SOUTH PORTLAND (WGME)– An organization dedicated to helping the homeless says it is not running any temporary shelters in South Portland.
This is in direct response to a letter from the city manager sent to some residents and businesses.
As CBS13 reported Thursday, the letter connected a significant increase in crime to some local hotels. It specifically named the four hotels that have been housing the homeless and asylum seekers.
The letter from the city manager goes on to say that Preble Street has been operating one of them: the Days Inn.
But now the organization says that’s not true.
Preble Street says the City of Portland is providing emergency shelter at the four hotels, such as the Days Inn. And that specific hotel is fully operated by the City of Portland.
The non-profit says it is just helping with other support services. That includes providing 400 meals a day to the people staying at the Days Inn.
But that’s the extent of their involvement, according to a statement to CBS13.
“We are thankful that city and state funding has allowed families and individuals a safe place to stay inside, as the alternative would be a crisis situation of unsheltered homelessness this winter and beyond,” Preble Street Vice President of Social Work Andrew Bove said.
Bove says they know that shelters work best when staffed by professional social workers who help individuals and families connect to needed resources such as medical, mental health and substance use treatment providers, housing resources and more.
“These services have a positive impact on people’s stability and lead to a reduction in the need for emergency supports. We are in the process of hiring staff to provide this type of outreach at the Comfort Inn and hope to provide that support as soon as possible,” Bove said.
The organization says it is looking forward to participating in a community discussion next week.
But not everyone is invited to this meeting. The city manager’s letter was only sent to certain residents and businesses near the hotels.
CBS13 checked with the city’s legal department and they say the city is allowed to have a closed meeting like this because it’s not being done through the city council.
The city says it’s keeping the meeting to this small, select group because they want to hear from those residents who are directly impacted.
