Maine Plans to Open New Shelter for Displaced Asylum Seekers

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The state of Maine plans to fund a short lived emergency shelter and renovated housing items in Portland, South Portland and Brunswick for asylum seekers, an adviser to the governor mentioned.

Senior Housing Adviser Greg Payne disclosed the plan as South Portland on Wednesday joined Portland in asserting it may now not assure housing for asylum seekers.

There can be an emergency shelter and renovated housing, with the state overlaying hire for as much as two years, he informed the Portland Press Herald.

Maine’s largest metropolis has struggled to deal with the homeless with the addition of about 350 households – roughly 1,200 individuals – in search of asylum. That is on high of 500 different adults experiencing homelessness.

Final week, 79 nonprofits urged the governor to take motion the state stage, saying “a coordinated, statewide effort is critical to satisfy the second.”

Payne mentioned an emergency shelter can be geared toward offering shelter for about 280 individuals who’ll be displaced from motel rooms in coming weeks with the arrival of summer time vacationers.

The lease and set-up prices can be funded by the state, however the shelter can be operated by town, he mentioned.

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