News

All Portland emergency shelters at full capacity

All Portland emergency shelters at full capacity

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


Portland city officials say its shelters, the Expo and hotels providing emergency shelter to asylum seekers are all at full capacity.

According to CBS 13, a lack of affordable housing is making it difficult for asylum seekers to find other alternatives, forcing many people to live on the street with no shelter and limited access to food.

Patricio Massanga, a member of one of the 10 families who’ve been living on the streets of Portland for the last six days, translated for Muanza Joseph, who says they’re struggling to survive in Portland’s climate.

“Right now we don’t have anything. We don’t have anything that can help us to survive,” said Joseph. “We are suffering with kids outside. With the cold weather and no food.”

Landlord forms are being given to those in search of housing, but Massanga says there is no real help in doing this.

“The market is very high and the actual budget that the city is giving them is very low,” said Massanga.

City leaders are looking for help from surrounding communities and ask anyone to reach out if they have any available shelter space to offer.

Latest Headlines

3 hours ago in Local

Serious Crash in Windham Closes Road for Several Hours

Gray road was closed for several hours Tuesday night after the crash.

8 hours ago in Local

Flu Cases Surging in Maine

The state had low activity back in mid-December.

9 hours ago in Local

Eastern Maine Medical Center Requiring Staff to Wear Masks with Flu Surge

Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor is requiring all clinical staff to wear masks during patient care starting Wednesday.…

10 hours ago in Local

No threat found after Windham elementary school placed under heightened security

A secure status was briefly put in place at a Windham elementary school after a report of a suspicious person in a nearby neighborhood Tuesday morning.

10 hours ago in Local

Agents seize more than 16 pounds of meth, illegal gun in Waterville drug bust

Police say more than 16 pounds of methamphetamine were seized during a major drug bust in Waterville.