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Proposal moves homeless shelter to multi-million dollar location

The Oxford Street Shelter director says, on average, it provides resources for 200 people per night. A new proposed site would move its location to a city-owned piece of property on the Barron Center Campus.

PORTLAND (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- Officials in the City of Portland are ‘overwhelmed’ with the ongoing opioid epidemic and homelessness. A new proposed shelter in the outskirts of the city, may provide additional resources to help what is being called a 'broken system' in Bayside.

The need for rehabilitative services is outgrowing the Oxford Street Homeless Shelter, according to its director.

“The situation we have now is untenable," said Rob Parritt, the shelter's director. A new multi-million dollar facility would replace the current building. "It has definitely seen a lot of wear and tear, and it’s very difficult for staff, because it has a lot of nooks and crannies. It’s a rehabbed three-story apartment building attached to an auto garage. It was never designed to house 154 people.”

Related: Residents, nearby homeowners react to Portland shelter relocation plan

Parritt says the shelter, on average, provides resources for 200 people per night. A new proposed site would move its location to a city owned piece of property on the Barron Center Campus. Critics mentioned it’s just moving the problem.

“It’s really unfortunate when people say we are trying to move the problem to Westbrook or we are trying to hide the poor or the homeless," said city manager Jon Jennings. "There’s nothing further from the truth than that.”

In December, it was announced it would cost $10 million. Jennings says the cost will be less because the city owns the parcel of land. It will house medical and food resources, and even a pop-up Portland Public Library inside. A shuttle van is also built into the cost, but the location is close to an active Metro bus line.

“It’s all about the safety and the security of these folks are really good people who find themselves in a very difficult point in their lives. Government cannot do everything for everyone we are not the answer to every problem, but we can be a partner in finding solutions.”

“Accessibility is huge, but let’s have folks come back into the city from a place of strength rather than trying to escape this neighborhood be more productive,” said Parritt.

The City Manager's Office will provide a recommendation to the Health and Human Services Committee in City Hall on Tuesday.A public hearing with the same committee will be held July 10th.

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