York County Shelter Programs - Update from YCSP Board of Directors

The following update was shared with the City from the York County Shelter Programs Board of Directors. The City will continue to share updates provided by the York County Shelter Programs using this page.

Last week, York County Shelter Programs (YCSP) announced that due to significant and growing financial limitations, it laid off twenty (20) employees and was facing the likely need to suspend operations for at least some of the programs they provide for those facing home insecurity in York County.

On May 9, 2025, the YCSP Board of Directors moved to suspend operations of their emergency adult shelter on the Shaker Hill Campus in Alfred. Through the work of YCSP staff, in partnership with other service agencies, each of the thirty seven (37) clients has a plan in place for housing. While 11 clients were able to find housing through YCSP’s affordable housing program, some of the plans of others offer only temporary solutions, and clients have been provided with contact information for additional resources.

The Family Shelter will continue to operate until alternative housing is confirmed for all sixteen (16) current residents, or until another organization can take over operations.

The affordable housing program will continue. YCSP owns and manages 24 separate properties with 117 apartment units throughout York County. These apartments and the operations required to administer the housing program will remain. Maine Housing has provided the necessary technical assistance to ensure this program remains operational.

The food services program, including the community meals program which delivers homemade meals each week, and the Shaker Hill Campus food services and bakery has suspend operations effective Monday, May 12, 2025.

The food pantry, located at the former sheriff’s building in Alfred, will continue for now, thanks to the generous allocation of funding by the York County Commissioners. This program provides services to 6,000 York County residents each month.

Layman Way Recovery Center, a seventeen (17) bed treatment facility, will continue operations until June 30, 2025. This has been a long scheduled closing date in coordination with the building of a new recovery center that will be operated by the county. Layman Way continues to serve 9 clients, but will not be accepting new clients.

Books ReVisited, a gently used book store located in Sanford, which is operated by dedicated volunteers and whose proceeds are used to support clients of YCSP, will continue operations at this time.

YCSP will retain twenty three (23) staff to maintain the services that will remain, but roughly thirty (30), per diem, part-time and full-time staff have been laid off effective, May 9, 2025.

YCSP has been provided wise counsel and assistance from many, including but not limited to Maine Housing, the Office of the Governor, York County Community Action Corporation, Preble Street, Caring Unlimited, Seeds of Hope, Sanford Housing, Sanford City Manager, as well as members of the York County Task Force on Homelessness and the elected officials that represent the citizens of York County. The YCSP Board of Directors will continue to work diligently to determine the future of the organization and of the programs that serve York County. They remain committed to being a part of the ongoing effort to create a coordinated, sustainable and robust network of services that will provide the resources and programs needed by the vulnerable in our communities.