Shelter, Housing, and Services for the Homeless

What is homelessness?guest at adult shelter
Someone who is homeless lacks a regular, adequate nighttime residence or stays in a place that is not meant for human habitation.  This means that people living in cars, sleeping in the park, or doubled up with family or friends after losing their housing are all considered homeless.

Did You Know?

  • Every night, 750,000 people are homeless in the United States.
  • Families with children make up about half the homeless population.
  • 5.4 million families in the United States pay more than half of their income for rent.
  • Maine has 42 shelters statewide, offering 840 beds each night.
  • An estimated 1,100 people in Maine are homeless on any given night, but only about 500 stay in shelters.
  • Tedford Shelter provided 10,537 bednights of shelter in fiscal year 2006, over half of which went to families.
  • The average stay at Tedford Shelter is 14.6 nights.