SANFORD – A month ago Sanford city officials and those associated with a number of social service agencies came together to find ways to assist city’s homeless population.

Sanford Police Department assigned a five-person team to assist those living outside, and the social service agencies worked together to open a Resource Hub on Sept. 6, where people could get medical attention, be referred to shelter programs, and receive information on a number of other avenues of assistance.

Many accepted, though some did not. On Sept. 17, City Manager Steve Buck updated the Sanford City Council on the progress made so far, and said that as of that afternoon, the last half-dozen people have moved from a site at Heritage Crossing.

While the city has had a transient population for some time, those camped near a parking lot on Heritage Crossing in the mill district – and near downtown – became more visible this summer. Late last week, several people camping there moved on, with about half-a-dozen remaining. Authorities said some of those who claimed that they were leaving gave permission for the city to remove the items they left behind, and other sites had been abandoned. The city cleared those specific sites  at the Heritage Crossing encampment on Friday.

Now. the last few people who were living there  have left and the remainder of the property has been cleared of debris – 40 yards of it in all, Buck said. As well, “no trespassing’ signs have been placed around the property, which becomes a park and ride in the winter for those who work at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery.

“The past two weeks have accomplished a number of milestones in providing resources and assistance to people who were camped outside in Sanford,” said Buck in a report to the city council on Tuesday.

Buck told the council that since the effort began to help the city’s homeless population change their situation, 10 people have received medical treatment through Nasson Healthcare and Enso Recovery. As well, a family of four was placed at the family shelter operated by York County Shelter Programs, and 11 others have obtained housing through YCSP.

He said a family of three has been placed through the city’s General Assistance Program and that the city is assisting one person, who has a housing voucher, locate a rental unit. As well, two people have gone to a detoxification program in Portland, Buck said.

The police department team of five headed by Detective Eric Small was formed to help where they could, doing everything from driving individuals to medical appointments, assisting them get identification cards, finding footwear for those who didn’t have any, and more.

The family of three that Buck noted had received help was among the six people remaining after several moved or abandoned their campsites at Heritage Crossing last week. The location of the remaining three is unknown, said Small, though one of them told authorities he planned to contact a family member, although he has said that before.

“Everyone was treated very humanely,” said Small of the city’s homeless.

Now, the focus is expected to shift to those living outside in other locations, to try and assist them even as fall and winter approach.

“There are still people walking around Sanford with problems,” Small noted.

Buck said that those living in the vicinity of Notre Dame Cemetery in Springvale work during the day, so outreach will be made in the evening.

“It is anticipated that other known and or anticipated locations will gain focus at this juncture to ensure that all individuals are reached and resources are made available,” said Buck. “As to the question of what happens after Oct.1, the city continues to make contact, triage, and connect people in need with the resources needed to address their unique circumstances.”

Updated figures were not available on Wednesday, but as of Friday, 26 people had visited the Resource Hub, which has since closed.  York County Community Action Corporation and other agencies involved in the Resource Hub are continuing to work with police and city leaders on providing outreach, said Mesha Quinn of YCCAC.

“I want thank the folks working on the homeless issue,” said Mayor Tom Cote on Tuesday. “Clearly it was a very trying issue, and to have so much of it, in a way, resolved this quickly is a testament to the work and time those folks have put in, and Officer Small in particular. The dedication he has had throughout this is tremendous, and I thank him and (Buck) and entire organization for making that happen, all for the betterment of the lives of those people.”

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.

Copy the Story Link

Comments are not available on this story.