The Quality Housing Coalition announced on Monday that they have received a $30,000 donation from InterMed to help them in their efforts to address the homelessness crisis in Greater Portland. InterMed, Maine’s largest independent physician-owned practice, established in 1993 and has grown to serve more than 100,000 patients across the state with a team of over 900 clinicians and staff.

InterMed President Dr. Phyllidia Ku-Ruth stated that for their 30th anniversary, they wanted to support an organization directly addressing the affordable housing crisis in southern Maine. This collaboration aims to address the community conditions that prevent people from thriving in Maine. According to Dr. Ku-Ruth, access to housing is a major barrier to good health and this partnership is essential.

The Quality Housing Coalition’s Project HOME program has already provided 650 permanent homes to more than 1,500 adults and children who have experienced homelessness. The executive director of the Quality Housing Coalition, Victoria Morales expressed her excitement about the donation stating that stable housing is the foundation of health and wellbeing. She thanked InterMed for their support and highlighted the importance of addressing housing instability as a way of improving overall health outcomes.