Job Description
Portland Housing Authority (PHA) is one of the largest providers of housing subsidies in the State of Maine with about 3,000 subsidized households and about 6,000 individuals served. Residents of PHA’s housing represent a wide variety of marginalized identities including most predominantly elderly, disabled, formerly houseless, and refugee populations at much higher rates than the surrounding communities. While the primary purpose of the agency is alleviating the exorbitant burden of rent for low-income people, the Portland Housing Authority works to provide social services to break down barriers for individuals to thrive. Place based services in subsidized housing communities bridge gaps and increase access to essential supports for families and elders. The VISTA will serve with Portland Housing Authority’s Resident Services Department to take a snapshot of food insecurity in PHA housing and strategize plans to bring equity and access to food security resources in communities. Over the course of the project, the VISTA will build programming and forge new partnerships to provide consistent and stable supports for food insecure residents. Current food security services are inconsistent between communities and pull from varying resources when available. A VISTA volunteer will bring focus and intent to the efforts to meet needs in the short and long term. Through this service the VISTA will join multiple collaboratives and a cohort of other VISTAs serving to end hunger in Maine by 2030. Member Duties : Become oriented with the Portland Housing Authority communities, staff, programs, residents, and partners. Develop, distribute, and asses the findings of a survey to collect information about the barriers to/gaps in services and programming that contribute to food insecurity in Portland Housing Authority communities. Create a map of the needs, trends, barriers, and resources as a foundation for future planning. Plan and strategize with staff and partners about how to meet needs and build programs. Collaborate with a variety of staff and partners to generate realistic and effective strategies. For each community, propose plans to meet identified needs including short, medium, and long term impact strategies. Implement plans by building capacity for volunteer engagement, food sourcing, and building the partnerships needed to succeed. Program Benefits : Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend , Health Coverage* , Childcare assistance if eligible , Training , ME StatePark Pass, Prof Dev Fund , Living Allowance , Relocation Allowance . Terms : Permits working at another job during off hours , Permits attendance at school during off hours , Car recommended . Service Areas : Hunger . Skills : Computers/Technology , Communications , General Skills , Social Services , Team Work . SUMMARY Program Type: AmeriCorps VISTA Program Ending Hunger Corps – Food Access VISTA Program Start/End Date 06/01/2026 - 05/31/2027 Work Schedule Full Time Education level Some college Age Requirement Minimum: 18 Maximum: None Program Locations MAINE Languages English Accepting Applications From 05/08/2026 To 05/10/2026 Contact Lengert Kim 22 State House Sta Augusta ME 04333 2075301417 kim.lengert@maine.gov www.maine.gov/dacf/eh2030 Listing ID 121741