BIDDEFORD, Maine — City leaders in Biddeford say they're doing what they can to support the unhoused population, but many say the journey to find a place to stay continues to be an uphill climb.
More than 100 people once called Mechanics Park home, until the city banned public camping and cleared the area, displacing those who lived there. One of those women, Liz Levan, is living a parent's nightmare. At 30 weeks pregnant, she's afraid when the time comes to give birth, she won't be able to provide for her child.
"I wish I was in an apartment now, setting up a nursery for my baby, instead of being out here on the street," Levan said, through tears.
Many of the people who were living at the encampments were only offered one feasible option by the city—the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center.
"It was kind of like you take hundreds of people and just scatter them because a lot of people won't go to Seeds," Levan said.
Seeds of Hope is where Levan and her boyfriend find shelter every night, but it's not really a shelter, but rather a day center that has adapted to offer overnight care. Because of that, they cannot offer the same level of care as an official shelter.
For example, Levan is one of 20 to 30 people who sleep on gravity chairs each night because they aren't allowed real beds. Levan sees this solution as an insult and believes the city rushed to sweep the encampments before a longer-term plan was in place.
"I think they really do have the money to get the resources together to where you're just throwing it on one organization and making them do it all," Levan said.
The executive director for Seeds of Hope, Vassie Fowler, said she would not feel comfortable asking the city for more money.
"They've made the commitment. They're doing all they're able to do. It's just—construction takes time," Fowler said.
Fowler said the city gave Seeds of Hope $800 thousand to fund construction that will improve the living conditions there, but it will never be an official shelter—something she said has its benefits.
"The shelter programs have all these rules that I don't have. The only thing I want to know is your first name."
The classification allows Seeds of Hope to offer lower barriers for entry, while also skirting restrictions the city might impose.
"I don't know if the city of Biddeford will ever have a shelter because I don't know the residents would ever approve that," Fowler said.
As of now, the city has no plans to build a homeless shelter, and representatives said there never were plans. A representative for the city said their goal with Seeds of Hope was to "ensure folks had access to a safe indoor overnight location as soon as possible." They also said they are working closely with local organizations to help those staying at Seeds of Hope find more permanent housing options.
However, none of those attempts have worked yet for Levan.
"It's just like one frustration after the other. We go see a place, can't afford it. I can't afford an apartment that costs more than $1,000 per month," Levan explained.
Whether you call it a shelter or not, Levan said Seeds of Hope is the only home she's been able to find. But it will no longer be an option in a couple of months when she has her baby.
Fowler said they're very well aware and are working on it, against a ticking clock.
"She's on my team's top of the list because we recognize if we don't come up with a plan, she may not retain custody of her child," Fowler said.