PORTLAND, Maine (AP) – Portland officials are considering a new 200-bed homeless center on city-owned land near a facility that provides nursing and rehabilitation services.
City Manager Jon Jennings tells the Portland Press Herald he’d like to build the new facility near the Barron Center campus. It would replace the Oxford Street Shelter.
Oxford Street Shelter Director Rob Parritt says a bigger center would help more people and allow his staff to better work with service agencies that provide health and dental care. He estimates the new shelter will cost about $10 million.
The decision comes as a growing number of residents are demanding the Oxford Street Shelter be moved due to drug and alcohol activities.
Jennings will present his recommendation next week to the City Council’s Health & Human Services and Public Safety Committee.
