#sanfordme — Public Fediverse posts

Staying Warm in York County

"Currently, there is no warming center being operated in the City of #SanfordME.

"The State has provided funds to #SeedsOfHope in #BiddefordME to operate the #YorkCounty #WarmingCenter. For transportation assistance, individuals can contact the Sanford Police Department at 207-324-3644. Additionally, those seeking sheltering services are encouraged to contact York County Shelter Programs at 207-324-1137 for support.

"If you need shelter, please contact York County Shelter Programs—no one should be out in this cold, and they are here to help. The shelter has staff available 24/7 to discuss shelter options, help create a plan to get you inside, and answer any questions you may have. Please do not risk staying out in this cold. If you need a meal and a warm place to rest but do not wish to stay overnight, that is okay too.

"For those who have asked how to support the shelter: If you would like to donate supplies for the emergency shelter, the residents have compiled a wish list of items, available here: https://a.co/1vBdgcw.

"Monetary donations can be made online at www.yorkcountyshelterprograms.org or via Venmo at @ycsp-donations.

"Thank you for your support, and please stay warm!"

@newsbot

https://www.sanfordmaine.org/news_detail_T10_R141.php

#UnaffordableHousing #Homeless
#HousingCrisis #Maine #SouthernMaine #SanfordMaine #MainePol #Homelessness #WarmingShelters
#WinterIsComing

And why are folks using the abandoned Mill? Because the ONLY #WinterShelter was closed in 2024! Oh, and this is a PERFECT USE FOR OLD SCHOOLS!!!

#SanfordME - Some Find Housing After #WarmingCenter Closure

By Lee Burnett, Submissions Editor
May 3rd 2024

"The closing of the warming center at former Lafayette School on April 30, 2024, sent folks in four different directions, according to York County Shelter Programs. About half are getting beds indoors.

"Many people are going back to living in tents, such as at Heritage Crossing in the Mill Yard, according to YCSP’s Executive Director Megan Gean Gendron. Others are choosing to move to the emergency shelter on Shaker Hill in Alfred, the Layman Way Recovery Center on Route 4 in Alfred, or more permanent situations.

[...] "People returning to encampments are probably going to tents that were never taken down during the winter, according to Gendron. 'I think many people moving back kept their space there. There’s a community there. People watched over their stuff.'

[...]

"The shelter was at capacity of 44 every night in recent months and stayed open longer than other warming centers around the state, said Gean Gendron. 'We were one of the last to close,' she said. 'And we saw the justification for that in these last two April storms. If we had closed, we would have had a very dangerous situation.'

"Gendron said it’s too early to say what options exist for a warming center next winter [NONE!!!]. Lafayette School is not laid out well for meals service and overnight stays in zero gravity chairs. It’s centrally located, but there was some friction with the neighborhood. 'Lafayette School was not ideal, but it was available,' she said. 'Sanford needs to think very hard about this. Not just Sanford. Other communities.' "

@newsbot

Full article:
https://sanfordspringvalenews.com/some-find-housing-after-warming-center-closure/

#UnaffordableHousing #Homeless
#HousingCrisis #Maine #SouthernMaine #SanfordMaine #MainePol #Homelessness #WarmingShelters
#WinterIsComing

Fast forward to 2026...

Omitted from the Yahoo News version of the story...

"They actually live here. So all of you that are running for office out there, think about that. They live here. They have their whole lives just like you. They just encountered different circumstances than everyone sitting in this room," Sanford Police Chief Eric Small said.

#SanfordME council votes to close #HeritageCrossing indefinitely near abandoned mill

Wed, October 14, 2026 at 12:12 PM EDT

"Heritage Crossing will remain closed indefinitely following a Sanford City Council vote Tuesday night, as officials continue efforts to keep people out of the abandoned International Woolen Mill complex.

"Sanford police removed six people from the former mill on Tuesday and charged them with criminal trespassing, Sanford Police Chief Eric Small said during Tuesday's meeting. Three of those people had outstanding warrants and were taken to York County Jail.

"Despite signs and paint marking the property as a no-trespassing zone, police continue to encounter people entering the vacant buildings to seek shelter, Small said.

" 'What you're asking to approve tonight is important,' the police chief told city councilors before the vote. 'That we get it done, that we approve it, and we give the police and fire a tool to make sure nobody's down there.'

"The council's decision follows an emergency declaration issued last week by City Manager Steven Buck, who cited ongoing public safety concerns at the deteriorating mill complex, including structural hazards, fire risks, and repeated unauthorized access.

"Police and fire crews have responded repeatedly to reports of people entering and occupying the buildings. City officials have tried to secure the property by closing access points, but new entry points continue to appear.

"Officials have also expressed concern that colder weather could increase the likelihood of fires inside the vacant structures. A major fire could endanger nearby properties, emergency responders, and the surrounding Historic Mill District. A fire at the mill in October 2025 was ruled #arson.

"The city initially closed the portion of Heritage Crossing bordering the mill complex to vehicle and pedestrian traffic at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, as part of the emergency declaration. The closure was intended to establish a safety perimeter and allow city departments to secure the property.

"The indefinite closure approved Tuesday will keep the road shut as the city continues addressing safety concerns at the site."

@newsbot

Source:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/sanford-council-votes-close-heritage-161229454.html

#UnaffordableHousing #Homeless
#HousingCrisis #Maine #SouthernMaine #SanfordMaine #MainePol #Homelessness #WarmingShelters
#WinterIsComing

So, #Homeless folks were blamed for the fires. But there was some talk of the absent owner hiring people to start them!

#SanfordME - Officials Investigate Mill Fires

October 30th 2025
By Lee Burnett

"Homeless people apparently set multiple fires on the top floor of the vacant International Woolen Mill on Monday, according to the Sanford Fire Department.

"The fires are under investigation by Sanford Police and the Maine State Fire Marshal’s office.

"Fire was reported shortly before 9 a.m. with flames showing above the roof, according to Southern Maine Scanner Alerts. Firefighters discovered the fourth floor filled with smoke from 'four or five' fires, according to Assistant Chief Brian Watkins. Eventually, six ladder trucks arrived. Because of evidence of occupation by homeless people, 'the entire building had to be searched,' he said.

"It appears the fires were deliberately set using flooring, other scavenged materials and 'whatever they could find,' Watkins said. 'The police department knows all the players.'

"Sanford police declined comment on the fire and referred questions to the State Fire Marshal’s office. The State Fire Marshal’s office did not return messages by press time.

"Mario Frati of Miami, FL is the owner of the four-story, 90,000-square-foot building. At one time, he had ambitious plans to redevelop the building [into housing for the #Homeless ] in cooperation with the city, but relations deteriorated. Frati now owes five years of back taxes on the building, according to Tax Collector/Treasurer Erin McMann. As tax liens have matured, the city has waived the right to foreclose on the property, which she said is done when ownership involves adverse consequences."

@newsbot

Read more:
https://sanfordspringvalenews.com/officials-investigate-mill-fires/

#Arson #AbsentOwner #UnaffordableHousing #Homeless #HousingCrisis #Maine #SouthernMaine
#SanfordMaine #MainePol #Homelessness

[Thread] So, back in 2024, the city of #SanfordME cleared out a #HomelessEncampment in a wooded area near an abandoned mill. Since Sanford has NO #HomelessShelters (not even a #WarmingCenter), folks had no choice but to take up shelter in the nearby abandoned mill building. And, of course, there was a fire, though some of it was still standing. Despite repeated sweeps, folks kept coming back to the mill building (though now the city has closed off the street). And Sanford still has NO shelters or options for their #unhoused residents!

'They don't care': Sanford to dismantle homeless camp as residents face uncertain future

by WGME Staff, Mon, June 17, 2024

SANFORD (WGME) -- "Sanford city leaders say a homeless encampment at Heritage Crossing is a health hazard and they plan to dismantle it on Monday.

"But many of the 60 to 80 people living there, in tents and cars, say it's the only home they've got.

"They say the city has done nothing to help them.

" 'Trying to get #housing help is a joke because there is none. Why isn't the city doing something for us? Why do I have to live in my car like this? The city doesn't care. They don't care about any of us. We’re considered bad people, I guess,' said Roberta Doherty, a Sanford native who is living out a car.

"Sanford City Manager Steve Buck says case managers have been offering services and space at local shelters [OUT OF TOWN] to people living here. But he says many campers are unwilling to take them up on their offers.

" 'There is capacity to meet the anticipated needs for rehabilitative and shelter services provided individuals will accept the offer of services. It's not necessarily that there are 30 apartments waiting [BULLSHIT! THEY HAVEN'T EVEN BEEN BUILT], but there's shelter services that is not a tent in the woods,' Buck said.

"Those 30 apartments he's referring to are plans by the Sanford Housing Authority to build a new 30-unit apartment building with support services exclusively for people experiencing homelessness. [STILL WAITING...]"

cc: @newsbot

Read more:
https://wgme.com/news/local/maine-housing-crisis-sanford-to-dismantle-homeless-camp-as-residents-face-uncertain-future-homelessness-heritage-crossing-shelter

#UnaffordableHousing #HousingCrisis #Maine #SouthernMaine #SanfordMaine #MainePol #Homelessness #WarmingShelters