Tedford Housing Expands Brunswick Shelter, Boosts Capacity by 60%

Tedford Housing inaugurated its newly expanded emergency homeless shelter in Brunswick on Thursday, enhancing its capacity to assist individuals and families facing homelessness by an impressive 60%. This development consolidates existing adult and family shelters with their administrative offices under one roof, streamlining operations and increasing the family shelter’s space from six to ten units. The adult shelter’s bed count will also rise from 16 to 24, according to Andrew Lardie, the executive director of Tedford Housing.

“The significant change, beyond the numbers, is the improved quality of life for our guests and staff,” Lardie stated. “We aim to create a trauma-informed environment that is more peaceful and accessible.” This new facility, spanning over 17,000 square feet, broke ground last fall after extensive fundraising efforts.

As many shelters in Maine face operational challenges, Tedford’s expansion comes at a critical time. Earlier this year, York County’s only emergency shelter closed due to financial constraints, while Portland’s YMCA family shelter, accommodating 81 individuals from 22 families, ceased operations in March following a freeze on Federal Emergency Management Agency funding.

Lardie highlighted that Tedford Housing was fortunate to secure a significant portion of federal funding under the American Rescue Plan Act before changes in the current presidential administration. “The onset of our campaign coincided with the pandemic and the housing crisis it exacerbated,” he explained. “This situation has focused public attention on solutions to homelessness.”

The total project cost is approximately $9 million, supported by a combination of local fundraising and federal funds administered through local municipalities. Additionally, Congress allocated $1.5 million specifically for the project, with local legislators securing a $257,000 grant from Maine Housing.

Recent announcements from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development have raised concerns regarding potential cuts jeopardizing over $13.5 million in federal funding for housing assistance in Maine. Such reductions could place more than 1,200 individuals at risk of homelessness. While the Continuum of Care program, which supports housing and services for vulnerable populations, does not directly fund Tedford, Lardie warned that these cuts could lead to increased demand for shelter services that are already stretched thin.

“Agencies like ours that operate shelters will likely see a surge in requests for assistance from individuals who previously had consistent help with their housing costs,” Lardie said. He also noted that significant staffing reductions at HUD could hinder the department’s ability to manage grants effectively. “There are many obstacles that the federal government is placing in front of homelessness response systems,” he added.

Families are expected to start moving into the new Tedford Housing shelter in December. The organization also operates a warming center on Tenney Way during the winter months.

At the grand opening ceremony on Thomas Point Road, Lardie was joined by state officials, community leaders, and supporters to celebrate the expanded shelter. Dan Brennan, director of Maine Housing, addressed the gathering of over 100 attendees, acknowledging the ongoing challenges in homelessness alleviation efforts. “What has always been a daunting and underfunded task seems to be growing more difficult each day. However, we are ready to confront these challenges,” he said.

Brunswick filmmaker Jake Jakubowski, who participated in the ribbon-cutting, shared his personal connection to Tedford. “Ten years ago, I came to Tedford as a client. At that time, I needed stability, a place to rest, and people who believed in me. Tedford provided that foundation,” he recalled.

Lardie expressed optimism about the shelter’s ability to expedite the transition of guests to permanent housing. He indicated that, at the current pace, the shelter anticipates serving approximately 175 individuals in the coming year, representing an increase of 25 families and 30 adults. “If we can reduce the average length of stay through more effective case management and housing navigation, we can increase our capacity even further,” he concluded.