Latest news with #YorkCountyShelterPrograms
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
York County's only homeless shelter closes after 45 years
May 9—ALFRED — With an hour to go before the deadline to leave, Kurt Frank stood outside the front door of the homeless shelter where he's been staying for the last five weeks, a pile of bags stuffed full of his belongings at his feet. York County Shelter Programs, the nonprofit that runs the county's only homeless shelter, announced last week it would shutter some of its operations because it could no longer afford to operate. Since then, residents have been scrambling to find other places to go, a task that for some felt nearly impossible. Frank, who has serious health issues and lived in a tent for a year before coming to the shelter in Alfred, will spend the next 10 days in a motel in Sanford paid for by the city's General Assistance program. After that, he doesn't know what he'll do. "I keep asking the good Lord, 'When is enough?' It's just awful," Frank, 54, said as he waited for a friend to pick him up. The nonprofit organization announced last week that it had laid off 20 of its 70 employees and would suspend some of the programs it runs for people experiencing housing insecurity in York County. The board of directors said the closure of its adult shelter is necessary because of "significant and growing financial limitations," and called the decision gut-wrenching. The closure of the shelter comes as shelter providers across Maine push for additional state funding to cover the cost of operating homeless shelters. Emergency shelters in Maine receive $7 per night per bed in state funding, although a recent study by MaineHousing found the actual cost per bed is $102 per night. SOME PROGRAMS WILL STAY OPEN Earlier this week, the York County Commissioners voted to take over operations at the York County Shelter Programs food pantry, which serves about 6,000 people each month. The food pantry is already housed in a county-owned building and clients will not see an interruption in services. The county will pull $25,000 from a contingency fund to keep the food pantry running through the end of the year. Commissioners also voted to set aside $100,000 in the next fiscal year to fully take over pantry operations and hire staff. York County Shelter Programs has operated a homeless shelter since 1980, serving about 650 men, women and children each year. There were 37 residents in the adult shelter when the closure was announced last week. Kelli Deveaux, spokesperson for the board of directors, said Friday that the family shelter will stay open until all 16 current residents find alternative housing or another organization can take over operations. Layman Way Recovery Center, a 17-bed treatment facility, currently has nine clients and will stay open until June 30. That closing date had already been scheduled in coordination with the opening of a new county-run recovery center. No new clients will be accepted at Layman Way. The nonprofit will also continue to operate its affordable housing program, which includes 24 separate properties with 117 apartment units across York County. Books ReVisited, a used bookstore in Sanford run by volunteers to support YCSP clients, will stay open. Deveaux said the organization will retain 23 full- and part-time staff members, but about 30 employees will be laid off after Friday. "These are dedicated and valued employees who have provided life changing services for those in need in York County," Deveaux said in a statement. "Their impact has been immense, and we urge the community to send the kind words and offers of assistance received by YCSP to these heroes who have done so much for others." 'NOWHERE TO GO' This week, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers from York County sent a letter to Gov. Janet Mills and MaineHousing Director Dan Brennan urging them find a way to prevent the closure of the shelter. "The closure of the York County Shelter would be the loss of a vital community resource and have a significant and long-lasting negative impact on the folks who have found support and hope there. Existing programs and resources, which are limited, may be unable to handle an influx of demand for assistance," they wrote. House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, said in a social media post that Brennan told them that MaineHousing is working to figure out options for people displaced by the closure. A spokesperson said the governor's office "is concerned and monitoring the situation in York County" and referred questions to MaineHousing. MaineHousing has been in daily contact with the shelter staff in Alfred and is assisting with funding through existing contracts and the properties mortgaged through the agency, according to spokesperson Scott Thistle. "We are so impressed with the interim administration and staff in York County, who have safely re-housed everyone staying at the adult shelter and have found a way to keep the family shelter and all permanent housing units operating," Thistle said in a statement. "We will continue to work with all interested parties on the medium- and long-term plans of reopening an important shelter operation for southern Maine." Deveaux said the board and staff have also been working with York County Community Action Corporation, Preble Street, Caring Unlimited, Seeds of Hope in Biddeford, Sanford Housing, the Sanford city manager and the York County Task Force on Homelessness to transition people to other support services. Shelter staff have also been working directly with residents to try to make alternative housing plans. Deveaux said all 37 residents of the shelter had a plan in place for housing by Friday. But some people leaving the shelter Friday said they were still trying to find long-term housing. Joanne Goodreau, who had been staying at the shelter since November, said some people at the shelter were able to move into other properties run by the shelter program, but others "were scattering." She said some people planned to go to a warming shelter in Biddeford or a larger shelter in Portland. "Some people have moved on but for the people who haven't, I don't know what they're doing," Goodreau said Thursday afternoon. "There's really nowhere to go." Staff at the Homeless Services Center in Portland have taken a high number of calls from people from the Alfred shelter, but no one had gone to the Portland shelter by Friday afternoon, a city spokesperson said. Goodreau, 62, said a friend was putting her up in a motel for a few days, but she doesn't know where she'll go after that. She said she's lucky to have a car and worries most about the older people with medical needs who have been displaced. Frank, the resident waiting for a ride from the shelter on Friday, said he's dealing with anxiety, depression and COPD on top of the stress of moving out. He said he "bawled like a baby" when staff told him the shelter would close. Frank said his only income is a monthly Social Security disability check of $1,073, not enough to afford a room through the shelter program or an apartment in the area. There are no housing vouchers available and he's waiting for a spot in an assisted living facility, he said. "If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all," he said. Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
York County to take over food pantry operations, but shelter's future uncertain
May 7—The York County Commissioners voted unanimously to take over operations of the food pantry currently run by the York County Shelter Programs, a nonprofit in Alfred, just ahead of the emergency shelter and food pantry's anticipated closure on Friday. At their meeting Wednesday night, the commissioners discussed how the county might be able to step in and help as the shelter and food pantry face closure. The food pantry serves about 6,000 people each month, while the shelter has about 65 people staying there. The shelter laid off 20 of its 70 employees last week and announced that it would close its doors this Friday because it can no longer cover the cost of running its programs. The decision to suspend operations comes as shelter providers across the state push for additional state funding to cover the cost of operating homeless shelters. Emergency shelters in Maine receive $7 per night per bed in state funding, although a recent study by MaineHousing found the actual cost per bed is $102 per night. The commissioners determined Wednesday that keeping the shelter open would be beyond the county's capacity, but they agreed to move forward with taking over food pantry operations. Commissioner Justin Chenette put forth a motion after brief discussions to pull $25,ooo from a county contingency fund to continue operations of the food pantry through the end of the fiscal year and to set aside $100,000 in the coming fiscal year to fully take over operations of the pantry and hire staff. The commission unanimously supported the motion. 'IF WE DONT DO IT, IT WILL CLOSE' During discussions on Wednesday, County Manager Gregory Zinzer said that the county's ability to help is limited, but he encouraged the commissioners to do all they could. He said it would not be financially or operationally feasible to take over shelter operations, but that it may be possible to keep the food pantry going, particularly because the county already owns the building that the pantry operates out of and pays its utilities. He said that operating the food pantry would likely cost about $100,000 per year. "If we don't do it, it will close," he said. Commissioner Richard Clark said that while he'd like to see the emergency shelter stay open too, he doesn't think York County government is equipped to take it over "It is simply beyond us," said Clark. "To ask our employees, our manager, our assistant manager, to take on another project at this point, there just aren't enough hours in the day." Commissioner Robert Andrews mentioned the idea of creating an exploratory committee to examine how the county may be able to help reopen the shelter down the line, but everyone agreed saving the shelter before Friday wasn't possible. "It would be a very big lift for the county take on a multimillion dollar commitment to run a program in such a short amount of time," Chenette said in a phone interview after the meeting. "The sudden nature of this announcement makes it difficult to respond to it so quickly." Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
York County's only homeless shelter on brink of closure for lack of funds
May 2—The sole homeless shelter in York County is shutting down because it can no longer cover the cost of running its programs. York County Shelter Programs, a nonprofit in Alfred, laid off 20 of its 70 employees on Thursday and is working with other agencies to try to find new housing for the 65 people still staying at the shelter. The decision to suspend operations comes as shelter providers across the state push for additional state funding to cover the cost of operating homeless shelters. Kelli Deveaux, spokesperson for the agency's board of directors, said the decision to close is "gut-wrenching," especially as the need for shelter services grows. "Despite our collective efforts, and the gracious support of many donors, volunteers and partners in York County, the challenges faced by the organization have become insurmountable," she said. The news was devastating to residents staying in the shelter, who said they were notified Thursday and told they have to be out by noon on May 9. "I was just heartbroken. I was shocked because I didn't think a homeless shelter would close. I assumed I had a safe place to be," said Joanne Goodreau, 62, who has been staying at the shelter since she lost her housing in the Sanford area last November. The leaders of the program, along with directors of other shelters, have been trying to raise the alarm about the lack of funding for homeless shelters and other services. Emergency shelters in Maine receive $7 per night per bed in state funding, although a recent study by MaineHousing found the actual cost per bed is $102 per night. That widening gap must be covered by fundraising donations, an increasingly difficult task, Deveaux said. The York County shelter has an annual budget of $5 million. "We are in a financial situation in which it is impossible to cover even basic expenditures," Deveaux said. The board has not yet decided if the organization's food pantry will continue operating. The pantry feeds about 6,000 people each month and provides special food distributions for Thanksgiving and Christmas. FUNDING CHALLENGES The Maine Legislature is considering a bill that proposes a $5 million annual increase to the state's Emergency Shelter and Housing Assistance Program, used to help cover operating expenses and services at 40 emergency shelters around the state. The increase would bring state funding to $19 per bed per night. The program has been flat-funded in the state's general fund at $2.5 million since 2016. Shelter providers say the increase in funding is needed to sustain operations amid rising costs and the state's persistent housing crisis. Diane Small, executive director of the Sanford Housing Authority, testified in support of the bill, telling legislators that "a stable shelter network is essential for our work." "Without adequate emergency shelter options in York County, many individuals and families will have nowhere to go. This would lead to increased homelessness on our streets, greater strain on hospitals and first responders, and additional pressure on an already overburdened housing system," she said. "Our ability to help people transition into stable housing depends on having a functioning shelter system that ensures individuals are safe while we work to secure them permanent housing solutions." Deveaux said the board knows the closure will leave a gap in services in the county and hopes it can reopen at some point with additional funding and partnerships. "The primary concern for all involved was how do we best support our clients with what can be an incredibly difficult notification that can be absolutely anxiety causing, especially when they're already in very precarious circumstances and in need of our support," she said. There are currently 37 residents in the adult shelter, 16 in the family shelter and 12 at Layman Way, a recovery program run in partnership with the county. The shelter program is working with York County Community Action, Caring Unlimited, Sanford Housing Authority and United Way of Southern Maine to find alternative housing for residents. Deveaux was not able to say exactly when the programs will shut down because the board and staff are still working to determine next steps. York County Shelter Programs was established in 1980 and serves approximately 650 people facing homelessness each year. In addition to emergency shelter, the program combines support services for mental health, substance use treatment and employment training to help people move into affordable housing in the community. Biddeford Mayor Martin Grohman said losing the shelter is "a huge blow" that will impact communities across the county. Since Biddeford closed a major encampment last summer, the city has been working to address homelessness by bringing together outreach workers and service providers to assist people in need. It also partnered with Seeds of Hope to open an overnight warming shelter, but it does not offer beds for people to sleep in. At least three Biddeford residents are currently staying at the Alfred shelter, Grohman said. Grohman said the York County shelter has done a nice job of providing case management and support to residents to help them find stability and permanent housing. "Many people stay there 12 to 18 months, get really recalibrated and have a chance to bounce back," he said. "That's a key part of the ecosystem that we'll be missing. There's nobody else that does that." 'WHAT DO WE DO?' Goodreau, who arrived at the shelter last year, said this is the second time she has stayed at the Alfred shelter. Unlike some others who are staying there, she said she is lucky to have a car she can sleep in if she can't find somewhere else to stay. She has been working with a housing navigator, but has not been able to find an apartment she can afford and there are no housing vouchers available. "It's scary. I'm afraid for myself, but more so for the sick and the elderly who are here," she said. "They can't tent it. I don't want to go to an encampment and tent it." Goodreau said everyone at the shelter "is in chaos." They've been calling campgrounds and other shelters, but most are hesitant to go to the shelter in Portland, she said. "What do we do next Friday when they lock the doors and we have to get out?" she said. Lacey Merrifield and her husband, Chris Libby, see leaving the shelter next week as a devastating step back on their journey to overcome substance use issues, find good jobs and regain custody of their 5-year-old daughter. Before connecting with an outreach worker and moving into the shelter in February, they had been living in a tent in Sanford for eight months. They recently started working for the shelter as part of a program that trains people to work in kitchens. They were told Thursday that those jobs have ended. Libby, 46, said everyone at the shelter has become like family. He doesn't know what they'll do next Friday when they have to leave, but will figure it out. "This was really the light at the tend of the tunnel for us," Merrifield, 41, said. "We were so hopeless when we were homeless. Now we're starting again from scratch." Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
York County's only homeless shelter on brink of closure for lack of funds
May 2—The sole homeless shelter in York County is shutting down because it can no longer cover the cost of running its programs. York County Shelter Programs, a nonprofit in Alfred, laid off 20 of its 70 employees on Thursday and is working with other agencies to try to find new housing for the 65 people still staying at the shelter. The decision to suspend operations comes as shelter providers across the state push for additional state funding to cover the cost of operating homeless shelters. Kelli Deveaux, spokesperson for the agency's board of directors, said the decision to close is "gut-wrenching," especially as the need for shelter services grows. "Despite our collective efforts, and the gracious support of many donors, volunteers and partners in York County, the challenges faced by the organization have become insurmountable," she said. The news was devastating to residents staying in the shelter, who said they were notified Thursday and told they have to be out by noon on May 9. "I was just heartbroken. I was shocked because I didn't think a homeless shelter would close. I assumed I had a safe place to be," said Joanne Goodreau, 62, who has been staying at the shelter since she lost her housing in the Sanford area last November. The leaders of the program, along with directors of other shelters, have been trying to raise the alarm about the lack of funding for homeless shelters and other services. Emergency shelters in Maine receive $7 per night per bed in state funding, although a recent study by MaineHousing found the actual cost per bed is $102 per night. That widening gap must be covered by fundraising donations, an increasingly difficult task, Deveaux said. The York County shelter has an annual budget of $5 million. "We are in a financial situation in which it is impossible to cover even basic expenditures," Deveaux said. The board has not yet decided if the organization's food pantry will continue operating. The pantry feeds about 6,000 people each month and provides special food distributions for Thanksgiving and Christmas. FUNDING CHALLENGES The Maine Legislature is considering a bill that proposes a $5 million annual increase to the state's Emergency Shelter and Housing Assistance Program, used to help cover operating expenses and services at 40 emergency shelters around the state. The increase would bring state funding to $19 per bed per night. The program has been flat-funded in the state's general fund at $2.5 million since 2016. Shelter providers say the increase in funding is needed to sustain operations amid rising costs and the state's persistent housing crisis. Diane Small, executive director of the Sanford Housing Authority, testified in support of the bill, telling legislators that "a stable shelter network is essential for our work." "Without adequate emergency shelter options in York County, many individuals and families will have nowhere to go. This would lead to increased homelessness on our streets, greater strain on hospitals and first responders, and additional pressure on an already overburdened housing system," she said. "Our ability to help people transition into stable housing depends on having a functioning shelter system that ensures individuals are safe while we work to secure them permanent housing solutions." Deveaux said the board knows the closure will leave a gap in services in the county and hopes it can reopen at some point with additional funding and partnerships. "The primary concern for all involved was how do we best support our clients with what can be an incredibly difficult notification that can be absolutely anxiety causing, especially when they're already in very precarious circumstances and in need of our support," she said. There are currently 37 residents in the adult shelter, 16 in the family shelter and 12 at Layman Way, a recovery program run in partnership with the county. The shelter program is working with York County Community Action, Caring Unlimited, Sanford Housing Authority and United Way of Southern Maine to find alternative housing for residents. Deveaux was not able to say exactly when the programs will shut down because the board and staff are still working to determine next steps. York County Shelter Programs was established in 1980 and serves approximately 650 people facing homelessness each year. In addition to emergency shelter, the program combines support services for mental health, substance use treatment and employment training to help people move into affordable housing in the community. Biddeford Mayor Martin Grohman said losing the shelter is "a huge blow" that will impact communities across the county. Since Biddeford closed a major encampment last summer, the city has been working to address homelessness by bringing together outreach workers and service providers to assist people in need. It also partnered with Seeds of Hope to open an overnight warming shelter, but it does not offer beds for people to sleep in. At least three Biddeford residents are currently staying at the Alfred shelter, Grohman said. Grohman said the York County shelter has done a nice job of providing case management and support to residents to help them find stability and permanent housing. "Many people stay there 12 to 18 months, get really recalibrated and have a chance to bounce back," he said. "That's a key part of the ecosystem that we'll be missing. There's nobody else that does that." 'WHAT DO WE DO?' Goodreau, who arrived at the shelter last year, said this is the second time she has stayed at the Alfred shelter. Unlike some others who are staying there, she said she is lucky to have a car she can sleep in if she can't find somewhere else to stay. She has been working with a housing navigator, but has not been able to find an apartment she can afford and there are no housing vouchers available. "It's scary. I'm afraid for myself, but more so for the sick and the elderly who are here," she said. "They can't tent it. I don't want to go to an encampment and tent it." Goodreau said everyone at the shelter "is in chaos." They've been calling campgrounds and other shelters, but most are hesitant to go to the shelter in Portland, she said. "What do we do next Friday when they lock the doors and we have to get out?" she said. Lacey Merrifield and her husband, Chris Libby, see leaving the shelter next week as a devastating step back on their journey to overcome substance use issues, find good jobs and regain custody of their 5-year-old daughter. Before connecting with an outreach worker and moving into the shelter in February, they had been living in a tent in Sanford for eight months. They recently started working for the shelter as part of a program that trains people to work in kitchens. They were told Thursday that those jobs have ended. Libby, 46, said everyone at the shelter has become like family. He doesn't know what they'll do next Friday when they have to leave, but will figure it out. "This was really the light at the tend of the tunnel for us," Merrifield, 41, said. "We were so hopeless when we were homeless. Now we're starting again from scratch." Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
York County's only homeless shelter will close for lack of funds
May 2—The sole homeless shelter in York County is shutting down because it can no longer cover the cost of running its programs. The York County Shelter Programs in Alfred laid off 20 of its 70 employees on Thursday and is working with other agencies to try to find new housing for the 65 people still staying at the shelter. The decision to suspend operations comes as shelter providers across the state push for additional state funding to cover the cost of operating homeless shelters. Kelli Deveaux, spokesperson for the board of directors of the nonprofit agency, said the decision to close is "gut wrenching," especially as the need for shelter services grows. "Despite our collective efforts, and the gracious support of many donors, volunteers and partners in York County, the challenges faced by the organization have become insurmountable," she said. The leaders of the program, along with directors of other shelters, have been trying to raise the alarm about the lack of funding for homeless shelters and other services. Emergency shelters in Maine receive $7 per night per bed in state funding, although a recent study by MaineHousing found the actual cost per bed is $102 per night. That widening gap must be covered by fundraising donations, an increasingly difficult task, Deveaux said. The York County shelter has an annual budget for $5 million. "We are in a financial situation in which it is impossible to cover even basic expenditures," Deveaux said. The board has not yet decided if the organization's food pantry will continue operating. The pantry feeds about 6,000 people each month and provides special food distributions for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Maine Legislature is considering a bill that proposes a $5 million annual increase to the state's Emergency Shelter and Housing Assistance Program, used to help cover operating expenses and services at 40 emergency shelters around the state. The increase would bring state funding to $19 per bed nightly cost. The program has been flat-funded in the state's general fund at $2.5 million since 2016. Shelter providers say the increase in funding is needed to sustain operations amid rising costs and the state's persistent housing crisis. Diane Small, executive director of the Sanford Housing Authority, testified in support of the bill, telling legislators that "a stable shelter network is essential for our work." "Without adequate emergency shelter options in York County, many individuals and families will have nowhere to go. This would lead to increased homelessness on our streets, greater strain on hospitals and first responders, and additional pressure on an already overburdened housing system," she said. "Our ability to help people transition into stable housing depends on having a functioning shelter system that ensures individuals are safe while we work to secure them permanent housing solutions." Deveaux said the board knows the closure will leave a gap in services in the county and hopes it can reopen at some point with additional funding and partnerships. "The primary concern for all involved was how do we best support our clients with what can be an incredibly difficult notification that can be absolutely anxiety causing, especially when they're already in very precarious circumstances and in need of our support," she said. There are currently 37 residents in the adult shelter, 16 in the family shelter and 12 at Layman Way, a recovery program run in partnership with the county. The shelter program is working with York County Community Action, Caring Unlimited, Sanford Housing Authority and United Way of Southern Maine to find alternative housing for residents. Deveaux was not able to say exactly when the programs will shut down because the board and staff are still working to determine next steps. York County Shelter Programs was established in 1980 and serves approximately 650 people facing homelessness each year. In addition to emergency shelter, the program combines support services for mental health, substance use treatment and employment training to help people move into affordable housing in the community. This story will be updated. Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less
