Homelessness

The Task Force met again on March 4, 2024 to continue the multi-agency response to address the unhoused population in Sanford and the surrounding Region.

Task Force Representation was present from the Sanford Police and Mental Health Unit, Maine 211, Southern Maine Health Care, Maine Access Points, Caring Unlimited, United Way of Southern Maine, York County Transportation, York County Community Action, Sanford Housing Authority, and York County Shelter Program. City was represented by Mayor Brink, Manager Buck, Deputy Chief Small, Sgt. Colleen Adams, and Communications Director Wilson.

Legislative Advocacy for Funding to address Homelessness was reviewed. Exerts Below, Carter Friend, YCCAC.

LD 2136 – Shelter Funding. As you may recall, at the workshop on this bill the Housing Committee merged the bill with a companion bill (LD 2138 which called for additional funding specifically for low barrier shelters). The amended bill calls for $12 million for shelter support, with at least $2 million of that targeted to low barrier shelters. The Committee also amended the bill to include the creation of a Legislative Study Group and voted it out of committee Ought to Pass as Amended.

Housing Committee has directed the Statewide Homeless Council to submit a 10-year Plan.

Emergency Housing Relief Fund. The Governor’s Supplemental Budget includes $16 million for the Housing Relief Fund, to “ensure that winter warming shelters, lower barrier shelters, longer term shelters and transitional housing programs can remain open, operating, and supporting the emergency housing needs of Maine people.” At the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee hearing, there was support for this funding.

There are two concerns about the proposal. First, the language focuses on shelters and transitional housing programs, not more broadly on other programs as it has in the past. This may limit its use and not make it available for many of the programs such as landlord engagement, housing navigation and homeless outreach that we have found to be effective in York County. We would like to get clarification on this to ensure these services are included. Second, there is some concern that the Committee will fund the Governor’s request and consider that sufficient for shelters, and not fund LD 2136. Both Maine Equal Justice and Preble Street made clear that they should fund the Governor’s request and fully fund LD 2136 as well, but very few speakers at the hearing made that point clearly. Targeting the Relief Fund in this manner would also mean the it would not be available for other programs.

State General Assistance Law and reimbursement is primarily being tracked through LD 1664 to increase State reimbursement to municipalities from 70% to 90%, fiscal note of $8.0 M to fund. Legislative feedback indicates a more likely outcome would be for the municipalities to go from 70% to 80% for the ensuing fiscal year. It was noted that due to increased demand, the State supplemental Budget carries and additional $5.0 million to make the 70% reimbursement level in this current fiscal year.

Lafayette Warming Shelter continues to be full at 44 overnight Charis with an additional 35+ additional people per day visiting only for meals above those using the warming center overnight. The warming center will close on May 1st of this year and occupants are being advised of the timing. The warming center continue to provide a primary point of contact for case management and referrals to services. Lafayette will also continue to provide meals throughout the year after closing the overnight warming services.

Interviews and Staffing for the Peer Support Center at Lafayette are taking place this week. The Peer Support Center will operate year round and not close on May 1st for warming services.

Coordinated Entry and Case Management is ongoing with York County Community Action, Sanford Housing Authority, and York County Shelter Program around the use of their Housing Navigators, housing resources, housing vouchers, and for medical and other resource connections. Coordinated Assessments and creating Housing Stability Plans per person are ongoing. The more rapid implementation of Select Housing Vouchers from the Shelter Program is being accomplished by the Sanford Housing Authority being able to do Quality Assurance Inspections same day so as to not miss any opportunity to house any person timely.

Sanford Housing Authority has placed 78 unhoused people in the past 12 months. In the last 30 days, Caring Unlimited has placed 6 persons into stable housing, and Sanford Housing Authority has placed 7 people. The Shelter has taken 2 additional people and currently has capacity to take others, if and when others will accept the services.

The Coordinated Entry and Case Management is finding success by not focusing on the culture of scarcity and continuing to identify options for stable housing placement. Building the continuum of housing is key to open up the availability of housing needed at all levels.

York County Shelter Program (YCSP) indicates communications are ongoing with the Governor’s Office for the allocation of resources for additional staff and a van to continue to work remotely in the locations where unhoused people are present, and most comfortable, to offer and have services received. YCSP previously had administered this type of program called Operation Sundown. There are funds for this type of work in the Governor’s Supplemental Budget.

Outdoor encampments were reviewed and deemed that a stable housing plan should be the primary objective over intermittent address of the encampment areas. The large encampment off Heritage Drive was discussed as the property will likely become tax acquired to the City by March 28, 2024. Housing Navigators will make contact this week with any/all people still there and emphasize the need to work with them on a housing stability plan as there is current capacities to house them.

Several Providers noted that the spring time change typically invokes a stress response in people having seasonal or other depression and that they anticipate heightened calls for service at this time.

The State’s recent emphasis for more mental health intake sites across Maine was discussed as very favorable, although the newly proposed sites and capacities as well outside of reach for our Region. Emphasis to continue to advocate for increased capacities for mental health services as a leading factor in homeless populations as observed in our Region.

Mickey Williams – Maine 211 Coordinator address the Task Force for the first time. Her focus for 211 is to ensure that their data base and resulting responses are specifically tailored to the York County Region and our local needs. 211 took over 70,000 calls statewide last year with 7,000 of those calls originating in York County. The majority of calls were for heating assistance or housing. 211 has established cooperative services with Maine State Emergency Management as well as the same for York County. They have 24/hr multi-lingual capabilities to best direct people to the resources that are needed.

Key Initiatives were to;

• Connect to the Region 1 HUB for York County to direct to the appropriate resources such as for case management and housing navigation, not yet established
• Identify natural disaster resources during major storm events or flooding
• Materials and data base resources to providers as well as callers

Recent Placements:

• Caring Unlimited 7 housed last 30 days
• Sanford Housing 6 housed last 30 days
• Housed 85 new people in the last year
• Two people into the YCSP

Sanford Housing Authority reported;

• 60 dedicated Project Based Vouchers Available for persons currently in need
• HUD Awarded 5 additional dedicated HCVs
• If moved to Project Based Housing, the Vouchers are freed for a future additional placement
• YCSP has an additional 12 Vouchers of capacity

The Task Force focuses on the following Action Items:

1. Follow Up December 11th Homeless Forum

Meeting information was sent to all York County State Legislators post meeting. A further data sheet is being compromised for distribution of the data for unhoused, City and School as well as impacts to General Assistance.

The Administrators from the 7 Communities participating as well as the Service Agencies are convening a meeting to follow current State Bills carried over as well as Legislative Resolves pending in the Short Session that supports the Goals set forth at the Forum.

There was concurrence that the coordination and cooperation of the participating Towns and Agencies as well received by the State Legislators and will provide meaningful clout in supporting future legislative actions. Sanford Housing Authority indicated it would use the supplied data to aid in the pending Housing First Application to Maine State Housing as being more specific than data within the HMIS* System. (*HMIS stands for Homeless Management Information System – client level data on housing and case management used for coordinated entry)

2. Optimize use of Shelter Beds, Warming Centers

Lafayette School Coordination & Use- There was no representative of YCSP to provide utilization rates or feedback on start up December 1. It was noted that unhoused are reluctant to utilize for overnight shelter, more so for food services. It will take trust to gain more use. Personal passions are a concern for users and lockers are being sought to resolve.

The Resource Hub is not yet operational for peer support and referral services.

3. Management of Dispersed Encampments

• Are there any positive gains with How the Encampments are being managed? It was noted that the Heritage Drive Encampment is a “non-bricks n mortar” type of Housing First, where there is continued case management and services provided. The City does not have the ability to sustain even this model long term.
• Trash Collection is unsightly - there was a week, Holiday, where trash was not picked up causing a large and unsightly pile. MHU doubled upon on collections and will work to keep the bags out of sight between collection dates
• Showers– YMCA indicates their facilities are still open if transported, fees paid, and supervision accompanies.
  • City Facilities has provided a list of necessary repairs to re-open the Memorial Gym Locker Room for use if so determined.
• Laundry Facilities - No avenue has been identified other than replacement of clothing and discard the unwashed.

4. Case Management by Service Providers

MHU started in response to mental health related calls and recidivism but then rapidly transitioned to the volume of homelessness, precluding from their original mission. MHU is trying to get back to mental health calls and NOT just Homeless

• Can't take and coordinate donations of cash and food, and clothes
  • Will coordinate through the identified Agencies for these donations and educate the public
• Food donations should be taken to YCSP Food Bank on Route 4
• Paper Work - Case Management - Vouchers and others
  • Sanford Housing has hired a Navigator
  • YCCAC has case managers and navigators and need to coordinate with MHU
  • Coordinated Entry using HMIS - Abigail at YCCAC is working on this coordination
    • Releases from various Agencies are still needed as only HMIS* Agencies can current see/share this information
    • Countywide conference to discuss how to share the information
    • Start with the "Sanford" Home Team as the model for all of York County
• Establish a Projects Leads Person for Public Health Professional to this Region
• List for Donations and how/where people can make these donations
  • Shelter has a specifics needs list
• Establish a Resource HUB and have them work directly with the Homeless Population
  • Establish a Team of the Service Providers
  • Housing Vouchers - send people to SHA and YCCAC
• Application to Unite Way for funding for Home Teams
• Dialog around a Dept. of Health Officer for the City or Contract Services
  • How to Fund and What is the Rate of Return around this position
  • Directing Calls to 211 based upon shear volume
    • Contact Director of 211 to ensure that information is updated and brief the Group on their Role
• Establish a Run Card within Dispatch to service these calls

Next Actions for City Administration:

1. Internal Review of Type/Number of Staff Position/s to fill the void in services or to better coordinate across Agencies and City Departments.
2. Job Description (and organizational structure) for Public Health Officer – an Executive Position
3. Job Description for Peer Support Specialist – works directly in the filed with Homeless Populations and facilitates connections to resources and services.
4. Examine a York County Service Map of Providers for best use, coordination, and voids
5. Support the York County Resource Hub to start focused on Sanford and its coordinated partners and using the HMIS System.

Mental Health Report:

• 214 Known Unhoused
• 55 Known to be outside
• Use of Warming Shelter is low and barriers are to be addressed

Due to the two next bi-weekly meeting dates falling on Holidays, the Task force will next meet on January 22, 2023

December 11 at 7:00 PM there will be a Homelessness Summit for York County legislators. The sobering statistics will be presented to advocate with State legislators so that when they go back to Augusta they can make informed decisions.

The next day, ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) report will be presented to legislators. There is a rising number of people who are unhoused because of economics, including the elderly.

The warming center has opened at Lafayette School. Three meals a day are being offered there. A resource hub is also being staffed. The access is through the rear of the building. Counseling services, recovery services and more will be offered there.

Five other organizations have stepped up so there are now meals being offered in the community seven days a week.

Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) program – working on a coordinated entry point county-wide.

YCCAC now has a housing navigator who can work in collaboration with the Mental Health Unit at the Police Department.

In two weeks, the Task Force will have a debrief on the Homelessness Summit; discuss winter encampments; discuss Lafayette School warming center; and look at reasons for rise in homelessness.

Discussion on use of Memorial Gym facilities took place. Repair work would need to be done to the lower locker room, and it would need to be cleared of materials. If showering is being done, laundry may need to be considered as well.

The Homeless Task Force Meeting #8 was held on November 20, 2023.

A Save the Date for the Homelessness in York County Summit has been sent to all York County Managers to extend to their respective elected officials and administrative staff working around homelessness. York County Community Action Corp (YCCAC) is sending to all State Legislators to save the date.

The Mental Health Unit (MHU) of the Sanford Police Department reported;

• 199 Unique Contacts with Persons living outside
• 150 People documented as living outside/unhoused and or in an automobile
  • Seeing an average of 2 additional people per week
  • NOT seeing the historical decrease living outside that typically find cooperative shelter or go back to family/friends – a new observation for this year
• 2 Elderly People have been issued an Emergency Homeless Voucher
  • Case Management is seeking an Apartment
• Three (3) additional people noted as recent evictions – cannot afford to re-enter housing
• Heritage Drive Encampment
  • Trash collection every two weeks – remains working
  • Discussed complexities for portable facilities
  • Encampment is growing in size, number, and type of structures
• Meals are being further coordinated to include weekends and now Holidays
• Food pantries are experiencing volumes of 150% their capacities 
• Discussed Use of Gateway Park Restrooms during food distributions.
  • Have been winterized, water off, no heat inside 
• Discussed use of Memorial Gym shower facilities in lieu of or in conjunction with YMCA facilities.

Homeless Summit for December 11 at 7:00PM at the Sanford Performing Arts Center

Save the Date Notices have been sent for distribution to all York County State Legislators and Municipal Elected Officials to plan to attend.

The Forum seeks to communicate collectively to the entire York County State Legislative Officials, and in coordination with our Local Elected Officials, the immediate necessities of addressing Homelessness at our local levels and how this translates into a need for further State address. A Data Walk of stats from our Communities as well as a Collective Presentation will be made of Who and Why, Numbers, Actions, and Deficiencies in Capacities that are creating and or prolonging Homelessness.

The end of the Summit will allow for interactions with the State Legislators on the information and a series of requests for Long Term, Short Term, and Immediate needs to address Homelessness. It is the goal to communicate both needs and priorities to our State Legislators to inform their decisions and assignment of resources within the next legislative session and into the future. As one example, there is an Emergency Bill requesting to increase funding for Shelter Services in our State from $2.5 million to $12.0 million. For York County, why is this funding important and why is it so desperately needed.

After the presentation, a list of Long Term, Short Term, and Immediate Needs will be presented outline currently as;

Long Term –

• Mental Health Bed Capacities – increase number of beds and funding
• Substance Use Disorder Beds – increase number of beds and funding
• Better Coordination of Statewide Housing Council and Regional Councils
• Maine State Housing Funds towards
  • Housing First Units
  • Low to Moderate Income Housing
  • Workforce Housing
  • Other Housing Opportunities

Short Term –

• Increase Shelter Options and Services o
  • Low Barrier SUD Friendly with Case Management o
  • High Barrier Drug/Alcohol Free without Case Management 
• Regional Coordination of Alternative Shelter Options such as Gyms, others
• Coordinated Data Entry for all Social Service Providers and State General Assistance

Immediate – 

• Coordinated Entry and Case Conferencing for all Services and Shelter Options
• Diversion Funds to Gap Rental Costs to prevent Evictions
• Warming Center Services – get people out of the cold

These points will be further refined prior to the Summit based upon the collective input across all participating Communities and Agencies.

Dan Coyne, Senior Vice President, Community Impact & Governance of United Way of Southern Maine, participated with the Task Force communicating the ALICE Report and how to relate our recent insurgence of people being evicted and becoming Homeless. Dan indicated that the morning after the Homeless Summit on December 12 at 7:30AM, United Way is hosting a Legislative Breakfast at York County Community College for York and Cumberland County State Representatives to convey the ALICE Report for Maine, specifically our two Counties. The ALICE Report quantifies the true cost of living in a particular location in comparison to the incomes. It is a formal expression of “the working poor” and examines how the true cost of living is outstripping wages and equalizes the analysis across zip codes. See the prior report for further details.

The Task Force found that the Homeless Summit on 12/11 and then the ALICE Summit on 12/12 is a collaborative presentation on key information that should be a focus for our Elected Officials as they work for the ensuing year on priorities and budgeting.

This Report is on the Unhoused Populations within Sanford, Asylum-Seekers and Unhoused Residents within Sanford. It is being reported bi-weekly to the City Council in preparation for any legislative actions as well as to inform the general public of actions being taken.

Currently, there are two major categories of people without housing at this juncture; 1) recent immigrants crossing our Country’s Borders seeking Asylum and transported to our City, 2) Citizens of our Country, predominantly Residents of Sanford/Springvale, who are without housing for a number of reasons.

Asylum-Seekers (AS):

Current Status:

• Temporary Housing
  • 2 families in temporary housing
• Permanent Housing Work
  • 33 families permanently housed in Sanford for a total of 126 people
  • 4 families permanently housed in Lewiston for a total of 13 people
  • 1 family permanently housed in Arundel for a total of 6 people
  • 2 families are in long-term host homes w/ Sanford residents placement for a total of 4 people

General Assistance has had several newly arriving immigrant, non-asylum seekers, having work or other visa types seeking assistance, a new trend.

Vicki Martin, Sanford General Assistance Director, recently represented the City at a regional meeting around the pending formation of the Office of New Mainers, Greg Payne from the Governor’s Office of Innovation facilitated. Director Martin was able to express the lack of a centralized data base and related impacts upon GA, the shear volume of contacts as a burden, and the financial burden is detrimentally impacting the Office. There was a general consensus that General Assistance was not designed for this situation and the State needs to separate and carry the full costs. Further the language barriers were also identified as difficult and burdensome. The Office of new Mainers is being formed to address these types of impacts for the near future.

Ongoing Financial Impacts:

General Assistance utilization for Asylum-Seekers in October was $75,359 of 74% of total expenditures for the month. Housing at $44,883 and Food at $25,023 were the two largest areas of expenditures. For the first quarter of the Fiscal Year, GA has expended 3.2 times on Asylum-Seeker Families than has been spent on our Resident population.

Gross Expenditures for GA, if not reduced, are projected to reach over $1.2 million in FY 23/24 in comparison to the Budget of $300,000. The currently adopted Budget for FY 23/24 did not anticipate the impacts of the Asylum-Seekers as at the time of Budget Adoption, the City had not yet experienced any of the current flow and or impacts.

Resident Unhoused Population:

The City’s Homeless Task Force was activated to again increase the efforts around addressing our Resident Unhoused Population, people originating in Sanford/Springvale (or the close Region) who have become or have been unhoused for an extended period for various reasons. The Sanford Police Department Mental Health Unit (MHU) tracks the number of contacts, interviews the contacts, and maintains a data base of the Unhoused and the associated reason/s for being unhoused. Due to the rapid increase in the number of Unhoused in the last year as well as the increased presence of financially unhoused, mental health and most dramatically Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD), the Task Force was activated to further address homelessness.

Task Force Meeting #7 November 6, 2023

Current Status provided by Sanford MHU:

• 190 Unique Contacts to date of Unhoused Individuals
• 141 are known to be living outside or in cars, and increase of 6 in the last two weeks
  • 5 are juveniles
• Notification of 9 recent evictions resulted in 2 additional people currently outside
• 1 person was recently taken to recovery
  • 3 more people are now pending – timing and capacity must align

There is a rising number of people becoming unhoused due to economics, incomes no longer able to support the current cost of living, and or displaced due to untreated disabilities.

General Assistance utilization for Residents for the month of October was $25,427 or 26% of the total expenditures. Housing at $18,670 and Food at $1,369 were two of the largest areas of expenditures. These expenditures are in alignment with the City’s Budget for gross GA Expenditures of $300,000 for the year as trending.

The Task Force agreed to the informative impacts of the full presentation warranted an elected Officials Forum for all of the York County State Legislators and Elected Officials, Select Persons and Councilors, to convey the size and impact of Homelessness in York County prior to the Legislators return to August in January as warranted. The type and number of homeless we are seeing typically was thought of as being a Portland or Cumberland County centric situation that is now pervasive in York County and growing rapidly outstripping all available resources.

Carter Friend, York County Community Action Corp Director is taking the lead on reaching out to Managers in the following Communities to participate; Sanford, Biddeford, York, Eliot, Kennebunk, and Old Orchard Beach. All of the York County State Delegation, York County Commissioners, and Local Elected Officials will be invited to the Forum.

Areas to address in the Forum will be;

• Compilation of Homeless Statistics from the 6 Communities – translation of impacts for County
• Leading Reasons for becoming Homeless, Who and Why
• Burden Upon Local Services and Providers
• Impediments to Housing as tracked
• ALICE Study impacts – “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed” or previously known as “The Working Poor” 45% of York County Families fall below the ALICE threshold
• Coordination of Services using Coordinated Entry
• Summary State of Recommendations
• Data Walk and provided information to take home

City Manager Buck is working on procuring the Sanford Performing Arts Center for the Forum now as either December 13 or 14, 2023. These dates align with Legislators who are key in this area and their current legislative roles in Augusta.

The next Report should provide the details around the pending Forum.

There was no Homeless Task Force meeting last Monday as it was a Federal Holiday, Indigenous People’s Day. The Task Force will meet again on October 23, 2023 with several new focus areas of;

• Harm Reduction
• York Countywide SUD Coordination
• Opening of Shelter and Resource Hub – Lafayette School

Activity on Heritage Drive:

There continue to be concerns with the concentration of Homelessness and vagrancy along Heritage Drive impacting residences and businesses.

On September 28, 2023 at 4:30AM The Sanford Police Dept. responded to a report of a stabbing and gunshots near the intersection of Emery St. and Heritage Crossing. Officers arrived to find William Southworth (DOB: 03/04/85) age 38 (unhoused individual) had been stabbed multiple times in the back. In speaking with witnesses two males had approached Mr. Southworth stole his bicycle and a physical confrontation occurred where 3-4 gunshots were fired by one of the male assailants and Mr. Southworth was stabbed by the other. Mr. Southworth was transported by Sanford Fire/Rescue to Maine Medical Center where he is listed in stable condition. By 5:38 p.m. on September 28, 2023 The Sanford Police Dept. arrested Derrick Roberts-Poulin age 21, DOB 07/29/02 of Sanford, and Jordan Roberge age 21, DOB 05/03/02 of Sanford. Both suspects were charged with Robbery and Elevated Aggravated Assault in the non-fatal stabbing of William Southworth. Sanford Police’s Criminal Investigation Division worked through the day piecing the case together, drafted search warrants, and in coordination with the Patrol Division and York County Special Response Team, executed the search warrant at 907 Main St. Evidence was collected at that location as part of the investigation. Derrick and Jordan were interviewed and arrested at the Sanford Police Dept. This case also highlights the vulnerability of the unhoused population that resided in Sanford to which a vulnerable person was ultimately a victim.

This Incident prompted calls from Business and Residents in the area. A response was provided as;

Your concerns and the concerns of the business owners/operators at 61 Mill Street certainly are legitimate and have been recognized by the City. The time and resources spent on addressing the Homeless Crisis and associated impacts within Sanford has been extensive. To that end, they are not resolved and we struggle daily to balance property owner rights, public safety AND humanitarian response to people unhoused and unable to self-resolve their situation.

I recognize the most recent Report of crime on Heritage Drive elevated concerns that continue to linger in that area of the City. Police records indicate reports of homeless activity around 61 Washington as 1 in May, 2 in June, 1 in July, and 2 in September. When Rand and Co. brought concerns to the City Council on July 18, 2023 the concerns were addressed the following day. The MAP Needle Exchange Program was discontinued (and has not been reopened), the Heritage Street parking Lot was cleared, deforested, barricaded, and has been continuously monitored. Those efforts were seen as successful until the recent Event.

The recent Event was perpetrated by two young adults, not homeless, against a homeless person riding a bike near the intersection of Heritage Drive and Emery Street, not the entrance to the Sanford Mill. The two perps were located, arrested, and charged within 12 hours of the event. The crime was not committed by “the homeless” but was an act of aggression against them, a trend in society as of late. The Act has now erased the positive work that continues Citywide from the public impressions.

Actions being take around 61 Washington and the entire City:

The Police Department has a dedicated four-person Mental Health Unit (MHU) within the Police Department consisting of 2 Officers and 2 clinicians focused on addressing the cause, symptoms, and any crimes associated with homelessness and individuals. The City’s Homeless Task Force, City Departments and the coordination of All Area Providers, meets bi-weekly to support and amplify the work of the MHU. The Task Force is focused on law enforcement, addressing the needs of the homeless, and partnering with Agencies for placement into services and housing.

The City is further engaged in addressing the Blight that abuts 61 Washington Street, predominantly the Regco or Fratti International Woolen Mill Property. The City has placed a dangerous and hazardous declaration on the Property with a demand for a remediation plan. The City has used the order to remove the former smoke stack at City expense and is in recovery for the costs. Court actions are pending against the closed Corporation that provides a corporate veil of no assets and sparse abilities to effect communications and legal actions.

The City will take the Boiler House Property by condemnation, first action on 10/3/2023, with plans for a $5.0 million remediation of said property and a new 67 car parking area. This is a first, expensive, step towards the ultimate remediation of the International Woolen Mill Property. The City is committed to addressing the Blight and continues to demonstrate that commitment. Time and expediency will never be to the level desired or needed as it far exceeds our City’s fiscal capacity. But again, we are moving as prudently as possible to address.

The Private Property where a number of Homeless people are staying is also being addressed as we are seeking a renewed permission to charge for Criminal Trespass from the corporate veil earlier referenced. This will again move the population and similar impacts will present in a new location to be addressed by the MHU.

As unfortunate and aggravating as the Report of last Thursday was, it remains an isolated and infrequent event in our City. It was not a crime committed by a “homeless” person, but against a person who is unhoused. Sanford’s crime rate is no higher nor does it have a more concentrated crime rate committed by or against homeless persons.

In summary, the concerns expressed by you as Property Owner and those expressed by Businesses are legitimate and are a focal point for our City, Police, and MHU. We will continue to address with both short- and long-term actions to prevent the impacts that unhoused people have against private and public property. We can’t arrest our way out of this as the legal system does not allow. We are fighting a societal change, institutional capacity crisis, and a battle over Substance use Disorder (SUD) that continues to escalate.

Please know that your concerns are heard and are being addressed. Our City values your investment as we continue to invest in our City as described.

A Trespass Order is sought from the legal Representative of Regco and Mario Fratti as not resolving the state of the Property. Chief Anderson and Sergeant Adams are working this matter.

The MHU worked with the People in the Heritage Drive (Regco Property) area adjacent to the Mousam River to clean up their area. Trash was brought to the curbside and will be picked up by a local hauler.

Several arrests have been made in the immediate area with limited results. It continues to be difficult for the York County DA office to prosecute for drug possession, trespass, vagrancy, or other associated crimes for people identifying as homeless. The York County Jail is reporting as being at capacity as are other mental health and SUD facilities.

As these recent activities are addressing impacts to business and residents in the immediate area of heritage Drive, know that such impacts will translocate to new and other areas of the City as this area becomes less of an attractive nuisance.

Encampments: There has been much activity in our City and especially in Portland/South Portland around Homeless Encampments as a temporary measure. Attached to this Report are two resources.

First is the most pertinent report, “7 Principles for Addressing Encampments” composed by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. It should be noted that the City of Sanford has already adopted and implemented a majority of these suggested responses.

Second is a Resource Guide with Links to various Articles on Homelessness and especially around Encampments, use this link Homelessness and Encampments.

In reviewing all of these materials which discuss the impacts to the unhoused caused by encampments and the drain on Community Resources, the ending conclusions are;

• There is no substitute for structure sheltering or housing.
• Encampments ARE NOT a viable short-term solution for the unhoused.
• The Task Force meetings again on October 23, 2023 and will be further working on these concepts as the City seeks to address the matter of Homelessness within our Community.

This Report is on the Unhoused Populations within Sanford, Asylum-Seekers and Unhoused Residents within Sanford. It is being reported bi-weekly to the City Council in preparation for any legislative actions as well as to inform the general public of actions being taken.

Currently, there are two major categories of people without housing at this juncture; 1) recent immigrants crossing our Country’s Borders seeking Asylum and transported to our City, 2) Citizens of our Country, predominantly Residents of Sanford/Springvale, who are without housing for a number of reasons.

Asylum-Seekers (AS):

Between May 1, 2023 and July 20th, with the closure of the Emergency Shelter, a total of 35 Families comprising over 150 individuals were provided emergency housing, food, healthcare, and other support services as Asylum-Seekers.

Current Status:

• 36 Families living in Sanford/Springvale 126 people
• 4 Families housed in Lewiston 13 people
• 1 Family in Arundel 6 people
• 2 Families in long-term host homes
• 2 Families left Sanford without housing 6 people
• 2 Families moving to Sanford as connections with others here

Resource coordination continues around these Families with LIHEAP, TANF, Internet ACP, GAP Rental Assistance, Public Transport coordination, school enrollment, and General Assistance.

Maine Association of New Mainers is providing mentoring programing to train volunteers to assist with assimilation into the network of resources. Public Transit system is connecting people to Portland, Biddeford, around Sanford and even into Boston for immigration hearings.

It was noted that AS entering the work force, that a Federal Housing Voucher is lower than typical rents within our Region. This was noted as a current trend for all and why many people are becoming unhoused due to the high and rising cost of rents.

Resident Unhoused Population:

The City’s Homeless Task Force was activated to again increase the efforts around addressing our Resident Unhoused Population, people originating in Sanford/Springvale (or the close Region) who have become or have been unhoused for an extended period for various reasons. The Sanford Police Department Mental Health Unit (MHU) tracks the number of contacts, interviews the contacts, and maintains a data base of the Unhoused and the associated reason/s for being unhoused. Due to the rapid increase in the number of Unhoused in the last year as well as the increased presence of financially unhoused, mental health and most dramatically Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD), the Task Force was activated to further address homelessness.

Task Force Meeting #5 September 25, 2023

City and Community Partners;

• City Council Representation
• Sanford Housing Authority
• York County Community Action Corp.
• Sanford School Department
• Sanford Police Department and Mental Health Unit
• Sanford Fire Department
• York County Shelter Program
• Opportunity Alliance
• City Administrative Staff

The scope for the Task Force is to identify both short term and long-term solutions towards the coordinated address of homelessness within Sanford and the surrounding Region. Recognition is made of the dedication of resources and expertise by the Community Partners with the Task Force.

Current Stats: Reported by the Sanford Police Mental Health Unit (MHU)

Stat were updated as follows;

• 159 Unique Contacts – up by 8
• 107 Homeless being monitored, up from 83 prior period
• Noted one Mom with 4 kids – kids are under case management Prebble Street
• 30 remain as identified as having high probability of becoming housed using the Partnered Resources
• Remaining Unhoused will require greater case management and allocation of Resources

Services to those unhoused were reviewed as;

• PAYT Trash bags have been issued for clean up with very limited success of return
• Porta Potties are installed at Police Department and stocked with supplies and sharps containers – Very limited use noted at start
• Meals are served at Sunset Towers and working well with Case Managers seeking to complete Coordinated Entry paperwork for new people
• Showers are available at the YMCA MHU paying the fees

The Mental Health Unit has signed and implemented a Memorandum of Understanding with Maine Behavioral Health for the Sanford Goodall Hospital location for services. The MOU outlines the coordinated and collaborative arrangement allowing the MHU Clinicians and Police Officer for protective custody to make direct referrals as opposed to having to go through the Emergency Department, only. This will expedite access to services and save resources within the Emergency Department. Future referrals may increase as SMHC increases Staff at the Goodall Hospital to staff all available beds in the Unit.

The York County Shelter Program continues to work on the Lease and Staffing for the Warming Shelter slated to open within the Lafayette School by October 15th, 2023. There are funds to Staff for 20 overnight stays, capacity for 42 stays, and funding is being sought to close the gap. There is also a second Lease pending for Lafayette for a Resource Center to assist people in need of shelter to address the underlying reason for being unhoused as well as resources to self-sufficiency moving forward.

Chief Anderson made the Task Force aware that Dispatch is required to connect People in Crisis, mental health crisis, to the State Hotline. The State Lines are under staffed and not providing adequate and timely response. Dispatch continues to connect the MHU with those in crisis to capitalize on the local and individualized response of the MHU and Team.

One Couple, of the 30 unhoused economically, has just been assigned an apartment by the coordinated efforts of YCCAC navigator and Sanford Housing Authority voucher. Resource connections and coordination are essential to timely address.

The Task Force focused on coordination and collaboration under the title of Coordinated Entry and efforts to utilized within the Taskf Force but also York County wide to better facilitate services to individuals having multiple contacts across our partners. A separate Group has developed just on the Coordinated Entry and was to meet later that week.

City Manager recently met with York County on the use of $100,000 in this year’s County Budget to Regionally address Homelessness. Originally the funds were envisions to perform a Study by a firm out of Texas, who would ultimately make recommendations. The Group recognized the further coordination of pre-existing Agencies and Services would produce better results with the Coordinated Entry as the mechanism and means for coordination. The Group is to explore a software/app options for service providers, police officers and others to utilize while in the filed or otherwise in contact with unhoused people. Best Practices and Resource Guides to be used within York County were also put as an option within the funds available. An example of the Sanford specific Resource guide is attached.

Further Coordination of Resources Provisions

Coordinated Entry Working Group has been established across service providers to streamline and share information across all platforms and for all services. See York County resource discussion.

Case Management within Mental Health Unit: YCCAC has assigned a Case Manager to work with the MHU that started on 9/11/23 and are working on defining best practices to expedite connections to services.

Peer Support Center

The Center that closed on Washington Street, operated by Maine Behavioral Health, is still seeking a new location, but without success to date. The impact of their closure this past June has been both apparent and impactful within the Community as individual needs are no longer being met in their absence.

SMHC Director notified City that due to the inability to timely identify a Sanford location, the Peer Center submitted a budget for State Approval less a Sanford location. A pledge to work with the City is a location if found is there, but far less viable at this juncture.

Community Paramedicine Program working with the Mental Health Unit of the PD

City Administration was able to announce that the City has received licensure by the State of Maine EMS for a Community Paramedicine Program*. It was further announced that the State will award the City with a Grant of $100 thousand this year towards the first position.

*A Community Paramedicine program is a healthcare initiative that leverages the skills and resources of paramedics to provide preventive and non-emergency medical care within a community. These programs typically involve paramedics working beyond their traditional roles of responding to 911 calls and instead focus on services like home visits, health education, chronic disease management, and wellness checks. Community Paramedicine programs aim to improve access to healthcare, reduce emergency room visits, and enhance overall community health by addressing healthcare needs proactively and in a community-based setting.

A national model of how these coordinated resources connect has been brought by Deputy Chief Small from a recent training session. Although an extensive model, we observe the City has all of the components now or pending absent needing to address further capacities of mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) beds. The Program seeks to best coordinate our current resources around Pathways of diversion from crime to evidence-based treatment. See Attached illustrative diagram.

State Grant is being moved for City Council review and funding completion for the 10/2/2023 Council Meeting with the expectations of financial support from Medical Providers in Sanford being SMHC and Nasson. Details still pending on additionally needed funds.

AmeriCorps Positions:

Sanford Housing Authority submitted an application for 4 individuals to train as Housing Navigator/Case Managers through AmeriCorps. Award notification is still pending. The Sanford Housing Authority is moving forward to hire a Navigator Position in anticipation and to use to train people if awarded.

Resource Hub –

Service Partners YCCAC, Sanford Housing Authority, YCSP, Nasson Health, and other providers have coordinated to stand up a Temporary Resource Hub for the two weeks in October, the weeks of October 2nd and 9th. The Center will be open 9AM-2PM each date located in the parking lot of YCCAC off Spruce Street. The Resource Hub worked well in 2019 and seeks to again provide services to the unhoused this fall prior to cold weather setting in for winter.

Housing First Model: Restated

Sanford Housing Authority is actively engaged in the Feasibility Study to purchase land, a developer to construct, and a partner to operate York County’s first Housing First Unit of 40 Units. The Facility once built will provide transitional housing for those needing 24/7 case management to make the transition from homeless to permanent housing and work. The Housing Authority will work on a Community Education and Capital Campaign as they work on a competitive Grant Application pending for October of this year. Maine State Housing indicates they can fund 12 such projects across the State and that 2 of those should be located in York County.

Post Meeting Note:

City received communications on 10/2/2023 from Maine Access Points Sanford Harm Reduction Program that they secured a brick and mortar location at 840 Main Street. They will spend the next few weeks renovating for the purpose of the Program.

They noted; We plan to offer HIV and hepatitis C testing, syringe disposal, naloxone and overdose prevention education, safer use supplies including educating people about non-injection alternatives, and extensive referral support including linkage to Nasson for primary care, medications for substance use disorder and wound care. As soon as I have more information about our days and times, I will update you all. We currently have 1.5 staff for our Sanford program and will be posting for an additional 1 FTE this week.

They also noted they would be joining the Task Force to coordinate services in relationship to our unhoused population.

The City’s Homeless Task Force was activated to once again increase efforts to address our Resident Unhoused Population, people originating in Sanford/Springvale (or the close region) who have become or have been unhoused for an extended period due to various reasons. The Sanford Police Department Mental Health Unit (MHU) tracks the number of contacts, interviews the contacts, and maintains a database of the Unhoused and the associated reasons for being unhoused. Due to the rapid increase in the number of Unhoused in the last year, as well as the increased presence of financially unhoused individuals, mental health issues, and most dramatically, Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD), the Task Force was activated to further address homelessness.

Task Force Meeting #4, September 11, 2023 City and Community Partners:

• City Council Representation
• Sanford Housing Authority
• York County Community Action Corp.
• Sanford School Department
• Sanford Police Department and Mental Health Unit
• Sanford Fire Department
• York County Shelter Program
• Opportunity Alliance
• City Administrative Staff

The scope of the Task Force is to identify both short-term and long-term solutions for the coordinated address of homelessness within Sanford and the surrounding region. Recognition is given to the dedication of resources and expertise by the Community Partners involved with the Task Force.

Current Stats: As reported by the Sanford Police Mental Health Unit (MHU), statistics were updated as follows:

• 151 Unique Contacts – up by 4
• 83 Unhoused Known People – reduction of 23
• 30 remain identified as having a high probability of becoming housed using Partnered Resources
• 53 of the Unhoused will require greater case management and allocation of resources

Services to those unhoused were reviewed as follows:

• Porta Potties were ordered, one ADA-compliant and one Standard, to be placed on Police Department Property for care and monitoring. (Units were placed on 9/12/23 with sharps containers, supplies, and Narcan)
• Showers are available at the YMCA, with MHU covering the fees.

Sanford Police Officer Cutler, formerly of Biddeford PD, presented on the City's allowance of a centralized Homeless Encampment, which would provide a centralized location for service providers, crime monitoring, and an organized location for trash, sanitation, and other services. The Task Force agreed to explore such an option, identify possible locations, and examine the legal and logistical ramifications for creating such a location.

As time does not permit the establishment of such a location this fall, the focus shifted to the start of the Warming Shelter, pending for the Lafayette School location. The York County Shelter Program was awarded funding from the Maine State Housing to set up a Warming Shelter with a Resource Hub proposed to be housed in leased space in the Lafayette School. The lease is still under review with legal counsel, operating parameters are being solidified, and staffing is ongoing. The Shelter is expected to be operational by October 15, 2023. The York County Shelter Program is working with area neighbors to address any concerns they might have with the opening of the Shelter Program. It is important to note that a Resource Center to address the needs of people using the Shelter has been incorporated to lessen their future need by connecting resources around the cause of their need for shelter use.

The anticipated level of service will include 42 Gravity Chairs for overnight use when conditions warrant. City Codes and Fire have inspected and approved this level of use. Meals will be offered. A Resource Center will be open on the second floor, staffed by the Portland Recovery Center and YCCAC, with Sanford Housing providing resources dependent upon availability. A permanent location, as Lafayette is temporary, is being sought, and a number of properties were put forth for consideration.

Further Coordination of Resource Provisions:

The Partners comprising the Task Force are refining their knowledge of those who are unhoused within our community, as there are multiple contacts across multiple agencies for many of these people. The coordination of these multiple contacts under the Coordinated Entry database will prevent duplication and expedite services across all agencies.

YCCAC has embedded a Case Manager with the MHU, and their fieldwork started the week of 9/11/23. Case Management from Opportunity Alliance, covering all of York County, presented on the best means to reduce the time and amount of required paperwork/documentation to expedite the Coordinated Entry and will also coordinate across our list of people to better facilitate obtaining services.

Peer Support Center:

The Center that closed on Washington Street, operated by Maine Behavioral Health, is still seeking a new location, but without success to date. The impact of their closure this past June has been both apparent and impactful within the community, as individual needs are no longer being met in their absence. Two more potential stopgap or temporary locations were identified and are being discussed with those facility owners/operators. Answers on each should be known for the next meeting.

Community Paramedicine Program working with the Mental Health Unit of the PD:

City Administration was able to announce that the City has received licensure by the State of Maine EMS for a Community Paramedicine Program*. It was further announced that the State will award the City a Grant of $100 thousand this year towards the first position.

*A Community Paramedicine program is a healthcare initiative that leverages the skills and resources of paramedics to provide preventive and non-emergency medical care within a community. These programs typically involve paramedics working beyond their traditional roles of responding to 911 calls and instead focus on services like home visits, health education, chronic disease management, and wellness checks. Community Paramedicine programs aim to improve access to healthcare, reduce emergency room visits, and enhance overall community health by addressing healthcare needs proactively and in a community-based setting.

A national model of how these coordinated resources connect has been brought by Deputy Chief Small from a recent training session. Although an extensive model, we observe that the City has all of the components now or pending, with the exception of needing to address further capacities of mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) beds. The Program seeks to best coordinate our current resources around Pathways of diversion from crime to evidence-based treatment.

AmeriCorps Positions:

Sanford Housing Authority submitted an application for 4 Trained Housing Navigator/Case Managers through AmeriCorps for the August 31st application period and will also submit another application for the September 21st application period as a backup. This will provide, if awarded, 4 new positions to be coordinated across all partnering agencies for case management and resource connections for our unhoused population.

Resource Hub:

Service Partners YCCAC, Sanford Housing Authority, YCSP, Nasson Health, and other providers have coordinated to set up a Temporary Resource Hub for the two weeks in October, during the weeks of October 2nd and 9th. The Center will be open from 9 AM to 2 PM on each date and will be located in the parking lot of YCCAC off Spruce Street. The Resource Hub worked well in 2019 and seeks to again provide services to the unhoused this fall before cold weather sets in for winter.

Housing First Model (Restated):

Sanford Housing Authority is actively engaged in the Feasibility Study to purchase land, a developer to construct, and a partner to operate York County's first Housing First Unit of 40 Units. The facility, once built, will provide transitional housing for those needing 24/7 case management to make the transition from homelessness to permanent housing and work. The Housing Authority will work on Community Education and a Capital Campaign while also working on a competitive Grant Application pending for October of this year. Maine State Housing indicates they can fund 12 such projects across the State, with 2 of those located in York County.

Mental Health Capacities:

The MHU continued to work with Maine Behavioral Health on a Memorandum of Understanding to allow more expedient access to mental health services within the network and to streamline access without impacting the Sanford Emergency Department as is currently the situation. The MOU is now completed and outlines the role of the MHU as coordinating rapid referral processes, meeting clients in the field, making crisis protocol assessments, consulting with MBH on individual cases, and then coordinating entry into services with or without the use of the Emergency Department at SMHC. This is a major step forward to better coordinate and expedite the provision of mental health services to those in need. It is a defining document of the roles of the MHU and MBH working in partnership.

York County Homeless Resources:

York County is scheduling a first meeting for the week of September 25th to discuss the expansion of Layman’s Way and other uses of County resources to address homelessness across the County.

Resident Unhoused (August 15th):
The City’s Homeless Task Force was activated to again increase the efforts around addressing our Resident Unhoused Population, people originating in Sanford/Springvale (or the close Region) who have become or have been unhoused for an extended period for various reasons. Due to the rapid increase in the number of Unhoused in the last year as well as the increased presence of financially unhoused, mental health and most dramatically Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD), the Task Force was activated to further address homelessness.

Task Force Meeting #2 August 14, 2023
City and Community Partners;

• City Council Representation
• Sanford Housing Authority
• York County Community Action Corp.
• Sanford School Department
• Sanford Police Department and Mental Health Unit
• Sanford Fire Department
• York County Shelter Program
• Caring Unlimited
• Senator Collins York County State Representative
• City Administrative Staff

The Task Force's objective is to identify both short-term and long-term solutions for addressing homelessness in Sanford and the surrounding region. We appreciate the dedication of resources and expertise from our community partners in support of the Task Force's mission. We appreciate the dedication of resources and expertise from our community partners in support of the Task Force's mission.

Current Statistics from Sanford Police Mental Health Unit (MHU):

• 147 unique contacts.
• 106 known unhoused individuals.
• 30 individuals have a high probability of finding housing through partner resources.
• 76 unhoused individuals require extensive case management and resource allocation.

School Department reported:

• 117 youth were unhoused during the previous school year.
• 31 of them were outside the district and needed transportation to school five days a week.
  • Grant and COVID funds were being used but these resources are ending.
• The number of unhoused students has doubled in the past three years.
• Partnering with Prebble Street Program in Portland for Unaccompanied Youths aged 14-24 through referrals.
• Exploring the Ryan House model in North Berwick for unaccompanied youth housing as a potential approach in Sanford.
• York County Shelter Program coordinating family sheltering around school districts.
• Expanding solutions for inter-district student transportation through York County Transportation's public transit services.

Short-Term Priorities:

• Addressing the lack of restroom facilities for unhoused individuals, with potential installation of Porta Potties alongside Sharps Containers.
  • Proposed placement of 1 ADA and 1 regular portable facility in the Police Department Parking Lot for monitoring.
  • Exploring the use of General Assistance Funds for recurring costs.
  • Consideration of permanent Sharps Containers at $195.00 each or containers from the Harm Reduction Program.
• Implementing Sharps Containers to safely dispose of medical sharps.
  • Exploring funding for purchase and disposal in partnership with Maine CDC and Maine Access Points.
• .Managing solid waste by providing PAYT Bags to unhoused individuals for daily trash collection to prevent littering.
  • Offering gift card incentives for proper collection and disposal compliance
• Enhancing food donations to bolster meals provided by the York County Shelter Program in the absence of the Peer Support Center

Coordination of Community Partners and Resources:

• YCCAC assigned a Case Manager to work with MHU for the unhoused population, assisting with housing voucher applications, public benefits applications, medical resources, and other necessities until housing is secured. MHU will continue to be the first point of contact and known contact connecting these resources
• The closed Peer Support Center's impact on access to peer support, counseling, restrooms, daytime facilities, and food has been lost. The Center was run by MaineHealth and funded by the State on a three-year funding cycle. Multiple people and entities are searching for a new location, but short-term funding and stigmatism has precluded placement to date. If lost for the remaining year of their current term, it may be very difficult to obtain future funding through DHHS.
• Establishing a Resource Hub, coordinated by the City and Community Partners, inside York County Community Action's fenced area, to offer a range of resources including food, medical assistance, case management, housing support, and referrals. The Hub worked very well during its previous deployment and will greatly aid in the interim until additional capacities are identified or implemented.
• Harm Reduction Program (Syringe Exchange) ongoing discussions with Maine Access Points for a new location, preferably a brick and mortar facility, not outside. MHU will report out findings and next steps. Maine Access Points will be invited to the next Task Force meeting.

Housing Placement and Finances:

• Sanford Housing Authority applying for AmeriCorps positions for Housing Navigators to be distributed among Community Partners within the Task Force
• Landlord education efforts continue to support housing voucher use and tenant relationships
• Addressing gap funds for rental assistance to bridge housing allowances and costs, prevent eviction, and assist financially impacted individuals. This is a critical area of ongoing needed resources to bridge the gap of housing allowances and housing costs. It is also critically important for those in danger of eviction due to inability to pay current rent.
• Exploring opportunities to expand capacity at York County Shelter Program with a meeting scheduled with state officials for funding discussions. Finances are the largest component preventing increase shelter capacity at the YCSP. ESHAP from Maine State Housing only provides 35% of the funds necessary to cover the cost of a shelter bed. YCSP has 67 staffed beds in Alfred at one time and is currently down to 36 at their location. It was noted that the Town of Alfred does not support the expansion of Shelter Services or the expansion of Layman’s Way, a substance abuse recovery center adjacent to the Jail.
• Pursuing the Housing First Model with Sanford Housing Authority, York County Community Action, and the City partnering for 30 Housing First Beds funded by the State Supplemental Budget. A known Developer is identified and land is under consideration (TBD). Sanford Housing would own and operate the Housing and YCCAC would provide the Staffing for Programing within the Housing for long term case management. The pending Application, Letters of Support, and full details are still pending.
• Seeking additional IHSP funds for 55 and older Service Programs from York County Area Agency on Aging to facilitate independent living and housing stability. Both the MHU and Fire/EMS can assist in connecting Seniors in need of such programing as part of their regular and ongoing contacts.
• Nasson Federally Qualified Healthcare Facility (FQHC) administered by YCCAC is partnering to provide medical services, especially wound care to those with Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD). The Sanford Fire/EMS Dept. also has pending a Grant Application to start a Community Paramedicine Program that can/will coordinate with Nasson FQHC and MaineHealth and other Medical Providers to go to people needing services, to include the Unhoused Population.
• York County Shelter Program (YCSP) has been funded to establish a Resource Hub for food and warming shelter services in the former Lafayette School. Discussion of combining the warming shelter with other services occurred but was dismissed due to the necessity of maintaining separation and avoiding negative impact on the surrounding residential neighborhood.

Meeting with State Resources:

• City Administration, YCCAC, and YCSP engaged with the Governor's Office of Innovation and Maine State Housing to seek State Funding for York County's shelter beds. YCSP had 67 beds in Alfred, now reduced to 36 beds in Alfred and 16 Family Shelter Beds in Sanford – significantly insufficient for York County's needs. ESHAP via Maine State Housing currently funds these beds at around 35% of actual operational costs. Higher utilities and staffing expenses are jeopardizing shelter operations post COVID, despite extra funds raised. YCSP plans Notre Dame Hall building and septic renovations if funded. A one-time $5.0M ESHAP allocation will soon be exhausted. No additional State funding identified for current bed operation or new capacity.
• Governor's Executive Order 2 FY 23/24 establishes Office of New Americans by 2025, emphasizing workforce development over housing. City to collaborate with partners on revised shelter bed strategy. City advised to apply for a competitive 30-unit Housing First Facility.

In summary, our community partners in the Task Force are already providing crucial services to address unhoused individuals. The difference now lies in coordinated efforts and and active amplification of their individual agency work in the combined and defined mission unique to our unhoused population. The response from the Partners has been outstanding. The continued issues to address are capacities in all areas of sheltering, housing, mental health services/beds, substance abuse services/beds, and gap funds to financially impacted people before and after they become unhoused. Capacities are Number 1.

Resident Unhoused Population

The City's Homeless Task Force was activated to increase efforts in addressing our Resident Unhoused Population: people originating in Sanford/Springvale (or the close region) who have become or have been unhoused for an extended period due to various reasons. The Sanford Police Department's Mental Health Unit (MHU) tracks the number of contacts, conducts interviews, and maintains a database of the Unhoused and the associated reasons for being unhoused. The Task Force was activated in response to the rapid increase in the number of Unhoused individuals in the last year, particularly those facing financial struggles, mental health issues, and Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD). The Task Force is comprised of the following members:

• Sanford Mayor
• City Councilor
• Police Mental Health Unit
  • 2 Officers
  • 2 Social Workers (one focused on SUD and one on Mental Health)
• Sanford Housing Authority Director
• York County Community Action Executive Director and Director of Economic Opportunity
• Police Chief, Deputy Chief, and 2 Majors
• City Manager

The purpose of the meeting was to review both long-term and short-term services to address homelessness and to solidify the roles and partnerships that already exist across the City's Departments and with the Sanford Housing Authority, York County Community Action, and other regional or state service providers. The Task Force discussed the currently Unhoused Population:

• 142 Unique Contacts
• 105 Actively Engaged Unhoused
• 7 Unhoused individuals addressed last week and now off the list

The Resident Unhoused can be grouped into Four Major Categories:

• People who are Unhoused due to Financial or other Circumstances, not Mental Health or SUD-related.
  • Need Housing Assistance Funding or Gap Funds above current levels.
• People needing support or case management to become successfully housed.
  • Case Management – Short Term
• People with severe Mental Health and SUD that will require treatment and then case management, short term, to be successfully housed.
• People whose Mental Health and SUD have become so dominant that they will require long-term case management while being housed.

Extensive dialogue around these groupings, the associated services utilized or needed, the success or deficiencies of services, and capacities were then summarized into the following immediate and/or short-term actions:

The next Homeless Task Force Meeting is scheduled for August 14th, 2023, with additional attendees including the Sanford Fire Chief on the Community Paramedicine Program and the Assistant School Superintendent on the Student Unhoused Population.

The Long-Term Objectives, primarily capacity-based issues, were also noted around the Major Area, in preparation for the next Meeting with State Officials around the assignment of resources on August 15th, 2023. Recognition of the State’s allocation of resources around Homelessness and Sheltering Programs has been concentrated in certain Cities/Counties and not proportional within York County. The purpose of meeting with the State is to address York County’s, to include Sanford’s, capacities and State funding assistance to address Homelessness. The City, through the Police Department's Mental Health Unit, is also working to implement a Memorandum of Understanding with Maine Behavioral and Southern Maine Healthcare for more direct access to behavioral health referrals and services. Additionally, the City has Staff directly involved with the York County expansion of Layman’s Way, adjacent to the Jail in Alfred, to increase the capacity for Substance Use Disorder and evidence-based recovery programming for York County.