The Nominating Committee for the NEW BOARD UNANIMOUSLY SELECTED PAYNE, THE SENIOR HOUSING ADVISOR FOR GOVERNOR JANET MILLS
| The Nominating Committee for the new Maine Continuum of Care (MCoC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that it has unanimously selected Greg Payne to lead a newly formed MCoC Board of Directors as its chairperson. The Committee, was established to select a new Board of Directors as part of a reorganization of the MCoC’s governance structure, which began in January following a vote by the former MCoC Board of Directors to move forward with that change. The MCoC is a group of service providers who work together in a collaborative planning process to develop programs that address and end homelessness. Funding, through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), supports these programs, and is provided to Continuums throughout the country via an application process. Local agencies wishing to access these funds must do so through their Continuum’s annual CoC Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) application process. The MCoC covers the entire State of Maine and supports projects throughout the state. Its mission is to plan and coordinate an inclusive system that helps Maine people avoid or exit quickly from homelessness, and to address the underlying causes of homelessness. Payne, who has previously served as the Director of the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition (MAHC) and a developer of affordable housing at Avesta Housing and currently serves as the Senior Advisor on Housing Policy in the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF), is well known in Maine among affordable housing advocates. Payne has also served as Board Chair for the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Payne has a long track record of working collaboratively across private, non-profit and government sectors to solve homelessness in Maine. His leadership will be critical as the MCoC Board looks to support more innovation, best practice programs, and leaders from business, philanthropy, housing and health care to meet the significant needs for those experiencing homelessness throughout the state. “The selection of Greg Payne for this role is very exciting and is coming at a time of pivotal change for the Maine CoC and those who are experiencing homelessness here in Maine,” said Maine COC Executive Director Dean Klein. “I am confident that Greg’s selection will support the exciting momentum the Maine CoC now has and will encourage other leaders from various sectors to join the new board,” Klein said. “Doing this work with urgency is critical because lives are often at stake. Greg brings unique energy, enthusiasm, and experience that will aid in accelerating an end to homelessness in Maine.” “I am honored to be selected as Chair of the Maine Continuum of Care Board of Directors and look forward to working with fellow board members in promoting thoughtful and effective approaches to addressing homelessness in our state,” said Greg Payne. “The Continuum of Care is a lifeline for thousands of Maine people who would otherwise be at risk of homelessness or severe housing instability. The Board will bring to the table the urgency and commitment that this issue demands, and I look forward to getting to work.” Payne’s role as board chair will be essential in guiding the direction of the Maine CoC and in helping to recruit new board candidates from a variety of sectors including business, non-profit and government. Those interested in serving on the board can learn more and find a link to apply by completing a short, five-question, online application by visiting the Maine Homeless Planning website’s information page. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. |