Seven Maine school districts will receive a total of $2 million to combat student homelessness.
Schools in Portland, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, the Bath area, Biddeford, Ellsworth and Lewiston will receive the money.
The one-year awards are intended for schools to hire housing specialists, offer rental assistance and help with transportation and other expenses.
MaineHousing, which is distributing the money, says the Student Homelessness Prevention Program serves nearly 1,300 students and their families.
“This joint effort by the Maine State Housing Authority and the Maine Department of Education will help hundreds of homeless students and their families secure permanent housing,” said Maine State Rep. Mike Brennan of Portland in a statement.
The money comes from the state’s emergency housing relief fund.
