From Questions to Understanding: Supporting the Unhoused in Sanford

Recently, community members have raised important questions about the resources available to individuals in Sanford experiencing homelessness, as well as the broader challenges they face. To help provide clarity, we spoke with City of Sanford Administration, Diane Small, Executive Director of the Sanford Housing Authority, and Vicki Martin, the City of Sanford’s General Assistance Director. With decades of experience supporting and advocating for individuals facing housing instability, they offer a valuable perspective to help foster a deeper understanding of the complex and evolving nature of housing needs in our community.

Homelessness is an issue that touches every city and town across the United States. Every community, regardless of size or location, has individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The City and our local service providers acknowledge these needs and are continuously working to develop new approaches and provide resources to support individuals and families facing housing instability.

From a broad perspective, what factors contribute most to homelessness?

There are many factors that contribute and the need to address housing instability is significant. In general, the primary contributing factors are the lack of affordable housing, mental health and substance use challenges, stagnant wages compared to rising rents, barriers to accessing stable employment or benefits and limited funds from state and federal government for support programs.

Can you talk more about the rising cost of living and how that is impacting new and existing populations of community members?

Since COVID, the cost of living has continued to rise, while wages have not kept pace. As a result, it has become increasingly difficult for many individuals and families to remain housed. This has led to a growing number of households falling into the ALICE category (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed). This ALICE population, is made of community members who are working and earn above the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough to afford the basic cost of living. The expanding ALICE population has become a key area of focus for the Homeless Task Force and a driving force behind its shift towards prevention-based action.

Rising housing costs have also impacted the effectiveness of housing vouchers. While rent prices have continued to increase, funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support these vouchers has not, ultimately decreasing the number of people we can assist.

What are the benefits of having a Housing Authority and General Assistance?

General Assistance (GA) is not a nationwide resource. Maine is one of only a handful of states that maintains dedicated local GA Departments to support community members in need. They provide emergency aid to individuals and families struggling to meet their basic needs, including shelter, food, and other essential services. The GA program is designed specifically to support those in desperate need. The criteria to qualify for GA support are strict and designed for those who have very limited income.

The Sanford Housing Authority (SHA) is a local agency that provides affordable housing options and rental assistance to community members. Having a housing authority located within the City is a significant advantage. It allows the housing programs to be tailored specifically to the needs of Sanford and gives residents additional access to services and support.

SHA is recognized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a high performer, meaning it demonstrates strong performance in managing the Housing Choice Voucher Program (section 8). Many agencies do not reach this standard. This is important because a high rating helps SHA remain eligible for future and additional funding opportunities.

What work is being done to address homelessness and how are those currently unhoused in our community made aware of services?

Outreach happens in several ways. There are many agencies within Sanford and York County who work together on a day to day basis providing services. A key part to effective outreach, is the relationship that all of our agencies have together. We coordinate weekly to ensure real-time updates and referrals for service are continually happening. Area service providers are consistently out in the community, offering services, building relationships and fielding referrals for people in need of support.

In 2019 the City’s Homeless Task force was created with the goal of coordinating services and addressing homelessness through identifying needs and gaps in services. The group is comprised of City officials, City staff and local service providers who continue to meet regularly to address the changing needs of our unhoused community members.

In 2024, through the work of the City’s Homeless Task Force, a Housing Navigation Team was created. This group is comprised of direct care service providers (Sanford Housing Authority, City of Sanford General Assistance, York County Community Action, Caring Unlimited, York County Shelter Programs and Sanford School Department). The purpose was to streamline coordination of resources. Instead of someone in need reaching out to multiple agencies in search of help, they reach out to just one access point person, who then conducts a coordinated entry housing assessment to determine needs.

Coordinated Entry is a standardized system that ensures people experiencing housing instability can access the services they need in a fair, organized and efficient way. It is designed to prioritize resources for the most at-risk people. As housing units, vouchers or support programs become available, the system matches those most in need of services, ensuring equity and making certain that limited resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact.

Coordinated Entry is not a waitlist, it’s a dynamic tool to connect people to the right kind of help, in the right order, at the right time. While resources remain limited, this system is critical to making sure no one falls through the cracks and that service providers work together to get people housed and supported.

What progress have you seen in the last year from this work and what else is coming?

We’ve seen significant progress in coordinating services, especially through the Homeless Task Force and biweekly Housing Navigation Team case conferencing. We’ve helped transition 130 people into permanent housing through just this group alone since February of 2024.

One promising development coming to Sanford is Sanford Housing Authority’s planned Home for Good Project, which will provide permanent housing for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. Unlike traditional models, Home for Good does not require residents to address behavioral health issues or complete programs before moving in. Instead, it treats housing as the first step toward stability, giving residents a foundation to shift from daily survival to personal growth. Comprehensive support services, including mental health and substance use treatment, are made available to residents upon entry, ensuring immediate access to care and a stable foundation for recovery. When a resident enters recovery, the Home for Good program is positioned to serve as a stable platform that supports continued growth and healing. The project will have 24/7 staffing to ensure residents have consistent access to support and remain in recovery.

Sanford Housing Authority is also expanding partnerships with York County Government’s Recovery Center, currently being built on Layman’s Way in Alfred. This will be a 58-bed treatment center offering a continuum of services, from detox to housing. Both of these facilities will have a significant positive impact on our ability to offer resources in the area.

Some people wonder why folks don’t just accept shelter or services. Can you share your perspective on that?

Homelessness is a complex issue. In Sanford, as in many communities, a large portion of those who remain unhoused in our community are also living with mental health conditions and/or substance use disorder.

Current State laws and service models prioritize personal choice, meaning participation in services is voluntary. While support is regularly made available, the decision to accept it ultimately lies with the individual. This approach can present challenges, particularly when a person’s decision-making capacity is impacted by mental illness, substance use or trauma. These conditions can significantly affect brain function, making it more difficult for someone to recognize their needs or choose to engage with available support.

At this time, Maine does not have widespread mechanisms in place for involuntary treatment or intervention. Current laws leave the decision to engage in services largely in the hands of the individual, even when they are in dire need of support. This model creates a significant gap in care for those who are unable to recognize or seek the help they need on their own. It also limits the ability of service providers, the City and law enforcement to intervene. Many of the unhoused individuals in our community are consistently offered services but continue to decline them. Continued reliance on voluntary commitment to services is producing diminishing results and must be addressed to break a cycle of long-term unhoused individuals experiencing mental health issues and/or substance use disorder.

Are there legal or ethical limitations that prevent the City or service providers from forcing someone into housing or treatment?

Yes, in the United States, individuals have the right to refuse services unless there is a clear legal reason for intervention (such as danger to themselves or others). This can be frustrating for the public to understand, but ethical service delivery is grounded in personal choice and autonomy. We prioritize trust-building and voluntary engagement as the most sustainable path forward.

From a law enforcement perspective, are there policies that could help the public better understand why officers respond the way they do in certain situations? (Answered by Police Chief Eric Small)

There are a few state-wide policies that would be beneficial for the pubic to be aware of, when it comes to how our officers can respond in certain situations. The mentality of prioritizing support is also shared by the Maine Attorney General’s Office who in 2022 required all law enforcement agencies to adopt a homeless crisis protocol. The purpose of the Protocol by Law Enforcement is to provide a diversion program, a response other than traditional entry into the criminal justice system for a homeless person whose behavior is consistent with certain low-level violation of the law. The listed offenses included in the protocol are: criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct, public urination, possession of a scheduled drug, and public drinking. For more information about this, search for State Law Title, 17-A M.R.S. §18Homelessness crisis protocol. https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/statutes/17-A/title17-Asec18-1.html.

Maine lawmakers recently implemented policy changes that shifted penalties for small, personal use amounts of drugs to a civil violation and reclassified low-level possession of heroin and other drugs from a felony to a misdemeanor. Changes that were made to reflect an effort to address substance use disorder as a public health issue rather than solely through the criminal justice system.

In 2019, the Sanford Police Department created a Mental Health Unit (MHU). The MHU is a co-response team that pairs mental health professionals with officers dedicated to helping people experiencing mental health crisis.

By dedicating a specialized unit, the department has seen a reduction in repeated calls for service, minimizing strain on resources, but most importantly, connecting people with mental illness to community partners who can best address their needs, rather than repeated criminal referrals into the criminal justice system. This is known as diversion or alternatives to traditional prosecution for certain offenders. Through the MHU, Sanford Police Department Officers now have a greater awareness of community resources, allowing them to connect individuals to treatment, services and other support if they choose to accept help.

The Sanford Homeless Task Force is strengthening efforts in homeless prevention. Can you explain more about this?

While emergency response remains a critical part of our work and emphasis, we continue to consistently offer services to those in our community who are currently unhoused. Ultimately, the decision to engage with these services lies with the individual. There remain a number of individuals who have refused to engage in services. Our role is to ensure those services are accessible and that barriers, such as transportation, documentation, or eligibility requirements, are addressed and minimized.

We are now placing equal focus on prevention, keeping people housed before they become homeless. The Sanford Homeless Task Force is meeting to strengthen a prevention framework. The mission is to create a collaborative, data-driven and equity-centered system designed to prevent homelessness before it begins. The plan is to adapt the coordinated entry system currently used by Housing Navigation Team and apply it to coordination of resources for those at risk of becoming unhoused. To streamline access to services, Task Force members would connect individuals directly to the service providers who can best meet their needs.

Prevention services may include rental assistance, mediation between landlords and tenants, utility support, and addressing barriers to employment or healthcare that can lead to eviction. We also need strong support systems for children and reliable transportation to help people remain in or enter the workforce. Prevention work may be quieter, but it is one of the most impactful tools we have.

Who is considered most at risk?

At risk populations include low-income renters, especially those on fixed income (seniors, people with disabilities), single parents, survivors of domestic violence, and young adults aging out of the care systems.

We are particularly focused on the ALICE population (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed), who are working community members who earn above the Federal Poverty Level but not enough to afford the basic cost of living. To learn more about the ALICE population visit, https://www.unitedway-york.org/meet-alice.

Effective communication is critical to reaching individuals at risk, especially those who may have never needed to engage with support services before. Building a wide network of community partners is essential to help raise awareness about available resources and assistance programs.

Building a network of community partners is a critical part of prevention work. These stakeholders, including first responders, community-based organizations, faith-based groups, family members, neighbors, and others, can help identify individuals who may be struggling to make ends meet. They play a key role in making referrals and sharing information about available resources, helping ensure support reaches those who may have never needed to engage with services before.

How can community members or businesses contribute in a meaningful way?

Real change can never be made by just a few entities, and we welcome community involvement. Businesses can help by hiring individuals in need or partnering on job training programs. Individuals can support pre-existing community outreach efforts by donating identified food, clothing, or hygiene items to local food pantries; in Sanford many of these are operated by faith-based groups or service agencies.

Residents can volunteer or donate funds to local service agencies. Never be afraid to contact a local support agency directly to ask about how you or your business can help. Although you may want to offer direct volunteer support, the most effective way to make a meaningful impact is by partnering with organizations that are already doing the work. They can help identify which types of donations or volunteer efforts are most needed, ensuring your support goes where it's needed most.

Advocate on the state and federal level for more affordable housing, gap housing funds and mental health and substance use disorder beds and services across the State. Funding for these programs is allocated by the State and Federal governments, and it’s important to engage with your local representatives. They are the ones voting on policies and funding decisions that directly impact the unhoused community.

One of the most important things you can do is challenge your own assumptions about the unhoused community. Many of those you see, are longtime residents of the Sanford community. Treat people experiencing homelessness with dignity and continue to call for solutions rooted in compassion, not punishment. At the end of day, remember that we are all just people with different lived experiences. Showing up with kindness and respect for all of our community members costs nothing, but goes a long way.

If you're looking for local organizations to connect with, you can start by visiting the City of Sanford’s Assistance Programs page at www.sanfordmaine.org/community/ap.php or explore the statewide resource database at 211maine.org.