Biddeford city councilors are starting to consider potential changes to simultaneously assist homeless residents and cut down on public camping throughout the city.

General Assistance Administrator Jake Hammer made a presentation during Tuesday’s City Council meeting that covered the fiscal impact of homelessness on the city and outlined staff recommendations for the future. 

Those recommendations included continuing funding for a warming shelter, starting conversations about opening another shelter and considering a ban on camping in public places.

Hammer said Seeds of Hope, an overnight warming shelter funded primarily by the city, is the most important piece of the city’s homelessness management efforts. 

“It’s the primary driver in getting people into independent housing,” he said. 

But Seeds of Hope is also the most expensive aspect of homelessness response, costing nearly $500,000 in each of the past two fiscal years.

Hammer urged councilors to continue funding Seeds of Hope, warning that choosing not to do so would increase General Assistance costs for the city while leading to a spike in both outdoor camps and 911 calls.

“It’s the only overnight space in the county,” Hammer said. “Losing it would certainly put a large service burden on the city. It would cause a lot of health issues for those who have been staying there. And it would cause a lot of economic impact for the downtown corridor.” 

In addition, Hammer asked the council to consider adopting a camping ordinance that would prohibit camping on public property citywide. 

Such an ordinance would give the city the ability to manage situations before they get out of hand, Hammer said, referencing the Water Street encampment that was cleared in 2024. 

“Cleanups are costly,” Hammer said. “If the city can mitigate a situation before it requires a large-scale cleanup, there would be financial benefits.” 

If Seeds of Hope were to close and public camping was made illegal, Councilor Abigail Woods asked, “Where would those experiencing homelessness go?” 

Hammer suggested starting a conversation about opening a formal overnight shelter, which would take the burden off Seeds of Hope. 

“I think it’s important to look into that option,” Councilor Dylan Doughty said. “It’s a regional issue.” 

Councilor Lisa Vadnais said while she thinks shelters are critical, she believes there is a larger issue at hand. 

“There’s not enough mental health and addiction help out there,” she said. “That’s the real issue.” 

The council is expected to vote on funding for Seeds of Hope and to begin formal discussions about opening a regional shelter at its next meeting May 5.