AUGUSTA — Seven Maine school districts are getting funds to help address student homelessness with the new school year just around the corner.

MaineHousing announced Monday that it has distributed more than $2 million to the districts through the Student Homelessness Prevention Program. The idea is to help the nearly 1,300 students and their families experiencing — or at risk of experiencing — homelessness.

“We know these funds will help many families bridge the gap to housing stability, and we are deeply grateful to the school systems working to support students and families facing a housing crisis,” Dan Brennan, MaineHousing director, said in a statement.

The funds will help school districts pay for homelessness prevention specialists, rental assistance, security and utility deposits, and transportation, according to MaineHousing. 

Rep. Mike Brennan (D-Portland), who sponsored the legislation to create the Emergency Housing Relief Fund, said it’s a joint effort by the housing authority and Maine Department of Education.

“Unfortunately, this September, too many students will not have a home to return to at the end of the school day,” Brennan said in a statement.

He said he hopes the money will “help hundreds of homeless students and their families secure permanent housing.”

The districts receiving the funds are: Portland, RSU 1 (Bath and surrounding areas), Ellsworth, Lewiston, Biddeford, South Portland and Cape Elizabeth.