A program that provides shelter for homeless youth is being shut down after it was denied a federal grant.

The Bangor Daily News reports the Northern Lighthouse in Aroostook County will be closing after officials got word that they would not be receiving a $350,000 federal grant which produced a majority of its funding.

Starting in 2023, the program supported homeless youth between the ages of 16 and 21 and was the only program like that in Aroostook County.

Northern Lighthouse CEO Blake Hatt said a notification was received about the denial and didn’t go into detail about the decision.

“It stated that funding decisions were made and our program and application was not selected for funding this round,” said Hatt.

Since Sept. 30, a delay in reviewing the grant application left the program without federal funding, which was the result of the government shutdown.

“It was gut wrenching,” Hatt said about breaking the news to the staff. Having to meet with the team and tell them the outcome of what had happened and seeing the looks on their face.”

The application sent by the Northern Lighthouse included a pair of memorandums, one with the Presque Isle Police Department and another with the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office.

Hatt stated that the loss of this program is a massive blow to efforts of preventing homelessness in the area.

“Seeing some finish their education, get their diplomas, move on to college, get their own apartment, get driver’s licenses, seek alternative education, volunteering employment, seeing them reach these milestones, it just reaffirmed that what we were doing was the right thing and it was a needed service for the community,” said Hatt.