Maine faces a “perfect storm” of challenges
Overwhelmed Foster Care System
Maine’s foster care population continues to rise, as do rates of confirmed neglect and abuse.
Adoption & Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System, or AFCARS, published data for fiscal year 2023, shows that Maine removed children from their families because of abuse and neglect at one of the highest rates in the country.
Maine’s current recurrence of maltreatment rate is 19.6%, statistically below the national performance standard.
Lack of Affordable
Housing
Maine is experiencing a housing shortage and unsustainable costs for its aging residents.
Aging Mainers struggle to downsize and find adequate housing to age in place in their communities.
Over 82% of respondents to the Shared Maine Community Health Needs Assessment expressed concerns about the availability of affordable housing.
Oldest State in the Country
Maine’s aging population continues to grow and to be at risk of social isolation and depression.
29% of Maine’s population is 60 years of age or older.
66% of Women 65 years and older, and 35% of men live alone.
1 in 3 Mainers 65 years or older have a depression diagnosis.