What is Home for Good?

Home for Good is a proposed permanent supportive housing facility that would be located at 7 Mousam Street and would specifically serve individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, generally defined as being consistently unhoused for 12 months or more. The individuals who would be served are already part of our community and are among the people who currently remain unhoused.

The facility will operate under the evidence-based Housing First model, which recognizes that stable housing provides a foundation for addressing other challenges and building long-term stability. Rather than requiring residents to first overcome substance use, mental health, or other barriers, the model pairs permanent housing with supportive services, giving residents a safe and stable place from which to access resources and work toward greater independence.

Sanford has made significant progress connecting people experiencing homelessness, or those at risk of becoming homeless, with housing and supportive services through Coordinated Entry and Housing Navigation. To date this process has assisted 263 individuals with permanent housing. While these efforts have helped many people find housing, there remains a small population who have been unable to successfully transition into or maintain traditional housing. People experiencing chronic homelessness often face more persistent and complex barriers, making a different approach necessary. Home for Good is intended to fill that gap by providing a housing model that better meets the needs of this population.

What Will Living at Home for Good Look Like for Tenants?

Home for Good will operate as permanent residential housing. Tenants will sign a lease, pay up to 30% of their income toward rent, and be expected to follow the terms of their lease, as well as the rules and expectations of the property.

The facility will be staffed 24/7 with on-site support for residents, including clinical services, social workers, behavioral health services, and substance use services. Around-the-clock staffing provides residents with consistent access to resources, allows staff to build relationships with tenants, and ensures support is available when a crisis or other immediate need arises.

Tenants will also go through a screening process as part of the housing application and eligibility determination. Conducted in coordination with the Sanford Housing Authority, this process will include background screening and a review of eligibility requirements. Certain factors, including placement on the sex offender registry, a history of violence, or certain felony convictions, would make an individual ineligible.

What Does the Research Show?

For someone experiencing chronic homelessness, meeting basic needs can consume much of their time and energy. When necessities such as food, warmth, sleep, and personal safety are uncertain, it can be difficult to focus on longer-term goals such as employment, education, treatment, or recovery.

Research on permanent supportive housing and the Housing First model shows that combining stable housing with access to supportive services can improve housing stability and create better conditions for individuals to address other challenges.

Housing First programs have demonstrated a strong housing-retention outcome, with many programs reporting 80 - 90% housing retention after five years. This is particularly important for individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness and struggled to maintain housing through traditional approaches.

How this Fits into the Long-Term Homelessness Efforts

Home for Good is part of the City's broader strategy for addressing chronic homelessness and was identified as one of the City's 19 Local Strategies to Address Closing the Encampments.

York County has historically faced significant barriers to substance use treatment, including limited detox and residential treatment capacity and access challenges for uninsured individuals. The proposed Home for Good facility will also complement the York County Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Center, which is nearing completion on Layman's Way in Alfred.

Together, these facilities can provide a connected pathway of support for individuals who need both stable housing and substance use treatment. An individual may first enter Home for Good, where their basic needs for safety, shelter, food, and stability are met while they have access to supportive services. When inpatient treatment is appropriate, they can transition to the York County Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Center in Alfred for more intensive recovery services, including detox, individualized treatment plans, and 24/7 specialized recovery support.

Following treatment, the continuum of care continues through ongoing housing and support services, with individuals working toward long-term stability with assistance from the Recovery Center, the Sanford Housing Authority, and other community partners. By connecting housing, treatment, and ongoing support, these resources can help address some of the service gaps currently facing individuals experiencing chronic homelessness in Sanford. These efforts benefit the entire community by connecting individuals with stable housing and services while helping reduce the broader challenges associated with long-term homelessness.