangor City Hall — General Assistance Municipal GA program for Bangor residents.
- Phone: 207-992-4200
Lewiston-Auburn and Androscoggin County
Lewiston-Auburn CoC / Androscoggin Community Action Lead CoC partner and Community Action Agency for Androscoggin County.
- Phone: 207-795-4065
- Website: androscoggincap.org
Salvation Army Lewiston Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 207-782-2000
- Address: 150 Wood St, Lewiston, ME 04240
The Root Cellar (Lewiston) Day services and emergency assistance for people experiencing homelessness in Lewiston.
- Phone: 207-782-3353
Lewiston City Hall — General Assistance Municipal GA program for Lewiston residents.
- Phone: 207-513-3122
Augusta and Kennebec County
Kennebec Valley CoC / Kennebec Valley Community Action Program (KVCAP) Lead CoC partner and Community Action Agency for Kennebec and Somerset counties.
- Phone: 207-859-1500
- Website: kvcap.org
Salvation Army Augusta Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 207-622-2034
Augusta City Hall — General Assistance Municipal GA program for Augusta residents.
- Phone: 207-626-2350
Rockland and Midcoast Maine (Knox, Waldo, Lincoln counties)
Midcoast Maine CoC / Mobius Inc. Lead CoC partner for Midcoast Maine.
- Phone: 207-594-2282
- Website: mobiusinc.org
Rockland City Hall — General Assistance Municipal GA for Rockland residents.
- Phone: 207-594-0302
Rural Northern Maine (Aroostook, Somerset, Piscataquis counties)
Maine’s northern counties — particularly Aroostook County (known as “The County”) — are among the most rural and isolated in the eastern United States. Harsh winters make homelessness acutely dangerous.
- Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP): 207-764-3721 — primary CAA for Aroostook County
- Your town or city hall — every Maine municipality must provide General Assistance; this is critical in rural areas with no shelter
- Local churches — particularly important in rural northern Maine
- 211 — always call first, even in The County
Maine’s Municipal General Assistance — The Critical Program
Maine’s General Assistance program is the most important emergency resource to understand. Unlike most states where emergency assistance comes from a county or state agency, Maine requires every municipality to provide GA. This means:
- Even in rural towns with no shelter, your town hall can authorize an emergency hotel voucher
- GA is available to individuals and families, not just families with children
- Applications are processed at the town or city hall — often same-day in emergencies
- GA rules and benefit amounts vary by municipality, but emergency hotel stays are an eligible expense statewide
What to say: “I need to apply for General Assistance — I have no housing tonight and need an emergency hotel or motel placement.”
Who Qualifies for Hotel Vouchers in Maine
| Priority Group | Maine-Specific Notes |
|---|---|
| People sleeping outside or in bitter cold | Medical emergency — GA and shelters prioritize immediately |
| Families with children | Top priority; TANF and GA both available |
| Domestic violence survivors | Maine DV Hotline: 1-800-559-2927 |
| Veterans | VA resources in Togus (Augusta area) |
| Asylum seekers | Portland has specific programs — call Preble Street |
| Seniors (60+) | Priority in most programs |
| People with mental illness | Amistad in Portland serves this population |
| Couples | Hotel placements address gender-separated shelter barriers |
| Rural northern Maine residents | Municipal GA is key — go to your town hall |
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Maine — Step by Step
Step 1: Call 211 — available 24 hours across all 16 Maine counties.
Step 2: Go to your city or town hall and apply for General Assistance — this is Maine’s fastest and most universal route to an emergency hotel voucher, available anywhere in the state.
Step 3: If you are in Portland, call Preble Street at 207-775-0026 or Portland City Hall GA at 207-874-8711.
Step 4: If you are in Bangor, call Bangor Area Homeless Shelter at 207-947-0092 (24 hours) or Penquis CAP at 207-973-3500.
Step 5: If you are in Lewiston, call the Salvation Army at 207-782-2000 or Androscoggin CAP at 207-795-4065.
Step 6: If you are in Augusta, call KVCAP at 207-859-1500.
Step 7: If you are a veteran, call 877-424-3838 immediately.
What to Do During Your Maine Hotel Placement
Apply for food assistance immediately: Apply for Maine SNAP at maine.gov/dhhs or call 1-800-442-6003. With zero income you qualify for the maximum food assistance benefit and expedited 7-day processing.
Apply for MaineCare (Medicaid): Apply at maine.gov/dhhs for MaineCare — covering healthcare, mental health, and substance use treatment. Maine expanded Medicaid in 2019 under the Affordable Care Act.
Enter coordinated entry: In Portland, contact Preble Street or call 211. In Bangor, contact Penquis. In Lewiston, contact Androscoggin CAP. Coordinated entry connects you to rapid rehousing and permanent housing options statewide. Understanding what types of housing assistance programs are available helps you walk into that first meeting prepared.
Pursue rental assistance: Ask 211 about emergency rental assistance in your county. Portland, Bangor, and Lewiston have more active programs than rural counties — ask early in your placement rather than at the last minute.
Apply for Section 8: Contact your local Maine PHA. Portland Housing Authority: 207-874-6500. Maine PHAs have long waitlists — apply now and also explore other housing voucher options. Knowing how Section 8 priority and placement works will help you understand where you stand on the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a free hotel voucher for homeless in Maine?
Call 211 from anywhere in Maine — available 24 hours. Then go to your city or town hall and apply for General Assistance — Maine law requires every municipality to provide emergency assistance including hotel stays. In Portland, call Preble Street at 207-775-0026 or Portland City Hall GA at 207-874-8711. In Bangor, call Bangor Area Homeless Shelter at 207-947-0092.
What is Maine’s General Assistance (GA) program?
Maine’s General Assistance is a municipal program — every city and town in Maine is legally required to provide it. GA can cover emergency hotel or motel stays, food, utilities, and other basic necessities. Apply at your city or town hall and ask for the General Assistance administrator. This is often the fastest route to an emergency hotel voucher in Maine, including in rural areas with no shelter. Benefit levels and rules vary by municipality.
Does Maine have a statewide hotel voucher program?
No. Maine does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. However, Maine’s unique municipal General Assistance requirement means emergency hotel placements are theoretically available in every city and town in the state — not just cities with formal shelters. Call 211 and also contact your municipal GA office for the fastest response.
Are there hotel vouchers for asylum seekers in Maine?
Yes. Portland has specific programs for recently arrived asylum seekers who are experiencing homelessness. Preble Street at 207-775-0026 is the primary contact. Portland has been a destination for asylum seekers in recent years, and the city has developed programs to address their specific needs. Call 211 in Portland and ask specifically about asylum seeker emergency housing resources.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in Maine?
Yes. Families with children are the top priority. Both TANF and municipal General Assistance can cover emergency hotel placements for families. Call 211 and specify that you have children. Families may also qualify for rental assistance programs to move toward stable housing once they are placed.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Maine?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. Maine’s primary VA facility is the Togus VA Medical Center near Augusta (officially the VA Maine Healthcare System), with community-based outpatient clinics in Portland, Bangor, and other cities. Togus has dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH and SSVF rapid rehousing.
What is MaineCare?
MaineCare is Maine’s name for Medicaid — free healthcare for low-income residents. Maine expanded MaineCare in 2019, significantly broadening eligibility. Apply at maine.gov/dhhs or call 1-800-442-6003. MaineCare covers medical, dental, mental health, and substance use treatment — all critical for housing stability.
How long do hotel vouchers last in Maine?
Most Maine emergency placements last 1–7 nights, with possible extensions. Municipal GA can sometimes authorize week-long or longer stays depending on local rules and availability of alternatives. Connect with a case manager on Day 1, enter coordinated entry through 211, and simultaneously apply for GA at your town hall to maximize your options.