We are at a tipping point for homelessness in Waterville. With the continued shortage of affordable housing, the end to COVID-era relief funding, and temperatures dropping steadily, we need to balance compassion and common sense in our response to supporting our unhoused residents.
Waterville is an outlier when it comes to homelessness response. While many municipalities are sweeping encampments, Waterville has taken a more community-minded approach, relying on the collaboration of public safety departments and our local non-profit organizations.
The Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter and Services is the only low-barrier shelter between Portland and Bangor. They are also one of the largest, with 75 beds for adults, including services such as case management and housing navigation. As of Nov. 1, they are operating a warming shelter in the overnight hours for anyone who needs a safe, warm place to sleep for the night. Guests are offered a shower and a meal. People can sleep next to their partner, and they can bring their animal companions with them; all guests are required to be “good housemates,” whether they are human or animal. MMHSS is also providing Diversion services to help people find a safe place to live with relatives or other natural supports: 207-872-8082.
For some individuals, especially chronically homeless people, it can be difficult to come inside, even for the night. In March 2023, the city of Waterville hired a community outreach coordinator, working with the police department to engage people living in unsafe conditions. As a result, many people have been connected to services, entered the shelter, received a housing voucher, and are on the path to finding greater stability. Police and fire departments are
coordinating with MMHSS and Kennebec Behavioral Health to provide regular outreach to ensure the well-being of people and encourage connections to services.
During the day, the Lighthouse, operated by the Waterville Area Soup Kitchen, provides a safe space for people to find a hot meal and a warm welcome. It has also become a gathering place where city officials, social workers and unhoused people regularly meet. Many of us have had the chance to get to know “the homeless” as the individuals they are: people with heartbreaking histories and enormous challenges. Many have serious untreated physical and mental health issues, have grown up in poverty, or fell into it through failed relationships, an injury, bad luck — most often a combination. They have tremendous strength, resourcefulness, humor, and dreams for the future. The Morning Sentinel has also featured stories and photos that have helped us see the humanity of our unhoused neighbors as people who are deserving and worthy.
Many concerned area residents have expressed the desire to help, which is wonderful. But providing tents, propane heaters and other equipment to enable people to remain outside during the winter, runs counter to the city plan developed to tackle this difficult issue. On Nov. 8, the City Council adopted a homeless response plan that relies on the collaboration of city departments and our non-profit partners to bring people inside.
We must continue to rely on the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter as the frontline warming center. Our new building at 46 Front St. (the Annex) will serve as a temporary shelter during serious weather-related emergencies, staffed with trained volunteers. General assistance and the shelter’s diversion services are available to prevent people from becoming homeless. The City has also provided ARPA funds to several non-profit organizations that are part of our support network for homeless and hungry neighbors. These include the Waterville Area Soup Kitchen, the Waterville Area Food Bank, the Winslow Community Cupboard, and Starfish Village.
If you are looking for ways to help people struggling to survive in the outdoors this winter, please don’t buy a tent on Amazon: donate to the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter, or one of these organizations working to keep people fed and housed, with a sustainable path for long term housing stability. Consider volunteering at one of the organizations above, or training to assist with the city’s emergency shelter services program. Call 207-680-4204 for more information.
Waterville has a lot to be proud of in our response to homelessness in our community, but we need to work together with all the resources we have available to bring people indoors, where people can live with safety and dignity. Every single member of our community deserves nothing less.
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