Homeless Task Force Meeting #17 (07/02)

The Task Force met and reviewed or acted in the following areas;

Heritage Crossing Encampment Closure:

A debrief on the closure was undertaken. It was noted that the 19 Strategies worked well as the foundation and for the implementation. Police continue to monitor the area still slated for final cleaning starting July 8, 2024. No Trespassing signs continue to be taken and destroyed as are the barricades. Police had to again search the International Woolen Mill as barriers to entry had been broken and compromised. Public Works again secured the Building.

*It was noted that another large encampment of private property was no longer in use but the property owner has not yet removed debris from the location.

Resource Hub:

Statistics from the last two weeks of operations of the Resource Hub are summarized as;

Participating Organizations:

• York County Shelter Programs
• General Assistance
• York County Community Action Corp.
• Nasson Health Center
• Sanford Housing Authority
• PATH
• OPTIONS

Summary:

• Total Unique Individuals: 71
• Total Visits: 96
• Shelter Services Update (6/21/24):
  • 9 individuals to York County Shelter Services
  • Continued work with 1 client on detox services
• Housing Outcomes:
  • 1 individual to permanent housing during resource hub; 2 housed permanently since hub; working on 3 more permanent housing options
  • 9 housed at SHA proper􀀀es through Navigator case conferencing since Feb 2024
  • 5 housed through SHA targeted homeless vouchers

19 Strategies for Homeless Encampments:

The Strategies are being updated as now being complete with the remaining need to address Homelessness before it starts, i.e. prevention. The 19 Strategies, our regional work, was forwarded to the U.S. Interagency Council on Homeless for review. The Interagency Council would like to review with us at a future time as an outstanding example of the work.

Indications are that the Interagency Council is also working on a New set of Actions as Best Practices for post closure of encampments and Strategy 19 Building and Strengthening Safety Nets. It is the Task Force’s intent to continue to work with the Interagency on the development and adoption of the future Actions.

Housing First Updates:

Land Acquisition for the combined parcels off Heritage Drive continues in due diligence. Pre-Application is being scheduled for early July starting the first review of the planned development. Maine State Housing is pending the Request for Proposals to be issued soon for the application of funds. Given that the Project, Housing First, has the land control, developer, operator, and other required elements, the Sanford Housing Authority is likely to be the first of two potential requests for development as early as September of this year.

Next Steps:

The York County Shelter Program continues to work to expand available beds and temporary shelter operations. It is unknown if funding and or a location for a Warming Center will become available for the next winter season.

Given the success with the Resource Hub, it was noted that to continue the momentum Outreach Workers are needed to meet people where they are at and at a time when they are willing to consider services. The City Manager will renew the dialog with the Governor’s Office of Innovation and Maine State Housing to dedicated funding towards Outreach Staff. The last legislative session set forth such funding and we will seek the same.

*A possible funding source to leverage MSH funds in this effort has been located that would aid in necessary equipment.

Legislative Actions and Advocacy:

The coordination of next legislative requests for funding and or changes in law that would aid addressing either homelessness once incurred and also preventing homelessness was discussed. Areas of potential and coordination were identified as;

1. Funding for Shelter Beds, not just Low Barrier Beds, need to be better coordinated across the current Shelters and the Maine Coalition of Homelessness to advocate for multi-year needed funding.
2. Community Outreach Worker funding of positions here within York County to best connect to current and future resources for the unhoused.
3. Coordinate Advocacy again with York County Legislators and communicate the deficiencies noted in past actions compared to current needs.
4. Seek clarifications in the State Attorney General’s Office Homeless Protocols in light of the recent Grants Pass v. Johnson SCOTUS Decision as it applies to laws passed by elected officials to address public interest but not based upon status.
5. Coordinate a common message in future legislative actions across the Maine Municipal Legislative Policy Committee, Maine Mayors Coalition, Maine Homeless Coalition, Shelters, and other applicable Agencies and Towns towards concerted actions to address Homelessness.

The Task Force will reconvene in two weeks on July 15th, 2024.