Homelessness

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.

Resident Unhoused:
The number of unhoused people in Sanford is rapidly increasing, with the majority being local residents or from nearby areas. Previously, many of the homeless population suffered from Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and mental health issues, leading to instability in work and housing due to lack of treatment. The creation of the Mental Health Unit (MHU) four years ago aimed to address these challenges and successfully reduced the homeless population for two years. However, the current systems are struggling with the growing crisis as the mix of homeless individuals has changed, now including economically impacted people not associated with SUD or mental health. This has resulted in a capacity shortage, presenting an overarching crisis.

Recent Statistics

• 136 unique contacts with MHU
• 104 Individuals are documented to be homeless – ½ of that population have been homeless for greater than a year.
• 116 mapped locations of active or recently active “campsites” in all areas of Sanford/Springvale.
• There are a number of current contacts with Seniors and Others who can no longer afford their past housing and cannot relocate to affordable housing given their income levels. These same people do not qualify for GA or public assistance.

Recent Impacts
The Peer Counseling Group closed its location on Washington St. as their lease was not renewed. They are funded and searching for a new facility with a kitchen, restrooms, and other services. However, their relocation status is currently unknown. As a result, many people who used to visit the center daily are now congregating and sleeping in Central Park and wandering at night.

Current Work

• Encampments have spread due to the lack of services downtown for the homeless, such as toilets, laundry, and showers. The Mental Health Unit (MHU) devotes considerable time to assisting people in these 116 known locations and beyond. Establishing a Centralized Services or Resource Hub is urgently needed.
• City Administration has set up a bi-weekly coordination meeting involving the MHU, YCCAC, and regional providers. The aim is to shift the focus from addressing asylum-seekers to providing the same level of attention to the resident homeless population. The manager is seeking two City Councilors to participate in regular bi-weekly meetings, and establish a reporting system with action items for the City Council.

The City and our partners are focusing on Short Term Solutions from now to year-end

Initial Assessment and needed Action Items are;

• Re-establishing the Counseling Center-(Need a location with bathrooms, showers, and kitchen)
  • Growth Council- Assisting with a location search
  • Locate a brick-and-mortar location for Maine Access Points Needle Exchange Program
• Researching Temporary Portable Housing Solutions
  • Find a Location
  • Criteria of Accountability to be Utilized
    • Must take Services to stay in Housing
  • Identify Community Partners Around Temporary Housing
• Standing Up Lafayette Warming Shelter and Resource Hub is critical to replace the Resource Hub and Peer Support Solution in the interim
• York County Shelter Program – Renovations to Dennis Hall to double the capacity of Shelter Space in York County
• State-funded Housing First- 44 Units minimum from Funds available starting in October

Areas with a lack of Capacity & State/Federal Resources to pursue;

• Mental Health Beds and Outpatient Services
• Substance Use Disorder – Evidence-Based Support for Counseling and Prescription Treatment
• Transitional Housing until Permanent Housing is Found
• Increase Permanent Housing Options
• Address the Incremental Deterioration of Enforceability for illegal activities resulting from unaddressed Homelessness.
  • The Police face challenges in summoning and DA struggles to prosecute offenses such as Criminal Trespass, Drug Possession and Use, Loitering, Littering, Illegal Entry, and others. The rising occurrences and overwhelmed capacities have led to gradual changes that restrict the use of previous enforcement tools. Reference the Homeless Crisis Protocol issued by the Maine Attorney General’s Office.

Asylum-Seekers (AS):

Starting May 1, 2023, the city has experienced an influx of asylum-seeking families, peaking at over 150 individuals. Initially, 28 families were provided emergency housing in hotel rooms under General Assistance Rules. After 30 days, they qualified for a monthly housing allowance, extending their stay by two weeks. Subsequently, they were evicted and placed in non-licensed shelters, which were later closed. A temporary gymnasium shelter was then offered by a church.

Running the Emergency Shelter faced challenges due to insufficient facilities and staffing. The shelter opened on June 15, 2023, and is set to close on July 20, 2023. The number of identified families increased from 28 to 35.

Current Status:

• 35 families are being assisted (previously 28).
• 27 families secured permanent housing (apartments).
• 23 families have already moved into apartments.
• 4 families will move into apartments within the next 10 days.
• 8 families are still searching for permanent housing (apartments).

By July 20, 2023:

• 4 families will move to private residences, pending housing placement within 10 days.
• 8 families will receive temporary housing through YCCAC while Housing Navigators search for apartments. If no apartments are found in 3 weeks, private homes have been assigned to each family.

The emergency housing and shelter needs of asylum-seeking families, currently totaling 35 families, are now fulfilled. Unfortunately, Sanford lacks the additional capacity to house more asylum-seekers. They must find qualifying housing for General Assistance assistance before receiving vouchers.

The City Staff, Departments, and YCCAC deserve recognition for their coordination efforts and support in addressing this issue.