The state of Maine is in desperate need of more housing and emergency shelters for both asylum seekers and individuals who are homeless. Advocates for the Homeless crisis are asking the state of Maine to consider temporary shelters for asylum seekers in unused college dorms.

According to the Portland Press Herald, this question arose during an Emergency Shelter Assessment Committee meeting. This meeting was held regarding the homeless epidemic in the state of Maine. This meeting consisted of individuals such as groups of social services providers, government representatives, and advocates seeking to ensure the safety of those without a place to live.

Cullen Ryan, the executive director, spoke on this matter at Community Housing of Maine. “If we can encourage big picture moves to support asylum seekers more effectively using dorms or other locations, I think that would be a big win for the community,”

Unfortunately, in a few cases, unused dorms in Maine are not up to regulation and are unsuitable for individuals to reside in. For example, both Portland and the Gorham University of Southern Maine locations have open dorms, with one dorm in Gorham that has been vacant for eight years, the issue being this building would require 40 million dollars’ worth of ‘significant rehabilitation’ to house anyone.

The absence of shelter drew more attention and is gaining more activation for change after the city of Portland cleared a homeless encampment this past week with over 80 tents.

In attempts to assist, The Emergency Shelter Assessment Committee voted unanimously to send a request to state officials asking them to investigate possibly using unoccupied college dorms for temporary housing.