Bangor homelessness committee reviews day center RFP, urges patience

The Advisory Committee on Homelessness reviewed a $750,000 proposal from Together Place for a low-barrier day center, noting the cost exceeds current expectations. Committee members agreed that a day space is needed but determined they require more data and a defined budget from the City Council before making a final recommendation. The committee also voted to recommend that the city develop a consistent public communication plan to address community concerns and share program updates.

Key points

• Committee members expressed "sticker shock" regarding the $750,000 budget proposed by Together Place for a five-to-seven-day-a-week day center.
• Discussion highlighted the distinction between low-barrier access and high-expectation services, with members noting that some clients prefer spaces without active substance use.
• Councilor Carolyn Fish emphasized that the city lacks a clear budget for this initiative and asked the committee to prioritize where funds would have the greatest impact.
• The committee voted unanimously to recommend that the city create a formal communication plan to share data, success stories, and safety updates with the public.
• Members noted that the proposal serves as a "platinum" model that may need to be scaled down or adjusted to fit municipal financial realities.

Next steps

• City staff to gather additional information, including the Together Place 990 form and potential budget scenarios, for the committee's next review.
• The city to develop a comprehensive communication plan that includes regular updates, success stories, and information on how residents can access services.
• The committee to prioritize ecosystem and journey mapping to better understand the homelessness response system before finalizing recommendations.

Read the full transcript