State leaders warn new federal homelessness policy could force hundreds back onto the streets

AUGUSTA — There could soon be hundreds of additional homeless people in the Bangor area, and an estimated 1,200 more across Maine.

That’s the warning from Gov. Janet Mills and state homeless advocates, who say a new Trump administration policy is to blame.

“This new directive from the Trump administration is callous. It is cruel and it is unnecessary,” Mills said.

On Monday, Mills stood with state leaders at the State House, calling on federal officials to stop the U.S. Department of Housing and Human Services’ homelessness response policy before it takes effect.

“I call on the Trump administration to rescind this needless, misguided directive,” Mills said.

Last Thursday, the Trump administration announced plans to significantly overhaul the country’s homelessness strategy by redirec