Homeless Taskforce Update #2 (8/15)

Resident Unhoused (August 15th):
The City’s Homeless Task Force was activated to again increase the efforts around addressing our Resident Unhoused Population, people originating in Sanford/Springvale (or the close Region) who have become or have been unhoused for an extended period for various reasons. Due to the rapid increase in the number of Unhoused in the last year as well as the increased presence of financially unhoused, mental health and most dramatically Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD), the Task Force was activated to further address homelessness.

Task Force Meeting #2 August 14, 2023
City and Community Partners;

• City Council Representation
• Sanford Housing Authority
• York County Community Action Corp.
• Sanford School Department
• Sanford Police Department and Mental Health Unit
• Sanford Fire Department
• York County Shelter Program
• Caring Unlimited
• Senator Collins York County State Representative
• City Administrative Staff

The Task Force's objective is to identify both short-term and long-term solutions for addressing homelessness in Sanford and the surrounding region. We appreciate the dedication of resources and expertise from our community partners in support of the Task Force's mission. We appreciate the dedication of resources and expertise from our community partners in support of the Task Force's mission.

Current Statistics from Sanford Police Mental Health Unit (MHU):

• 147 unique contacts.
• 106 known unhoused individuals.
• 30 individuals have a high probability of finding housing through partner resources.
• 76 unhoused individuals require extensive case management and resource allocation.

School Department reported:

• 117 youth were unhoused during the previous school year.
• 31 of them were outside the district and needed transportation to school five days a week.
  • Grant and COVID funds were being used but these resources are ending.
• The number of unhoused students has doubled in the past three years.
• Partnering with Prebble Street Program in Portland for Unaccompanied Youths aged 14-24 through referrals.
• Exploring the Ryan House model in North Berwick for unaccompanied youth housing as a potential approach in Sanford.
• York County Shelter Program coordinating family sheltering around school districts.
• Expanding solutions for inter-district student transportation through York County Transportation's public transit services.

Short-Term Priorities:

• Addressing the lack of restroom facilities for unhoused individuals, with potential installation of Porta Potties alongside Sharps Containers.
  • Proposed placement of 1 ADA and 1 regular portable facility in the Police Department Parking Lot for monitoring.
  • Exploring the use of General Assistance Funds for recurring costs.
  • Consideration of permanent Sharps Containers at $195.00 each or containers from the Harm Reduction Program.
• Implementing Sharps Containers to safely dispose of medical sharps.
  • Exploring funding for purchase and disposal in partnership with Maine CDC and Maine Access Points.
• .Managing solid waste by providing PAYT Bags to unhoused individuals for daily trash collection to prevent littering.
  • Offering gift card incentives for proper collection and disposal compliance
• Enhancing food donations to bolster meals provided by the York County Shelter Program in the absence of the Peer Support Center

Coordination of Community Partners and Resources:

• YCCAC assigned a Case Manager to work with MHU for the unhoused population, assisting with housing voucher applications, public benefits applications, medical resources, and other necessities until housing is secured. MHU will continue to be the first point of contact and known contact connecting these resources
• The closed Peer Support Center's impact on access to peer support, counseling, restrooms, daytime facilities, and food has been lost. The Center was run by MaineHealth and funded by the State on a three-year funding cycle. Multiple people and entities are searching for a new location, but short-term funding and stigmatism has precluded placement to date. If lost for the remaining year of their current term, it may be very difficult to obtain future funding through DHHS.
• Establishing a Resource Hub, coordinated by the City and Community Partners, inside York County Community Action's fenced area, to offer a range of resources including food, medical assistance, case management, housing support, and referrals. The Hub worked very well during its previous deployment and will greatly aid in the interim until additional capacities are identified or implemented.
• Harm Reduction Program (Syringe Exchange) ongoing discussions with Maine Access Points for a new location, preferably a brick and mortar facility, not outside. MHU will report out findings and next steps. Maine Access Points will be invited to the next Task Force meeting.

Housing Placement and Finances:

• Sanford Housing Authority applying for AmeriCorps positions for Housing Navigators to be distributed among Community Partners within the Task Force
• Landlord education efforts continue to support housing voucher use and tenant relationships
• Addressing gap funds for rental assistance to bridge housing allowances and costs, prevent eviction, and assist financially impacted individuals. This is a critical area of ongoing needed resources to bridge the gap of housing allowances and housing costs. It is also critically important for those in danger of eviction due to inability to pay current rent.
• Exploring opportunities to expand capacity at York County Shelter Program with a meeting scheduled with state officials for funding discussions. Finances are the largest component preventing increase shelter capacity at the YCSP. ESHAP from Maine State Housing only provides 35% of the funds necessary to cover the cost of a shelter bed. YCSP has 67 staffed beds in Alfred at one time and is currently down to 36 at their location. It was noted that the Town of Alfred does not support the expansion of Shelter Services or the expansion of Layman’s Way, a substance abuse recovery center adjacent to the Jail.
• Pursuing the Housing First Model with Sanford Housing Authority, York County Community Action, and the City partnering for 30 Housing First Beds funded by the State Supplemental Budget. A known Developer is identified and land is under consideration (TBD). Sanford Housing would own and operate the Housing and YCCAC would provide the Staffing for Programing within the Housing for long term case management. The pending Application, Letters of Support, and full details are still pending.
• Seeking additional IHSP funds for 55 and older Service Programs from York County Area Agency on Aging to facilitate independent living and housing stability. Both the MHU and Fire/EMS can assist in connecting Seniors in need of such programing as part of their regular and ongoing contacts.
• Nasson Federally Qualified Healthcare Facility (FQHC) administered by YCCAC is partnering to provide medical services, especially wound care to those with Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD). The Sanford Fire/EMS Dept. also has pending a Grant Application to start a Community Paramedicine Program that can/will coordinate with Nasson FQHC and MaineHealth and other Medical Providers to go to people needing services, to include the Unhoused Population.
• York County Shelter Program (YCSP) has been funded to establish a Resource Hub for food and warming shelter services in the former Lafayette School. Discussion of combining the warming shelter with other services occurred but was dismissed due to the necessity of maintaining separation and avoiding negative impact on the surrounding residential neighborhood.

Meeting with State Resources:

• City Administration, YCCAC, and YCSP engaged with the Governor's Office of Innovation and Maine State Housing to seek State Funding for York County's shelter beds. YCSP had 67 beds in Alfred, now reduced to 36 beds in Alfred and 16 Family Shelter Beds in Sanford – significantly insufficient for York County's needs. ESHAP via Maine State Housing currently funds these beds at around 35% of actual operational costs. Higher utilities and staffing expenses are jeopardizing shelter operations post COVID, despite extra funds raised. YCSP plans Notre Dame Hall building and septic renovations if funded. A one-time $5.0M ESHAP allocation will soon be exhausted. No additional State funding identified for current bed operation or new capacity.
• Governor's Executive Order 2 FY 23/24 establishes Office of New Americans by 2025, emphasizing workforce development over housing. City to collaborate with partners on revised shelter bed strategy. City advised to apply for a competitive 30-unit Housing First Facility.

In summary, our community partners in the Task Force are already providing crucial services to address unhoused individuals. The difference now lies in coordinated efforts and and active amplification of their individual agency work in the combined and defined mission unique to our unhoused population. The response from the Partners has been outstanding. The continued issues to address are capacities in all areas of sheltering, housing, mental health services/beds, substance abuse services/beds, and gap funds to financially impacted people before and after they become unhoused. Capacities are Number 1.