PORTLAND — A public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. tonight at City Hall on a draft report to end homelessness.
The task force, created by the City Council last fall, recommends centralizing the intake process at shelters, building three 35-unit housing complexes with in-house supportive services for tenants, and expanding case management services to align with the clients’ needs, rather than what is reimbursable.
The report acknowledges that it would take “a significant investment on the part of many different organizations” to implement its recommendations. But the report says the plan could save roughly $2.2 million annually in emergency care, including shelter, ambulance calls, emergency room visits and jail nights.
Tonight’s public hearing will take place in the State of Maine room at City Hall.
The draft report is available on the city’s website. The report is expected to be presented to the council on Oct. 15.
The task force was led by former City Councilor Dory Waxman, Maine Red Claws President and General Manager Jon Jennings and United Way of Greater Portland President and Chief Executive Officer Suzanne McCormick.
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