York County's only homeless shelter on brink of closure for lack of funds
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."
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