Neighbors Need ME

Friends, neighbors throughout Maine are living in fear now. ICE is striking fear into the hearts of long time Mainers and new Mainers alike. Now is the time to stand united and support those living in fear.

The encampment sweep (under the Casco Bay Bridge on Commercial St) is now set for Tuesday, Jan 2 at 8am. We are being asked to come bear moral witness to this action.

We have received word that the city has delayed the sweeps by one week. We will do our best to keep folks updated on this unfolding situation.

Tuesday morning yet another encampment in Portland is being cleared by authorities. We are being invited to come and be a prayerful witness during this time of pain. 7:30 am under the Casco Bay Bridge on Commercial Street in Portland. Clergy are invited to wear stoles, collars, yarmulkes, prayer shawls, or other clerical vestments indicating our role as clergy.

There is so much work that still needs to be done. Maine needs 84,000 new homes in the next 7 years, report finds
https://www.pressherald.com/2023/10/04/housing-report-says-maine-needs-to-build-more-fast/
(Via Press Herald)

Maine needs 84,000 new homes in the next 7 years, report finds The study is the first to examine the need for housing both now and in the future, and across all income levels statewide.

Housing is in crisis in Maine. Scenes from the affordable housing crisis
https://www.pressherald.com/2023/02/12/scenes-from-the-affordable-housing-crisis/
(Via Press Herald)

Scenes from the affordable housing crisis Rising rents and home prices are being felt across Maine – and forcing many Mainers to make difficult, costly and life-altering compromises.

Good steps in the right direction

State will fund 13 overnight warming shelters, including 3 in Portland
https://www.pressherald.com/2023/02/10/state-will-fund-13-overnight-warming-shelters-including-3-in-portland/
(Via Press Herald)

State will fund 13 overnight warming shelters, including 3 in Portland The funding includes warming shelters to be run by State Street Church, the Maine Immigrants Rights Coalition and Greater Portland Family Promise.

Testifying at South Portland City Council so the unhoused in this community don’t lose shelter in the next few weeks.

https://www.centralmaine.com/2023/01/13/homeless-in-maine-struggling-to-survive-even-with-a-paying-job/

Homeless in Maine: Struggling to survive even with a paying job Those who interact most closely with the homeless say it's a misconception that they don't want to work or try to help themselves.