City CouncilTuesday, November 3
Portland's City Council puts $735,000 in opioid settlement funds toward a winter warming shelter
The Daily Portland team
The City Council voted 5-4 Monday to use opioid settlement funds for a winter warming shelter. Many saw it as the better of two less-than-ideal options after an initial plan for a Bayside shelter fell through. NEWS CENTER Maine reports the vote sparked debate over funding sources and accessibility.
The shelter will run on opioid settlement money and MaineHousing funds
- $735,000
- in opioid settlement funds appropriated Monday
- 5-4
- was the council's vote
- About $300,000
- also coming from MaineHousing
Source: The Portland Press Herald
- Site: 166 Riverside Industrial Parkway, where last year's shelter ran
- Opening: possibly mid-December or later, after staff is hired and trained
The other option would have declared a limited emergency to expand the Homeless Services Center on Riverside Street. A staff memo said that would be cheaper and the beds would be available sooner. But staff said some people have criminal trespass orders keeping them out of the center, and a majority of councilors wanted a no-barrier option.
52people with trespass orders that bar them from the Homeless Services Center
Staff said their current housing status is unknown. The industrial park option would not turn them away.
Source: The Portland Press Herald
Sources: The Portland Press Herald, NEWS CENTER Maine