BIDDEFORD, Maine — Like it or not, winter is coming. Many Maine communities are thinking ahead about their plans to open warming shelters across the state.
MaineHousing is getting a head start by awarding $2 million to 12 overnight warming shelters. The goal is to help shelters expand the hours and resources they offer during colder months.
Seeds of Hope in Biddeford was awarded about $246,000. Executive Director Vassie Fowler says this will help fill a need.
"There was a gap in daytime hours because we close at 1 p.m. and the nighttime doesn't open until 7 p.m., and we are not open on Saturdays and Sundays," Fowler said.
With the grant money, the nonprofit can stay open longer during the winter, including on the weekends.
"For the warming center, it made sense for us to apply to expand those hours and to be able to offer a safe, warm space for our unhoused community," Fowler said.
Currently, the community room doubles as the overnight warming center among other uses.
With the funding, Fowler says they are able to use the money to help with costs to renovate the attic which will be the new space for the warming center.
"The space is half of what this is here and maybe even less than half, and this is going to be able to meet their needs better, give them more space, a little bit more privacy," Fowler said.
Marty Grohman is the mayor of Biddeford and recognizes the need for a warm space to stay during the colder months.
"We do not want anybody outside at any time throughout the year, but particularly if it's going to be zero degrees out," Grohman said.
Grohman says without the extra funding, there could have been a lapse in resources available to help those in need.
"I think without this funding, we would have seen gaps in our services, particularly through the winter, that would have been difficult," Grohman said. "So this is going to let us help so many more people and help them get into warm, safe housing."
Fowler says every year, more people have sought out the warming center at Seeds of Hope.
"Right now we go from anywhere from 20 to 35, 36," Fowlers said.
Adding that more space is needed as winter slowly approaches.
"As soon as that weather changes, that number will change, and we will put 60 spots up here and I think still have plenty of room," Fowler said.
Fowler says the updated warming center will be open around mid-November.