Community Housing of Maine focuses on three things: Supportive Housing through collaboration, Workforce Housing, and Advocacy.
CHOM is a part of an advocacy campaign to
increase the supply of Section 8 rental subsidies. Please see this
important video that explains the importance of Section 8
CLICK HERE |
CHOM serves vulnerable populations and it believes everyone should be included within the community. CHOM stands up and fights for critical policy initiatives and legislation that will positively effect homeless and special needs populations, as it fights against policies that would undermine. Some of this work is proactive and behind the scenes, and other times it is a more public battle for social justice and equality where change is greeted by resistance. Community Housing of Maine has been and will continue to be on the forefront of supportive housing development, challenging and overcoming obstacles along the way, and breaking a path for others to follow.
CHOM actively participates in the Statewide Homeless Council, Regions I, II, III Homeless Councils, Maine Balance of State Continuum of Care, the Greater Penobscot Continuum of Care, the Portland Continuum of Care, Emergency Shelter Assessment Committee, and it created and chairs the Maine Coalition for Housing and Quality Services (a parent-led 4000 member advocacy organization for persons with disabilities, particularly developmental disabilities). CHOM plays an active role in researching and disseminating information about Federal and State Legislation, and helps each of these groups to formulate and take action in supporting policies and Legislation pivotal to the successful community integration and inclusion of vulnerable populations. Through its unique position, CHOM has helped diverse groups around the state unite and speak with one voice, working collectively to effect change.
CHOM is an active participant
A presence at meetings:
CHOM is active in all three Continuums of Care, all three Regional Homeless Councils, and regularly puts in the equivalent of 2 full days per month in its very active role on the Statewide Homeless Council and subcommittees thereof.
CHOM also organized and chairs the Maine Coalition for Housing and Quality Services, a parent led group with 4000 participants who are primarily parents of people with developmental disabilities. Advocacy efforts by this Coalition frequently parallel and are purposely in concert with homelessness advocacy.
CHOM also serves on the Steering Committee for and is active in the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition (MAHC), and regularly serves a similar role in mobilizing that Coalition’s advocacy around extremely low income and vulnerable populations, homelessness, and supportive housing.
Having near constant attendance at all of these meeting involves some significant travel time.
Helping Maine Speak with One Voice:
In addition, CHOM helps promote advocacy around the state in an effort to have Maine speak with one voice to its Congressional Delegation to educate them about policy and appropriations implications for ending homelessness in Maine. This involves regular contact with key staffers of the Delegation and efforts to find and summarize information on their behalf.
CHOM invests in multiple day travel trips to DC to meet with the Delegation about 4 or more times per year, including organizing and chairing meetings with the Delegation in conjunction with the annual National Alliance Conference on Ending Homelessness (past 6 years), and representing homelessness issues in conjunction with the New England Housing Network annual DC advocacy trip that meets with the New England Delegation and a variety of Federal Agency subcommittees including HUD, OMB, and Treasury, as well as Appropriations.
CHOM routinely organizes letter, email, and calling campaigns for Maine advocates and disseminates federal and state legislative information and updates on issues relating to homelessness. This information is so regular it is an established item on all of the Regional Homeless Council and CoC agendas.
Significant time goes into preparation for this type of advocacy so that it is relatively easy for others around the state to participate.
Providing Education:
In broader advocacy efforts, CHOM has routinely provided presentations on the topics of advocacy, homelessness, understanding and serving vulnerable populations, and supportive housing best practices at conferences around the state and around the country (national conferences). CHOM has presented at 7 conferences this past year, including 4 in Maine, 2 in California, and one in DC. It has also provided one plenary workshop for a City Council.
