Increasing Housing Assistance Supports in Central Maine for Victims/Survivors of Human Trafficking

Penquis C.A.P., Inc. (Penquis) and its subsidiary Rape Response Services, in collaboration with Partners for Peace and CourageLIVES, will  provide housing assistance in central Maine for victims/survivors of human trafficking. This collaboration consists of a community action agency, sexual assault victim services agency, domestic violence resource center, and program for human trafficking and exploitation victims/survivors. Project partners will create a housing assistance program that enables victims/survivors to secure safe, stable housing and have access to resources that support safety, autonomy, self-sufficiency, and well-being. The program will provide housing navigation, advocacy, financial assistance, and access to support services, including short-term behavioral health therapy; incorporate low-barrier, victim-centered, trauma-informed, and collaborative approaches; increase human trafficking identification and response among community stakeholders; and inform federal state, and local frameworks and collaborative models to meet the housing needs of victims/survivors.