The Bangor Area Homeless Shelter is open 365 days a year. We are a dry shelter for people 18 or older.
The Bangor Area Homeless Shelter does not discrimination based on race, color, religion, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, national origin, disability, or mental health diagnosis.
If you need emergency housing, please call the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter at (207) 947-0092 to complete an intake with our staff. Beds are not reserved over the phone, and we act on a first come first served basis. We can only accept people 18 years of age or older. Guests at BAHS must be clean and sober from drugs, medical marijuana, and alcohol for at least 24 hours. BAHS has 38 beds year-round, and in the winter, we will open “overflow” beds. Each length of stay is different. Individuals are dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
Our Diversion Program: In special cases, our Diversion Coordinator works with a person experiencing homelessness or in immediate danger of becoming homeless to find a solution that will allow them to stay in their home, become rapidly re-housed, or relocate to a place where they have housing options to avoid becoming homeless or avoid having to enter an emergency shelter. Call (207) 947-0092 and ask for the Diversion Coordinator.
Day Program: Our doors are open to any sober adults to come into our day room every day from 8 am to 4 pm. Guests are welcome to use our phone, bathroom, get information about other resources in the Bangor Area, ask for any clothing or personal items they need, get warm or cool off, and meet with different organizations that work with the shelter.
Free Lunch Every Day: Lunch is served inside our shelter at 12:00 noon. Adults who are not living at our shelter are welcome to come eat lunch at noon.
Food Pantry: Open every Tuesday and Thursday from 1pm to 4pm. Individuals are allowed access to our pantry once a month.
Our Winter Warming Center will open December 7, 2024, and close March 15, 2025. Warming Center hours are 6 PM to 5:30 AM, 7 days a week. Dinner is served at 7pm every night.
Search for Other Community Resources:
Search for Community Resorces (A website by Northern Light Healthcare)
Findhelp.com – Resources for food, housing, health, money, care, education, work, and legal services
Penquis Heating assistance, transportation, and many other services
Bangor Public Library has a Social Worker
To apply for free or discounted mattresses contact Sleep Dr.
Your trusted guide to mental health & wellness Click here for Help Guide
Housing Resources:
Maine Housing -Maine State Housing Authority
Community Housing of Maine (CHOM)
Substance Recovery Housing Services:
Milestone Recovery – Located in Portland, Maine
Fresh Start Sober Living -Located in Bangor
Substance Use Detox Programs:
Milestone Detox Program- In Portland, Maine
New Horizons is a Clinical Managed Detox Center
Shelters for Women and Children:
Wellspring Infinity House Substance Use Recovery – Women with Children
Partners for Peace – Domestic Violence Support
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Supports:
Maine Domestic Violence Helpline 1-866-834-4357
Maine Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Line 1-800-871-7741
Rape Response Services – Also has a housing navigator
Partners for Peace – Domestic Violence Support
HelpGuide.com Domestic Violence Resources
Human Trafficking Resources:
National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733
Human Trafficking Resources in Maine
CourageLIVES -home for women who had experienced human trafficking or exploitation
Food Resources:
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
Looking for a Job?
Maine Department of Labor Disability Resources
Job Fairs at the Career Center: List of Job Fairs
Education Resources:
Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment (HOPE) Program is committed to helping parents and specified relatives reach their educational and career goals by helping cover costs related to school. HOPE Website
Workshops and Training at the Career Center: List of Workshops
CareerOneStop lets you research careers, find training, and search for jobs: CareerOneStop website
Elder Services:
Federal and state financial assistance for seniors. Click here: Paying For Senior Care
Caring.com -Emergency Housing and other Assistance for the Elderly
Eastern Area Agency on Aging -offers many services
Meals-On-Wheels -for people over 60
Veteran Supports:
Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services
Caring.com -Emergency Housing Resources for Veterans
HelpGuide.com Veterans PTSD Supports
Career Center -Veteran’s Services
Veterans exposed to asbestos can submit a claim to the VA. Contact the Veterans Outreach Department of The Mesothelioma Advocacy Center. Mesothelioma & Veterans Website
Mesothelioma Diagnosis Mesothelioma Symptoms
Substance Use Support:
Overdose Prevention Helpline (serving Maine) at 1-(800) 972-0590
A Time to Rise -Addiction Recovery and Mental Health Trauma Therapy Services
HelpGuide.com Addiction Resources
Overdose Prevention Through Intensive Outreach Naloxone and Safety (OPTIONS) Syringe service program, Naloxone, overdose response team, medical outreach, and assistance getting into detox programs. OPTIONS website
SaVida Health’s – Drug Or Alcohol Rehabilitation
The Together Place -Peer Support Groups
Bangor Area Recovery Network (BARN)
Substance Use Prevention Resources
Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness
Medical and Mental Health Supports:
Maine Mental Health Crisis Line at 1.888.568.1112
Sweetser’s Find a Therapist Database
Health Affiliates of Maine’s Find a Therapist Database
HelpGuide.com Find a Therapist or Medication Manager
Affordable Dental Care Directory
The Maine Suicide Prevention Program
Eagles Clubhouse mental health recovery and vocational rehabilitation program.
Bangor Health and Community Services
Higher Ground Counseling and Case Management