Maine's Homelessness Rises as Shelter Funding Stagnates

Organizers from Homeless Voices for Justice held a quiet protest Wednesday at the State House to highlight the ongoing homeless crisis in Maine following the closure of the sole emergency shelter in York County last week.

The York County Shelter, operated by the nonprofit organization known as the York County Shelter Program, was compelled to shut down due to financial difficulties, which resulted in 37 individuals being displaced. This facility had served the community for 45 years prior to closing.

The participants of the quiet protest laid out sleeping mats on the grassy area in front of the capitol building to symbolize the 37 individuals who lost their homes because of the shutdown.

Roland Morse was among those without homes staying at the York County Shelter. He mentioned that he learned about the closure of the shelter via a text message when he was recuperating from a medical issue in the hospital.

Morse mentioned that upon hearing the news, he experienced feelings of rejection.

He stated, 'The entire range of emotions in this book moved me so deeply that I ended up crying non-stop for sixty minutes.'

He mentioned that he believes state legislators fail to grasp the importance of funding for homeless shelters.

The state has always been aware of our homelessness issue," Morse stated. "I don't believe they comprehend, full stop, as they would have taken action otherwise.

The Seeds of Hope shelter relocated Morse.

Representative Michele Meyer from Eliot, a Democrat, stated that the expenses and needs for housing facilities and assistance programs for homeless individuals in the state keep increasing; however, the financial backing provided by the state for these emergency accommodations has not changed.

She mentioned that over 4,000 Mainers are facing homelessness, yet the state has just 1,200 shelter beds at disposal.

Data from MaineHousing's The homeless interactive dashboard indicates that homelessness rose statewide by 35 percent within a single year, with York County experiencing an increase of 88 percent during the same period.

The sole emergency shelter in Aroostook County, known as Homeless Services for Aroostook, faces the possibility of shutting down.

"Without that shelter's services, some residents of the county are over five and a half hours away from the next nearest shelter," Meyer said.

Rosalini Moore, who experienced homelessness at 22 when her mother died, leaving her to care for her four siblings, is now the executive director of Home Inc. The organization oversees four shelters in Hancock County.

Moore said the data showing increases in homelessness only reaffirms the need for more funding and support for emergency shelters.

Moore suggested that much of this information highlights a pressing need, particularly when considering extensive geographical areas. He emphasized that addressing these challenges requires systematic planning and supporting our current service initiatives.