Homeless Taskforce Update #14 (05/21)

The Administrative Group met again on Monday, May 20, 2024 to continue coordinated response around unhoused people in Sanford and within the Region.

Representation:

• Sanford Police Department
• Sanford Housing Authority
• York County Shelter Program
• York County community Action
• City Administration

Work was focused on the seasonal change of unhoused since the closure of the Warming Center at Lafayette and the reoccurring pattern that occurs given spring/summer weather conditions. It was noted that more people are now visible and moving outside into encampments.

The Sanford Police Department started on May 20 a two-officer bike and pedestrian patrol focused on the Downtown, Parks, and other Properties to interact with people identifying as unhoused. Sargent Adams of the MHU will oversee. The purpose is to continue the work of the Mental Health Unit by providing a regular trusted connection from the Officers extending information about resources and building trust to connect to the resources. The Officers will function as Street Outreach Officers, in the absence thereof, and connect to the Coordinated Entry and Case Management.

The Heritage Crossing Encampment has started to expand in size and number of unhoused. Coordinated Entry, Case Management, and Housing Navigation have all been extended to the individuals currently occupying this unhealthy and unsafe environment. Placements have been limited to those individuals who are willing to take services to date. As the City will address the Encampment by June 15th, 2024, people have been put on Notice of the impending closure.

The partnering Service Providers and City recognized the need to document the standards under which the future actions at the Encampment will be based. Recognition was granted that the Partners are adhering to the Federally established Standards; 19 Strategies for Communities to Address Encampments Humanely and Effectively, published by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.

The Director of the Sanford Housing Authority documented all of the pre-existing actions taken to date with but two exceptions remaining to address. Within the next two weeks the Action Plan meeting the compliance with this Federal Standard will be ready to adopt and complete its implementation. The City Council should consider review and adoption of the Action Plan for the June 4th, 2024 meeting.

It was noted the concerted coordination now taking place around Coordinated Entry and Case Management, Housing Navigation across multiple Agencies, Food Services, Apartment Resources, and Shelter Services. This coordination is producing significant results, saving time and resources, and makes the best uses of existing resources as encompassed by the partnering Service Providers and City.

The City Manager engaged in a forum with representatives from Maine State Housing, Dan Brennan Director, and Greg Payne of the Office of Innovation. The Group conferences around the new areas of funding awarded to the Maine Sate Housing (MSH) and how it might best address Sanford unhoused population’s needs. Funds for the current Shelter System is a must but was not awarded by the Legislature necessitating creative means to cover the $1.0 million shortfall as current. Funding for Street Outreach Workers to best aid in the connectivity for Case Management and Housing Navigation is also essential. This would take the pressure off the MHU and other Police Officers functioning as the primary point of connection and intermediaries.

The City is further working for a Cooperative Agreement with the York County Shelter Program for Emergency Shelter Space that would qualify under General Assistance as a reduced cost to current yet provide the necessary ancillary service of meals and Case Management. That Agreement will be forth coming for Council consideration.