Tedford Housing

Empowering people to move from homelessness to home.

An Update on the Moratorium on Shelters in Brunswick and What’s Coming Next

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On Monday, March 4th, the Brunswick Town Council held a public hearing on extending the current moratorium on building shelters. After several community members voiced their concerns with the time it has taken for the town to make a decision on a zoning ordinance for shelters, most in full support of Tedford Housing, a vote was not taken. The vote on extending the moratorium is now expected to occur on March 18th when all council members will be present. Following are the meeting documents posted on the town’s website today:

It is our understanding that the next step in this process, once a vote to extend the moratorium is complete, is for the town council to review a comprehensive list of possible performance standards that would go into effect for shelters along with the zoning ordinance. The council will review each standard and vote to keep or reject each standard, line by line. Both the zoning ordinance and the performance standards will need to be voted on, with public hearings, in order to be finalized.

There was an excellent turnout of Tedford Housing supporters at this last meeting. We hope to see more of this as we keep moving forward in this long process. If you are looking for ways in which to show your support for Tedford’s comprehensive and important approach to creating pathways from homelessness to home in our community, here are a few actions steps you can take:

  • Attend upcoming meetings and workshops and consider speaking about how valuable a resource Tedford is to the community. The Brunswick Town Council meets on the first and third Monday at 6:30pm. (You can find posted agendas from the town here or look for updates on our website here. We are guessing there may be 3 – 5 more meetings before a zoning ordinance and any performance standard is finalized.)
  • If you are a Brunswick resident, you can contact your town council representative directly (a list of members can be found here).
  • Write a letter to the editor of The Times Record (find guidelines here)

Here are a few talking points to consider:

  • Tedford Housing’s vision will help reduce the high amount of individuals and families turned away every month, while also increasing efficiencies in delivering our essential programs and services. (Our FY2018 program and financial stats can be found here.)
  • A comprehensive approach will result in the reduced risk of homelessness in the Brunswick area community, a faster return to housing stability for youth, adults and families, healthier households and increased self-sufficiency.
  • It is important that Brunswick, as a regional center, includes districts that allow services to help our neighbors who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
  • Any performance standard must be reasonable and should not single out shelters. Tedford is an organization that has been in the community for over 30 years and is already held to a number of best practices and other accountabilities through Maine Housing and other funding resources.

If you have any questions regarding Tedford Housing, this project or anything related to the zoning ordinance process, contact executive director Craig Phillips at 207-729-1161, #102 or craig@tedfordhousing.org.

A Letter to Tedford’s Supporters

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As you may know, the Brunswick Town Council has held two workshops to review reports and recommendations from the Brunswick Planning Board and Shelter Task Force regarding the town’s zoning ordinance for shelters. (You can find information on the history of and our vision for the Tedford Housing Resource Center project here and updates regarding Town Council meetings here.)

On Monday, March 4 at 6:30 pm, the Brunswick Town Council will hold a public hearing on extending the moratorium on shelters.

Now is the time to share your thoughts with town council members regarding this ordinance process – which will reach one year’s time in March – and voice your support for Tedford Housing’s comprehensive and important approach to creating pathways from homelessness to home in our community. (Read more about our comprehensive approach to homelessness in Brunswick.)

As a Tedford Housing supporter, we are asking you to help advocate for our neighbors in need of Tedford’s services by attending upcoming meetings and workshops and consider speaking about how valuable a resource Tedford is to the community. As a Brunswick resident, you can also contact your town council representative directly (a list of members can be found here). You may also consider writing a letter to the editor of The Times Record (find guidelines here).

Keep your message personal and be sure to share why you support Tedford Housing. Here are a few talking points to help get you started:

  • Tedford Housing’s vision will help reduce the high amount of individuals and families turned away every month, while also increasing efficiencies in delivering our essential programs and services. (Our FY2018 program and financial stats can be found here.)
  • A comprehensive approach will result in the reduced risk of homelessness in the Brunswick area community, a faster return to housing stability for youth, adults and families, healthier households and increased self-sufficiency.
  • It is important that Brunswick, as a regional center, includes districts that allow services to help our neighbors who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
  • Any licensing standard must be reasonable and should not single out shelters. Tedford is an organization that has been in the community for over 30 years and is already held to a number of best practices and other accountabilities through Maine Housing and other funding resources.

If you have any questions regarding Tedford Housing, this project or anything related to the zoning ordinance process, contact me at 207-729-1161, #102 or craig@tedfordhousing.org.

Craig Phillips, Executive Director

Clarifying Tedford Housing’s proposed emergency housing program

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The following letter to the editor was written by Craig Phillips, executive director of Tedford Housing, and published in The Times Record on January 21, 2019.

I am writing in response to the Jan. 10 article in The Times Record, titled “Residents ‘overwhelmingly’ oppose new homeless shelter in their neighborhood.” After reading it, I would like to clarify Tedford Housing’s plan for a new facility and programming.

Tedford Housing’s current plan, subject to the final Brunswick zoning ordinance amendment process and other considerations, proposes to build one facility to serve both individuals and families.  The facility would replace our current emergency housing facilities, which would be sold or converted into other residential uses and no longer be run by Tedford Housing. The plan is not, and never has been, to construct a third facility. 

The plan proposes a new facility to serve a total of 28 adults and 12 families, modestly serving a portion of the 354 individuals and 228 families we were unable to serve this past fiscal year.  

Though a number of statements have been made recognizing the need to address homelessness in the area during this zoning process, I do not agree with the statement that “…the town is going to have many places in which it is going to be possible for people to develop facilities to address this need.” 

The end result of this process will be to provide Tedford Housing and other potential providers with conditionally permitted zoning districts in town on which to site a facility. Further, current zoning descriptions and density are anticipated to further limit potential zoning districts. 

Finally, Tedford Housing receives a great deal of support from Brunswick and adjoining communities. Though the zoning amendment process is about the ordinance and not a specific provider, Tedford has always sought to be, and is, a good neighbor. The proposed design for case management services linked with emergency housing beds provides this area with a proven model assisting people move from homelessness to home. 

This comprehensive approach will result in the reduced risk of homelessness in the Brunswick area community, a faster return to housing stability for youth, adults and families, healthier households and increased self-sufficiency. 

An Update on the Tedford Housing Resource Center Project

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To meet the growing needs in our community, Tedford Housing’s current plans remain the same: to build a facility that combines adequate shelter beds with key onsite community resources.

A comprehensive approach will result in the reduced risk of homelessness in the Brunswick area community, a faster return to housing stability for youth, adults and families, healthier households and increased self-sufficiency.

With that said, the next 3 – 4 months are critical to make our vision for the Tedford Housing Resource Center (THRC) a reality.

Where we are

On September 17, 2018, the Brunswick Town Council voted to extend a moratorium by six months that further prevents Tedford Housing from moving forward on its THRC project. This vote comes as a previous six month moratorium comes to an end on September 25th.

How we got here

While Tedford Housing was in the process of purchasing land for the THRC several months ago, it was found that the town of Brunswick did not include a definition of shelter housing in the recently drafted Brunswick Zoning Ordinance. As a result, the Brunswick Town Council, in conjunction with community stakeholders and the Planning Board, created a task force that guided the process of defining what a “homeless shelter” is and where one can be located in town.

The 3 member Shelter Task Force visited Tedford Housing’s current emergency facilities as well as a combined facility in Waterville. Meetings were held on many Wednesday afternoons, with presentations by staff, discussion amongst the task force members, and input from the public, including Tedford Housing. You can find more information the task force and their work on the Shelter Task Force website.

Where this vote leaves us

Though we are unable to move forward with our plans to consolidate our two emergency shelters and administrative offices in the location we had originally planned at 62 Pleasant Hill Road, we remain committed to serving our neighbors who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Once the updated zoning ordinance is finalized, Tedford Housing will continue to search for an appropriate site.

Next steps

The Shelter Task Force is expected to present its recommendations to the Planning Board and Town Council on October 1, 2018 (6:30pm at the council chambers on 85 Union Street, Brunswick). The tentative completion date for a final zoning ordinance decision is December 2nd. We hope the members of the town council and planning board will complete their work in less than six months.

What you can do

Talking points

  • Homelessness is a local challenge.
  • Some of our neighbors in Brunswick and the surrounding communities are, unfortunately, homeless often brought about by a single crisis event such as a car breaking down or a health emergency.
  • The current emergency housing facility capacity in the Brunswick area is inadequate to meet the need.
  • The communities and the Town of Brunswick do recognize the need and do recognize that the community and partners have a responsibility to create a system of services and facilities to provide “…refuge and a bridge between homelessness and residency in a suitable fixed location.”
  • A model of a homeless service system with services integrated with housing provides a much more productive pathway from homelessness to home, addressing its root causes.
  • Inappropriate and fear based profiling and creating a “class of people” is not doing justice to real people with real challenges.
  • Homeless is a temporary condition and does not define the person or the family.
  • A mental illness or a substance abuse disorder does not define the person or a class of people.

In the words of executive director, Craig Phillips:

“As the council and planning board proceed with their work, our hope is that the discussion focus on responsibly facilitating the development of shelter facilities, and recognize that programs such as Oasis Free Clinics, The Gathering Place and Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program are not burdens on the community but are valuable resources and assets for assisting the community to address and help real people with real needs.”

 

Press Release: Atlantic Federal Credit Union Supports Tedford Housing Through Ending Hunger in Maine Campaign

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Chris Leclerc, Topsham’s Atlantic Federal Credit Union branch manager, presents a check to Craig Phillips, executive director of Tedford Housing.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jennifer Iacovelli, jennifer@tedfordhousing.org. 207-729-1161, ext. #101

BRUNSWICK, Maine (September 22, 2016) – Atlantic Federal Credit Union‘s Topsham branch recently presented a donation of $625 to Tedford Housing, a Brunswick-based nonprofit that provides shelter, housing, and services that empower homeless adults, children and families in need. The donated funds were raised through the credit union’s Ending Hunger in Maine campaign.

Atlantic Federal Credit Union raised funds for the Maine Credit Union League’s Ending Hunger in Maine campaign internally throughout 2015. On a weekly basis, employees donated funds to dress down and support this worthy cause. From their raised funds, Atlantic donated to local charitable organizations to help better the communities that they serve.

Atlantic Federal Credit Union CEO/President Roger Sirois stated, “Not only is Atlantic focused on helping our members do better and improve their financial quality of life, but we want to help our communities do better. Atlantic is proud to support the Tedford Housing initiatives to help those in need.”

“Tedford Housing relies on the support and partnership of the business community to find lasting solutions to the challenges of homelessness,” said Craig Phillips, Tedford Housing’s executive director. “We appreciate Atlantic Federal Credit Union’s generous donation alongside some of our community partners and its efforts to address the issue of hunger locally.”

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Tedford Housing works together with people in their communities to find lasting solutions to the challenges of homelessness. We provide shelter, housing, and services that empower adults, children and families in need. For more information, call 207-729-1161 or visit www.tedfordhousing.org.

Atlantic Federal Credit Union has a growing membership of more than 20,000 Mainers, $300 million in assets and locations in Brunswick, Cumberland, Freeport and Topsham. For more information on Atlantic Federal Credit Union, visit www.atlanticfcu.com.

PO Box 958, Brunswick ME 04011