PORTLAND, Maine — Some 300 people attended Preble Street's conference on homelessness Thursday, where they were informed about complex factors that contribute homelessness and innovative solutions that can be used to address the growing state and nationwide issue.
Those who work closely with people who make up the unhoused community sat on several panels at the conference.
Many panelists elaborated on factors that contribute to the homelessness crisis in Maine and other states. Some of those factors include the lack of affordable housing and accessible emergency shelter, inconsistent shelter funding, an increase in unsheltered individuals, and rising numbers of people needing support for substance use disorders and behavioral health issues.
Panelists also shared that encampment sweeps are not effective in addressing homelessness, noting that investing in Housing First models has been proven as effective.
Housing First is an approach that prioritizes providing permanent housing to people who are unhoused.
Noah Fay, the housing director of the Downtown Emergency Services Center in Seattle, Washington, said that Housing First is the evidence-based solution to addressing homelessness.
"The problem is we don't have nearly enough of it, and there's not enough to turn off the factors that cause homelessness in the first place," Fay said.
Despite successes of housing organizations in Maine like Preble Street and programs like Housing First and similar programs across the country, homelessness still continues to cripple communities far and wide.
Fay explained that the rising cost of housing leaves more people without stable living. He said oftentimes substance abuse is referred to as a cause of homelessness, but instead, he believes it only exacerbates the issue.
"You can still have a significant and serious substance abuse issue in the community, which I acknowledge many communities do, including mine, but because we don't have enough affordable housing, that leads to a homelessness crisis, not the other way around," Fay said.
Mark Swann, the executive director of Preble Street, said issues with homelessness in Maine have rapidly increased in a very short time.
"We are seeing homelessness on the street and in parks and under bridges like we never saw in Maine," Swann said.
He agreed that models like Housing First have proven to be effective. Swann also said housing support organizations can also address homelessness by adopting methods used by the VA.
The VA provides programs for unhoused veterans that combine support from skilled case workers with wrap-around services, health care, and financial support.
People who personally experienced homelessness attended the conference as well. Michelle Ducas experienced homelessness for five years.
"As acclimated as I was to sleeping on the floor at the shelter, I slept on the floor of my apartment for the first time," Ducas said during her speech to other attendees.
Now, Ducas said she celebrates many wins.
"I'm almost a year sober, and I really ... that's a big one for me," Ducas said. "Being able to have access to see my kids."
Ducas said she doesn't believe her growth would be possible without the support she receives from Housing First in Maine.
She and others like Brian Hester, who experienced homelessness on and off for six years, know how important it is to receive guidance from caseworkers who work to help people overcome homelessness.
"Every lead I would find, I called my caseworker in, and we'd do this thing together," Hester said.
Fay and Swann said there are successes, but there is much more room to grow.