Homelessness

The City has continued to meet with York County Legislators on the urgent matter of funding to sustain the Adult Emergency Shelter Services of the York County Shelter Program and funding for Shelter operations Sitewide. Legislators for the last two conferences have been;

• Representative Anne-Marie Mastraccio – Sanford
• Representative Michelle Meyer – Eliot – Co-Chair Health and Human Services Committee
• Senator Ingwersen – Biddeford – Co-Chair Health and Human Services Committee

The Legislative Meeting have focused on further information from the November Forum held at the Sanford Performing Arts Center, increasing the understanding of emergency shelter operations and how State funding is connected to operations. The outcome is to support future legislative actions to ensure continue operations of the Emergency Shelter Operations.

The second meeting on 1/6/25 focused on a presentation by Molly Feeney, Executive Director of Home Worthy in Knox County, and Chair of the Statewide Shelter Coalition. Ms. Feeney was able to explain how the various Federal and State allocations for Shelters in Maine are awarded and the resulting revenue of $7.50 per bed-night is the result for emergency shelter operations. Ms. Feeney further provided information on the average cost to provide these Shelter Services is $99.07 per bed-night.

Of the $7.3 million of funds allocated to Maine Shelters, the sources are;

• State General Fund (Unchanged since 2016): $2.5M
• Federal ESG (Minimal to no change historically) $1.3M
• HOME: MSHA (Increased by $1.1 M since 2020): $3.5M
• Total Funding to Shelters across Maine: $7.3 M

Shelter Coalition is seeking Legislative Sponsors for a Bill to increase the State General Fund by $5.0 M to $7.5 M. This would change the bed-night contribution from $7.50/night to $19/night. The Coalition believes this would keep the Shelters operating in the short term until the State can further increase funding in the subsequent year.

Legislators recommended that the Bill be submitted as Open Jacket so that a large contingency of Legislators could sign on as co-sponsors. They believe Speaker Fecteau and the York Delegation would all support as would a vast number of Legislators Statewide.

The Homeless Task Force on 1/6/2025 reviewed the number of persons still believed to be unhoused, the vast majority as surfing or seeking temporary shelter services and have refused further assistance. It was discussed that the Service Providers under the Region 1 HUB should be the primary points of contact for these people that have long term unhoused situations that re the result of their refusal of services. The HUB coordinated Agencies should focus on the outreach for this population.

The Task Force then discuss a revised focus based upon needs and where the population of people most at risk of becoming unhoused are. This shift in focus would more towards;

• Addressing the ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained, Employed) population that have incomes below the ALICE thresholds to prevent homelessness.
• Strengthening the Transitional Elements of Housing Navigation and Coordinated Case Entry and Management
• Addressing Funds for Re-Adaptive Housing Opportunities such as the work of the Sanford Land Bank
• Increase the development of a continuum of Housing Opportunities

The Task Force may now focus it’s work on Ending the Homelessness Before it Starts, a framework developed by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. This is a direct correlation to the 19 Strategies to Address Encampments earlier developed and implemented by the Task Force. Having addressed a large number of unhoused, the refocused work will move towards prevention and placement to prevent the type and number of unhoused from ever accumulating again.

The Sanford Housing Authority is the lead in developing the Strategies and is entering into the data phase. The Task Force will seek to coordinate across multiple providers/agencies and to amplify the efforts through creative financing and advocacy.

The Task Force meets again on January 20th, 2025.

Recent Statistics:

Here are the most up to date stats we have on housing navigation (11 months):

• Housed 30 Households for a total of 66 people
• Of that number 16 Households are from YCSP
• 34 households have either found alternative housing
  • Assisted living
  • Living with family
  • Moved
• Or they had a voucher that expired or they did not get paperwork in on time after up to 180 extension days
• Currently working with 27 households and within a few weeks of housing a family at East Side Acres
• Please note this doesn’t include the people were housed, went to detox and treatment, or went into the shelter, right from the Encampment; that was an additional 78 people.

The Homeless Task Force met again on August 19, 2024 and worked in the following areas:

Community Outreach Worker/s: Maine State Housing released a Notice of Financial Availability (NOFA) on August 16, 2024 under the Long-Term Solutions to Address Homelessness as authorized by the Legislature. York County Shelter Program will be the Applicant to MSHA for the competitive funds. An Application was also made to the Cohen Foundation and the Shelter has received a Letter inviting them to apply for the $50,000 of funding for vehicle and equipment for the Outreach Worker position. Letters of Support will be requested from the partnering Agencies and the City.

Warming Center Funds: A Notice of Financial Availability (NOFA) was also posted on July 19th, deadline August 23rd, for competitive funding applications for Warming Center operations for this coming winter. The York County Shelter Program is applying for the funds to operate either in a yet determined commercial location or more plausibly within their existing facilities in Alfred. The second option will provide for meals, case management, showers and laundry. It is the case management as critical to shorten the length of time of being unhoused critical to permanent housing.

19 Strategies: The Sanford Housing Authority hosted a meeting with Nichele Carver Senior Regional Advisor for the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH). Ms. Carver was most engaged in the regional approach and cooperative work of the varying Agencies and City Staff that had compiled and implemented the 19 Strategies to address encampments and the unhoused. The Director will be providing access to resources such as Federal Continuum of Care Funds (COC) that may assist the Shelter in closing the funding gap of operations. There may also be available Federal Funds towards the Outreach Worker/s as well. The last indication was that the USICH is doing further work on prevention and will provide further guidance and assistance in this area in the near future. By all accounts, it was a very productive meeting especially in potential access for much needed Federal Assistance.

Housing First: The Site Plan development and Property purchases remain on track. Land purchase should be completed by early September as well as a proposed land swap that will better facilitate the placement of the Project Building and associated infrastructure. This will aid to access of loan funds as well as potential Brownfield related funds for infrastructure construction. The 30 proposed units would provide non-barrier managed housing options to chronically unhoused persons who would have difficulties transitioning into a permanent housing solution absent this managed transitional option.

Housing Assistance and Prevention was reviewed. Maine State Housing Authority (MSHA) will make $18 million available as a Pilot Rent Relief Program. MSHA has just released an Request for Proposals to the Community Action Corporations and others for a single point administrator for the Program statewide. The Program and implementation will be monitored so notice on who can and how to apply in the near future.

The Program has been amended from a 24-month to a 12-month Program for people at or below 60% Area Medium Income and have rent within 125% of Area Market Rate. Qualified candidates would be eligible for up to $800/mo assistance. Priorities will be given to rents in arears to prevent evictions and then upon gap funding on monthly rent.

Legislative Actions and Public Education – Advocacy:

There are two major Forums being planned that will address public awareness and education of Housing and Homelessness and what can be and is being done. The first is the City’s now annual Housing Forum.

The Annual Housing Forum is being planned for September 24th, 2024 at 6:00PM in the City Council Chambers. This will provide for a hybrid and multi-cast of the Forum reaching as wide an audience as possible. The public will be invited to attend and participate. Elements under development for the Forum will be as much on education as it will be on reporting out the year’s actions. Areas under consideration are;

• Market Analysis and the information recently received on existing housing stock, opportunities to meet the needs in varying housing stock, rents and trends, housing demographics, and future actions to address these areas.
• Relating the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report and how the inability for working families to meet the high cost of housing is impacting our Region and identifying the focal points to address.
• Our Schools and Student Housing Instability – numbers and trends
• Has LD 2003 (statewide housing density ordinances) made headways on addressing Housings
• Prevent avenues such as Rent Relief Programs, heating and utilities assistance, financial guidance
• Senior Programs to aging in place and other avenues

A Second Forum, after implementing the first last year, will be the Homeless Forum to be held at the Sanford Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on November 13th, 2024 time to be determined. The York County Legislative Group will be activated again this year as town and agency administrators met to establish and set the top priorities around our unhoused populations. The goal is to hold the Forum just after the November 5th, 2024 elections when our State Representatives will then be known and to communicate these top priorities prior to the start of the next Legislative Session and before the cloture date for any newly proposed legislation, even if a concept draft. This is a very tight time frame to meet.

This year’s Forum will focus on the determined top priorities, information of what worked well, or not, over the past year, and the impacts of passed legislation from the last session. Much is anticipated to pivot on the annual needs for critical services being funded ongoing and not just one-time funding. Critical areas such as Shelter Funding, Street Outreach Workers, bed capacities for Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health, and Private Non-Medical Institution beds are all key components to addressing the chronically unhoused populations.

More information on the priorities as identified by the Legislative Working Group will be made available as developed.

The need for a Community Outreach Worker is identified as one of the top priorities needed to assist in making regular contact and with and connecting unhoused people to resources to end their homelessness. The city has communicated the importance and priority to Maine State Housing Authority (MSHA) that will open a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) starting August 16, 2024 and closing on September 30, 2024. Funding under the Long-Term Solutions to Address Homelessness was allocated to MSHA in the last legislative session. The York County Shelter Program will be the Applicant as they have been working on this strategy and recently was awarded funds from the John T. Gorham Foundation to a vehicle and equipment for the position. This Community match will make for a very competitive Application as will the Region’s and City’s prior communications with MSHA for this position. The City and Regional Providers will write letters of support for the Application as a regional effort focused in Sanford.

A second NOFA was issued by MSHA for the 2024-2025 Warming Center Funding that opened July 19 through August 23, 2024. Again, the York County Shelter Program will be the applicant and operator of the Center. Consensus was to support the Application for the establishment of a Warming Center at the Alfred Campus to best serve in sharing of staff, full food services, full facilities, and coordinated case management once upon Campus. Transportation to the Facility will be accommodated by the Police, future Outreach Worker, and York County Transportation on an as needed and scheduled basis. No appropriate location or facility was identified within Sanford to again host a Warming Center.

Further discussion centered on standing up the Memorial Gym for extreme cold weather events as in the past with more pre-planning and especially around staffing during operations.

The 19 Strategies to Address Encampments was again reviewed. Nichele Carver Senior Regional Advisor for the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) will be meeting with the Task Force at the Sanford Housing Authority on August 12, 2024. The USICH notes that Sanford’s adoption and implementation using a wider regional approach is unique and the Agency seeks to better understand our work. The Task Force also seeks continued guidance on Phase 3 Building Long-Term Stability as it relates to the Prevention of Homelessness. We seek any further guidance and best practices that may be offered to assist our address.

Also on August 12, 2024 City Representatives will meet with the Maine Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Maine Access Points around the current Harm Reduction Program or Syringe Exchange Program. The scope of the meeting is to identify a common solution for the CDC’s desire to address Harm Reduction associated with blood born pathogens stemming from injections by providing clean syringes and supplies and the City’s concerns around the Increased Harm and exposure associated with improperly disposed/discarded syringes to the general public. If a common solution can be identified, the City Staff will seek for legislative address and to advocate for a solution that meets harm reduction in both areas. Otherwise, City Staff will advocate for the program to return to a 1:1 syringe exchange program as originally authorized.

Review of current Census indicated that the City and Sanford Housing Authority are tracking 44 People currently known to be chronically unhoused. It was noted that there has been an influx of new people since the closure of the encampment in Biddeford as well as people arriving seeking to be near a Warming Center, if or when established. A review of the Census indicated that each of the individuals have been and continue to be offered services nearly daily. All have refused. It was further identified that the overwhelming majority of these 44 people are either experiencing Substance Use Disorder (SUD) or unaddressed mental health conditions, or a combination. Recognition was granted to the varying reasons of people becoming homeless and the success of addressing these elements over time with the remaining SUD and Mental Health cases being the most difficult to address in both resources as well as acceptance of services by the individuals. This needs to be a focus at the State Advocacy level in the future as well as the general public being aware of this compounding nature and escalation.

The Task Force and Sanford Mental Health Unit, and our Regional Partners, have exhausted all means of Diversion Programming seeking to get treatment to individuals where they are at and when they are receptive. Enforcement is the next means to connect Diversion Programming for these individuals as personal responsibility and decisions to improve their situations are not being exercised. This is a difficult juncture for many people who have not been entrenched in the provision and offering of services only to be rejected by this remaining population. Public awareness is a key component to advocating for more funding and capacities for SUD and Mental Health Beds statewide to close this gap for this unhoused population.

Resource Hub/Outreach June 2024 and ongoing

A review of the 30 Housing First Units to be built by the Sanford Housing Authority off Heritage Drive as made. The Architects are working on amendments to the Site Plan to maximize the use of the two lots to be purchased. The amendments will address environmental constraints as well as zoning in relations to the placement of the building and associated access and parking. An Application is pending for this fall to Maine State Housing Authority to construct the Units. The Housing First model will provide No-Barrier Housing to those who need 24/7 case management to transition back to self-sufficiency and permanent housing. York County Community Action Corp. will provide the case management to be funded through Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Housing Assistance and Prevention was reviewed. Maine State Housing Authority (MSHA) will make $18 million available as a Pilot Rent Relief Program. The details are starting to emerge as MSHA works to identify a single vendor that will administer the statewide award and distribution of funds The Program has been amended from a 24-month to a 12-month Program for people at or below 60% Area Medium Income and have rent within 125% of Area Market Rate. Qualified candidates would be eligible for up to $800/mo assistance. Priorities will be given to rents in arears to prevent evictions and then upon gap financing. City and YCCAC will coordinate to inform the public as the program is more fully developed and publicized by MSHA.

Legislative Actions and Advocacy was also again reviewed. Top priorities for the next Legislative Session will be;

• Support for Outreach Workers such as will be applied for this year through MSHA
• Full Funding for current Low and No Barrier Shelter to ensure continuation
• Funding for Substance Use Disorder Beds – payment for services
• Funding for Mental Health Beds – payment for services
• Amendments to Attorney General’s Homeless Protocols for State

The Task Force will seek to host another Regional Homelessness Summit at the Sanford Performing Arts Center as was conducted last year. This year’s Summit will be held as immediately following the November Elections as possible to inform the incoming Legislators and to allow for legislation or at least concept drafts, placeholders, to be filed prior to the December cloture date, to be determined.

The Task for will meet next on August 19th 2024 at 10:00AM.

Heritage Crossing Encampment Closure:

The Resource Hub provided housing for 20 individuals since enacted and in conjunction with the closure. Daily contact with persons unhoused are made by Housing Staff, Case Managers, and the Mental Health Unit Officers via the Bike Patrol. Resources are offered and encouragement to accept to break the cycle of homelessness.

The Cleanup has been completed.

Public Works Clean Up: June 17, 18, 19 2024

Public Works removed by mechanical means 9-18 cu. yd. trucks totaling 170 cubic yards of trash, waste, and assorted materials associated with the Encampment.

Three (3) 20-gallon medical sharp containers full were removed as well as several 5-gallon buckets partially filled with medical sharps.

Contracted Services by Trauma Services: July 8, 9,10 2024

Handpicked materials remaining from underbrush, around trees, and scattered as trained personnel with personal protective equipment to bag the hazardous materials due to the presence of medical sharps and other contaminates. Contractors bagged 475 60-gallon bags of materials from the Site.

Six (6) 8-gallon containers of medical sharps were physically collected scattered across the ground and intermixed with the waste for a total of 48 gallons of sharps. Public Works further removed 2 18- cu. yd. trucks of steel and other materials during the Contracted Service Period.

Total Collections:

• 206 cubic yards collected mechanically
• 141 cubic yards collected manually by contracted services
  • 347 cubic yards total waste collected and disposed
• Approximately 110 gallons of medical sharps collected separately from solid waste collections
• Estimated Volume of Medical Sharps (syringes)
  • 172.66 cubic inches per box of 100 syringes
  • 110 gal x 231 cubic inches/gal = 25,410 cubic inches
  • 25,410 cubic inches/172.66 cubic inches/100 syringes = 14,716 syringes

Contacts have been made to Maine Access Points and the Maine CDC Hepatitis & Harm Reduction Program Manager to discuss new options on exchange and the improper disposal of syringes causing a public health hazard.

The areas where unhoused people are congregating was reviewed and how best to maintain communications and outreach as well as the impacts to the areas.

Information indicates there are approximately 15 chronically unhoused people that the City is currently working with to identify options that will be accepted.

Connection to Services: Street Outreach

The need for Street Outreach Services continues to be a challenge and area of significant need. Communications to Maine State Housing for potential use of the recently adopted Emergency Housing Relief Funds could be an option. Lauren Bustard, Senior Director of Homeless Initiatives at MSH, indicated that a Notice of Funding Announcement (NOFA) will be published on August 16, 2024 with a deadline of September 30th to apply. York County Shelter Program is the best agency for this application as will be supported by the Task Force. It was also made know that a second NOFA for Winter Warming Shelter Funding will be release July 19, 2024 with a deadline of August 23rd to apply. Options with the York County Shelter Program are still under consideration, but not at the Lafayette School location. Others are being sought.

Housing First – Heritage Crossing Location:

The Sanford Housing Authority and Consultants presented a Pre-Application to the City on July 9, 2024. The Pre-App went very well on the 30-Unit development. The Consultant is working diligently to have submissions for the August Site Plan Meeting and a near subsequent Planning Board Meeting for a Permit.

Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHTC) through Maine Housing will open in September. The Project should be permitted by that time for a very competitive application for a first round of funding.

An RFP for Architects should produce a selection by the July 26. This should pub the Project on track for a spring 2026 ground breaking.

The future release of funds through Maine Housing for rent support of $800/mo. for up to 24 months was reviewed. MSH is working to how they will implement the use of the $18 million in allocation and who will administer/distribute said funds. The Task Force will utilize to aid in preventing homelessness due to economics as details are released. The funds, is used at the full $800/mo. x 24 months would serve not more than 937 households.

Other Resources:

The York County expansion of Lyman’s Way in Alfred for substance use and detox center expansion has achieved full permitting. It is slated to go to construction by October of this year with an approximate 1-year construction period.

York County Region 1 HUB for the coordination of case management continues to implement for all providers to utilize the same form information within the HMIS system for the unhoused.

19 Strategies:

Sanford Housing Director is conferencing with the U.S. Interagency on Homelessness to review our Region’s work on the 19 Strategies and to seek further guidance on best practices following the closure of the encampment as well as preventing homelessness moving forward. The response will be incorporated into the Strategies and an Update will be provided as worked by the Task Force.

Annual Housing Forum:

The Task Force discussed suggested change to this year’s annual forum on Housing as being briefer on updates of actions taken to allow time to focus on the voids and future needs. This will better inform advocacy and legislation across State and Federal Resources to address the continuum of housing needs in Sanford. This format will be request to the City Council.

It was further suggested that the Housing Forum also provide a precursor to another Homeless Forum at the Performing Arts Center in Sanford with the York County State Legislators.

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.

The following Report focuses on actions taken around addressing the Heritage Crossing Encampment and all unhoused people within Sanford. The Heritage Crossing Encampment has been a focal point for well over a year. The Community Partners have coordinated under the 19 Strategies to Address Encampments Humanely and Effectively as established by the United States Interagency council on Homelessness. The City and Partners were able reach the capacity to implement in May of this year. The City Council adopted the 19 Strategies as Policy to address Homelessness, especially encampments. The Encampment was located on property formerly owned by Regco, Inc., a legacy of the past mill industries, leaving behind land and buildings in disarray that have been determined by the City Council to be Dangerous and Hazardous, and has had court actions taken upon said owner to abate; although all such actions have been unanswered. The Site is a Brownfield Site in need of remediation. Maine Department of Environmental Protection has inspected and notes the pollution needing to be addressed. The Encampment grew in numbers and disarray over the past two years in which the Regco Inc., refused all communications form the City and would not grant permission to enter or address. Those inactions resulted in an Encampment of deplorable and unsafe conditions not fit for human occupation. Last fall, people within the Encampment were directed to the Warming Center operated at the Lafayette School by the York County Shelter Program. People were served throughout the winter until the Center closed on May 1, 2024. Just at closure, 25 of the 42 served took services did not return to the Encampment. Others refused services and did return to the Encampment, which was recognized as a dangerous and hazardous site, an unfit location for human habitation, and a public and safety site of concern. Notification was consistently made at the Warming Center that the Encampment would be subject to a future enclosure due to these conditions, especially prior to the closure of the Warming Center. The Property of the Encampment became Tax Acquired on April 4, 2024. Notice continued to be provided by the resource workers and Police Officers making regular contacts and offering resources and services. On May 20, 2024 the Police Department’s Mental Health Unit Officers began a daily bike patrol to increase contact and awareness with those in the Encampment. Notice of the pending closure for June 17th due to public health and safety were made daily as well as the offer of resources and services. People began to transition out of the Encampment.

On June 17th, the City approached the Encampment to start the removal of trash, debris, and bulky materials as a first step towards the closure.

Summary: Police, Fire, and Public Works crews arrived at 7:00AM to start clearing trash and bulky waste items as possible. Public Works provided two loaders, two skid steers, mini-excavator, and two 18-yd dump trucks. Heritage Crossing was closed and secured due to the construction equipment. The Mental Health Officers accompanied City Staff to walk through the Encampment for assessment and planning. MHU and City Manager talk with and noted 10 individuals left in the Encampment as of June 17th, all well known to the MHU as regular contacts had been ongoing with a refusal of services. Each individual was engaged for a plan provided the Resource Guide, directed to the Resource Hub, and to plan to clear from the Encampment. A veteran in an RV received a voucher and is moving to housing. Four individuals called for and received pick up of belongings and rides to private property. One person was transported to a private property with all belongings. Four individuals utilized the secure storage for items at the Police Department for later access as needed. Only 2 refused all services and left. The Property was left secured by the road closure as Public Works returned on June 18th to continue removal of bulky waste items that could be removed mechanically. At this juncture, the City will engage Trauma Services, a biohazard Remediation Company, to utilized trained and equipment employees to complete the bagging of biohazard materials, hazardous materials and containers, human waste, and other small solid waste materials. Public Works will continue to load, haul, and appropriate dispose of the solid waste and bulky materials with Trauma Services disposing of the biohazard and hazardous materials.

Removal of Waste: Public Works loaded 9, 18-yd trucks rounded for an estimate of over 170 cubic yards. Sixty-five propane tanks were also removed. There were three 20-gallon medical sharps containers full of needles as well as multiple 5-gallon buckets of medical sharps as well. This does not account for the mass remaining on the grounds within the encampment.

Resource Hub: The Service Providers of;

• City General Assistances
• Sanford Housing Authority
• York County Community Action Corporation
• Region 1 Homeless Hub

Resource Hub has been put into action over the past two years. The Resource Hub was operational staring June 10, Monday – Friday from 10AM to 3PM and this week 1-3PM. People were served as follows;

• Total of 78 Visits
• 51 unique people come to the hub as of 6/17/24
• 6 people entered into York County Shelter program
• 1 person went to Milestone
• 1 Veteran to permanent housing
• 9 people (unhoused) placed in permanent housing with Sanford Housing Properties before the HUB through case conferencing of the navigators from February to today
• 5 people placed into housing with Sanford Housing Authority using vouchers reserved for homeless individuals
• 22 People housed pursuant to these recent actions

The Homeless Task Force will meet with all Community Partners again on July 1st to continue actions addressing Homelessness in Sanford and the Region. Recognition: The City owes recognition to all the Community Partners

• YCCAC: York County Community Acton Corporation.
• YCSP: York County Shelter Programs
• SHA: Sanford Housing Authority
• MHU: Mental Health Unit of the Sanford Police Department
• CE: Coordinated Entry
• GOPIF: Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future
• PATH: Project for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness
• OPTIONS: Overdose Prevention through Intensive Outreach Naloxone and Safety
• MAP: Maine Access Points – harm reduction programming
• SPD: Sanford Police Department
• HMIS: Homeless Management Information System
• SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
• WIC: Women, Infant and Children Nutrition Program
• ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed City of Sanford General Assistance Program

The Task Force met again on June 3, 2024 focused on latest actions and the growing concerns around encampments and the ability to address. Providing Partners of York County Community Action, Sanford Housing Authority, York County Shelter Program, and City Administration coordinated across the following areas:

The Warming Center at Lafayette School has closed for the season yet continues to provide meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It was noted that utilization is anticipated to increase now that the facility is not both a warming center and meals, but now meals only.

The Draft of the City’s 19 Strategies for Communities to Address Encampments Humanely and Effectively per the U.S. Interagency on Homelessness was reviewed. The Partners noted that nearly all Strategies had either been completed, were significantly in progress, or were soon to be implemented due to the coordination across the Partners seeking to address the unhoused in the encampments. The 19 Strategies will be before the City Council on June 4, 2024 to be adopted with or without amendments to govern the address of encampments in Sanford.

Heritage Crossing Encampment was noted to have been growing in numbers with people coming from undisclosed areas as the Case Managers no longer recognize this new population. Communications for services continue as well as that the encampment will be closing as of June 15, 2024 due to the environmental, health and safety concerns current expressed.

A Resource Hub will be placed at the Heritage Crossing Site on or before June 11 through June 14, 2024 to provide the greatest opportunity for Case Management and opening to services as needed by those at the Site. The Resource Hub has served well in the past and is therefore being repeated. The Resource Hub will have Staff for Coordinated Case Management, Housing Navigation, Shelter Program, and Nasson Health Care to offer and coordinate services to meet individuals needs. Currently, there is capacity to meet the anticipated needs for rehabilitative and shelter services provided individuals will accept the offer of services.

People taking services will be provided resource containers for their personal paper work as well as a Storage Container is to be rented for larger personal belongings as may be needed.

City has been working with the State to request funding for a Street Outreach Worker to aid in maintaining contacts with the unhoused and to best coordinate the taking of services to reduce the length of time of being unhoused.

City is obtaining quotes for storage container and clean up services post closure.

Other notes; Maine DEP Water Quality Resources and Solid Waste have received complaints about the encampment adjacent to the Mousam River off Heritage Crossing and have put the City on notice that they will be onsite June 12th to access the Site and likely provide notice to correct.

The Police Department has also received communications from another Land Owner of an encampment that is to be closed. All the same services are to be offered to individuals within that encampment as well. The time for closure is to be determined.

The City continues to work with the Regional Service Providers to address the unhoused population. Currently capacity of services for alcohol, substance use disorder, mental health, and shelter services are identified and coordinated to address individual needs. Willingness to accept services continues to be an impediment.

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.

An Administration Meeting was held to both report out and further defined scope of work to address the unhoused population in Sanford.

Recent Actions:

The Warming Center at the Lafayette School closed on Wednesday, May 1st. There was a maximum of 44 persons utilizing the Center. York County Shelter Program was able to place 25 individuals into shelter and permanent housing prior to closure. It is noted that the people that were placed did not/would not take services offered until the Center was at the point of closing for he season. The remaining people did not take services offered.

The Center served 197 unique clients over the past winter. Lafayette will continue to be a meals center through this summer with meals served Tuesdays and Thursdays.

It is a question if the location, Lafayette School, will be utilized for next year. Funding is not yet identified and there were a number of deficiencies with the Facility to running more than a temporary Warming Center.

The Housing Navigator Staff from the Housing Authority, Shelter, and YCCAC are now well coordinated in providing case management and the cross sharing of resources. The combined case management is finding multiple solutions for the unhoused population.

Advocacy and Funding:

A review of the outcomes from the last Legislative Session was made. The summary finds that the December 2023 advocacy for increased Shelter funding, non-low barrier, seemingly did not prove productive. Instead, one will see a multitude of funding went into the Maine Housing Authority to be competitively distributed to a number of entities providing housing and shelter services as follows;

• $13.5 million appropriation to the Emergency Housing Relief Fund to “supplement or establish programs addressing the needs of people experiencing homelessness or facing other immediate housing needs and support other uses that address housing emergencies in the State, such as through winter warming shelters, legal services and other wraparound settlement supports intended to help individuals integrate into Maine’s workforce and communities.” (Committee Amendment “A” to LD 2214.);
• $2.5 million for low barrier shelters spanning fiscal years 2024-25 and 2026-27;
• $6 million to support services for victims of crime, particularly domestic violence victims (“The State funding will support community -based domestic violence and sexual assault services, civil legal representation for victims, government-based victim witness advocates, and housing and supportive services for elder abuse victims.” (Governor’s statement on the Supplemental Budget.))
• $10 million for new housing units through Maine Housing’s Affordable Housing Program (one time);
• $20 million for Maine Housing’s Affordable Rural Rental Housing Development Program and to use as a match to draw federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits to Maine (one time);
• $2 million to support services for homeless elementary and secondary students (one time);
• $18 million to fund a pilot rental assistance program, to support low income renters facing eviction.

General Assistance:

It was noted that the required supplemental budget funding for LD 1664 to bring State reimbursement for qualified General Assistance costs from 70% to 90% failed, unless revived during one of the now two planned Veto Days within the Legislature. The Bill carried a fiscal note of $8.0 M and it is estimated that the Legislature as committed all available resources short of $6.5 M still outstanding.

Community Policing:

The Police Department will start both bike and pedestrian Officers throughout the City starting May 20, 2024 in an effort to address conflicts within the public areas. If encountering a person who identifies as homeless, the Officers will work to establish a trust relation with people, offer available resources, and ultimately seek to coordinate services to end their current homeless state. This is the work formerly fully occupied by the Mental Health Unit within the Police Dept. but who have been directed back to addressing mental health responses throughout the City. Building trust and offering services overtime has proven the most effective means of influencing a positive change for a majority of people currently unhoused.

Heritage Crossing Encampment:

The was a population that utilized both the Warming Center and the Encampment area over this past fall and winter. Those who utilized the Warming Center ultimately have not returned to the Encampment. There is an estimated population of 10 or fewer people still using the site. Housing Navigators and Case Management services have been directly on site to put coordinated case management around the individuals. Those remaining have not taken available services.

The City will provide notification to the remaining population that the Encampment will be closed down by June 30th, 2024 in an effort to further entice people to take available services. The City finds the Site to be;

• A Public Health Hazard due to waste that is now entering the Mousam River
• A Public Safety Hazard as the Police respond to multiple calls to the location
• Coordinated Case Management and Services have been extended
• The Site is currently under development consideration for a Housing First Development of 30+ Units as well as a Resource Center.

The City will continue to work with multiple providers to individually identify services to address the unhoused situation of the people reaming and prior to June 15.

A review of the Legislative Process and potential funding mechanism to address our unhoused populations was made with the following key areas being watched;

Governor's Supplemental Budget includes financial support for the GA System;

• Includes language to limit the use of hotels as emergency housing and as an offset proposes $16 M in additional housing assistance the Maine State Housing
• DHHS indicates the current levels of continued allowance of maximum overages will cost an additional $20 M if continued
• Added $5.0 M more to this year's Budget to meet the State's matching needs
• Current Maximum Levels are insufficient

Bills still being processed:

LD 1664, An Act to Increase Reimbursement Under the General Assistance Program would increase state reimbursement for the direct aid provided under the GA program from 70% to 90%.

Fiscal Note $8.5M above current levels

If removed as Emergency - starts in October - reduces to $6.4 M

LD 1540, Resolve, to Establish an Eviction Pilot Program which was voted out of the Housing Committee, The purpose of the program is to provide persons earning up to 60% of the median income for an area as defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development with $300 per month in rental assistance paid directly to the landlord for up to 24 months or until those persons secure housing by means of a housing voucher program administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development under the United States Housing Act of 1937, Public Law 75-412, 50 Stat. 20 888, Section 8, as amended, or secure a subsidized housing unit

Fiscal Impact Statement - $15.0 M FY 23-24 and FY 24-25 each

LD 2136 Funding for Shelters $10 M – Committee OTP-AM - Appropriations

No further Action to Report

Lafayette Warming Shelter:

The Center is slated to close May 1, 2024 for over night stays as a Warming Center. The Center will remain open for meals and to provide a point of contact for case management and entry.

Occupants are being put on notice of the pending closure and strongly encourage to work with available Housing Navigators for placement. HUD Vouchers are available and the Housing Authority is working with St. Ignatius for up to 16 units of housing and voucher use.

The Recovery Center on the second floor of Lafayette should be open soon to aid people in drug and alcohol recovery and further provide a point of contact for case management.

It was noted that the severe lack of mental health clinics and access is the leading impediment towards people taking services and achieving placement. Advocacy and awareness with the State is further needed. It was suggested that we look at activating the York County Advocacy Group to work with Legislators prior to the next Session on the topics of unhoused and mental health services.

There is strong coordination of the Housing Navigators from Sanford Housing Authority, York County Shelter Program, and York County Community Action Corp all contributing staff hours and combining their knowledge and resources towards housing. Placements are being made, yet given the available resources it is difficult for the Navigators to keep pace.

Encampment at Heritage Crossing:

The condition of the encampment and the movement of people between this location and the Lafayette Warming Center was the focal point of the meeting. It was noted that a number of people are moving between the Encampment and Center during the day. The population of the Encamp has changed and conditions are deteriating rapidly.

Trash is a prime issue. The former funds used to pay for weekly rubbish collection is no longer available for that purpose. The City Manager indicated he would develop a plan for Public

Works to provide a container for removal provided the occupants would place and City would monitor for wrongful placement. Maine Access Points will assist in coordinating with the Encampment occupants.

The Encampment needs to be cleaned and the occupants will be cleared at a future point. Case Managers and Navigators are assessing the people who will take services and will provide feedback on what the time for closure should be to aid the greatest number of people. This can be a working plan provided the City can demonstrate reasonable progress towards cleaning and clearing the site and that the Encampment is not viewed as or used as a long term and continuing place of occupation.

The HUB Region 1 was discussed as per progress made in comparison to the other HUBs within the State. Recognition was made of the importance of the HUB in coordinating case management of our populations and connecting State and Local resources towards addressing housing. This address also must include mental health and substance abuse. It was expressed that the HUB is now making reasonable progress towards fully implementing.