Long-term structural change will take time; a number of laudable new initiatives around the state acknowledge that reality.
homelessness
Augusta eyes using remaining pandemic relief money to help shelter homeless for the winter
Some city councilors say Augusta needs a year-round, full-time homeless shelter, but they would agree to provide some city funds to temporarily provide a place for the homeless to sleep during the winter months.
Commentary: Jailing people for sleeping in public is no solution to homelessness
The U.S. already has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Arresting people who have no options left is just adding another tier of disenfranchisement.
RSU 9 names new chairperson
Director Gwen Doak of Wilton will also be replacing Debbie Smith of Weld as vice chair following the Regional School Unit 9 board of directors vote on Tuesday, July 11.
They couldn’t find an apartment in Portland. So they got a bus.
But after two years, it hasn’t been the adventurous solution Jeremy and Taylor Michelson had imagined. Their home has been idled outside a U-Haul facility, racking up thousands of dollars in parking tickets.
Central Mainers saw dirty sleeping bags in the trash, so they started washing them in their homes
Augusta-area volunteers are helping meet the needs of the homeless community, and reduce waste, through a new sleeping bag swap program.
Augusta officials, building owners reach deal that highlights difficulty of providing safe, affordable housing in city
Code violations at the Edwards Inn at 53 Water St. have prompted discussion about code violations and providing much-needed low-income housing in Augusta.
Commentary: The solution to ending encampments is shelter
Maine must first commit to providing the most basic of needs: a roof over every head.
Our View: Sound responses to homelessness in Maine can start small
A realistic, constructive approach acknowledges the stubborn reality of homelessness and works to improve people’s living arrangements in minor ways as well as major.
Could Maine’s college dorms help solve the homelessness crisis?
A group of advocates and officials said Thursday that they will ask the state to look into opening unused dorms for temporary housing.