Project HOME Trust
Project HOME Trust is a guaranteed income pilot run by the Quality Housing Coalition (QHC), a Portland, Maine nonprofit, providing single mothers who had experienced homelessness with unrestricted monthly cash payments alongside housing navigation and in-home health outreach. The first cohort (June 2023-May 2024) gave $1,000/month to 20 mothers; cash assistance was privately funded while staffing was supported by a City of Portland Community Development Block Grant. QHC evaluated the pilot as a randomized controlled trial with research partner Stepwise Data Research. As of QHC's current website, the program has expanded and states it provides direct cash assistance to a cumulative 67 single mothers.
Guaranteed Income, Single Mothers, Formerly Homeless, Housing Insecurity, Maine, Randomized Control Trial, Benefits Cliff
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- Quality Housing Coalition
- City
- Portland
- State / Province
- Maine
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Phone
- +1 207 274 1063
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Active
- Application status
- Timed
- Number of recipients
- 67
- Funding type
- Government, Nonprofit, Philanthropic, Research Pilot
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 12,000 USD
- Avg. Per Month
- 1,000 USD
- Payment frequency
- Monthly
- How long the program lasts
- 12 months
- Distribution Type
- Direct Deposit, Check
- Benefit details
Participants received $1,000 per month for 12 months (total $12,000 per participant). QHC's program glossary states payments are 'disbursed through monthly checks,' while the program FAQ separately states payments are made via direct deposit requiring a bank account - the two sources conflict. QHC also piloted an alternate lump-sum arm paying $3,600 for the year. Beyond cash, participants receive housing navigation, in-home health outreach, and monthly cohort meetings. A control group of non-selected eligible applicants received $30 gift cards per completed research survey but no cash assistance.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Eligible applicants are single mothers with dependent children in Maine who have experienced homelessness or housing insecurity, with the first cohort drawn from Cumberland, York, and Androscoggin counties. Selection occurs via random lottery among applicants who apply during a defined enrollment window; QHC was not accepting new applications for the current cycle as of research. Applicants not selected as cash-payment participants may join a control group and complete quarterly research surveys for gift cards. QHC advises applicants to consult a benefits counselor beforehand, since participation may affect other public benefits such as MaineCare, SNAP, TANF, or Section 8.
Demographics
- Sex
- Female
- Gender
- Female
Family
- Family Status
- Single Parent
- Number of dependents (minimum)
- 1
Housing
- Housing status
- Homeless
Geography
- US states covered
- Maine
- Countries covered
- United States
- Cities covered
- Portland, South Portland, Westbrook, Biddeford, Lewiston, Auburn, Poland
- Counties covered
- Cumberland, York, Androscoggin
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Research / data sharing
- Required
- Complementary program enrollment required
- Project HOME (QHC's housing navigation/case management program) is bundled alongside Project HOME Trust cash assistance.
- Research / participation requirements
QHC partners with research firm Stepwise Data Research to conduct quarterly surveys (approximately 20 minutes, completed in person) of both the cash-payment participant group and a randomized control group, measuring financial, physical, and mental well-being. Findings are compiled into a public Project HOME Trust impact report and used by QHC to advocate for state policy on direct cash assistance.
Application Process
- How to apply
QHC opens a defined application enrollment period announced via qualityhousingcoalition.org/project-home-trust; interested single mothers submit an application during that window. As of research (July 2026), QHC states it is 'no longer accepting applications to the current cycle of this program' and asks prospective applicants to check back later.
- Selection process
Participants are selected by random lottery from the pool of eligible applicants who meet stated eligibility requirements and submit an application during the enrollment period. Eligible applicants not selected may be randomly invited to join a research-only control group.
