PORTLAND (AP) – The Kresge Foundation has awarded a $1 million challenge grant to a nonprofit agency in Portland for its work in reducing chronic homelessness.

Gov. John Baldacci was on hand Thursday for the announcement of the grant to the Preble Street Resource Center. To secure the entire grant, the agency must raise $6 million in private funding.

As part of its “Home for Good” initiative, Preble Street recently purchased land on which it hopes to build permanent housing for homeless women. Some of the money will go toward furthering that project.