King, Dill pledge support for homeless programs

PORTLAND – Independent Angus King and Democrat Cynthia Dill told members of Portland’s homeless community Thursday that they want to improve access to affordable housing and protect the social safety net. The event was sponsored by Homeless Voices for Justice and the Preble Street social services agency. King and Dill toured the agency’s facility downtown … Read more

Task force airs new strategy for helping Portland's homeless

PORTLAND – A task force has unveiled a sweeping plan for reducing homelessness in the city. The plan, still in its draft form, calls for creating a centralized process for assessing homeless people; building three, 35-unit housing facilities, and expanding case management services to better match the needs of clients. Nearly 100 people filled City … Read more

Steven Huston, 53, passionate advocate for Portland's homeless

PORTLAND – Steven Huston, a longtime advocate for Preble Street Homeless Voices for Justice, fought tirelessly for people struggling with homelessness, poverty and addiction. Huston, like those for whom he battled, struggled with alcoholism and chronic homelessness. He died unexpectedly Thursday in his recliner at his apartment on Wilmot Street in Portland. He was 53. … Read more

Homelessness task force addresses growing issue

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) – More than 300 people will seek emergency shelter in Portland tonight. And those numbers are growing. A task force has spent the last year looking for ways to address the issue and Wednesday night they shared their findings with the public. The task force believes that its recommendations can save … Read more

Task force: Big investments in homeless programs, facilities could save Greater Portland $3 million per year down the road

PORTLAND, Maine – A task force that studied homelessness in Portland over the past year is urging local stakeholders to summon the political will to fund the construction of 105 more specialized housing units for the homeless, according to its draft report. By implementing the major steps recommended in the report, which include a renewed … Read more

Grim picture of Maine's economy

Most Mainers don’t need a fresh set of statistics to tell them that the economy has languished for years. But data being released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau paints a particularly grim picture. From 2007 through 2011, the state’s median household income dropped by 7.7 percent, the number of unemployed people increased by 43 … Read more

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The Universal Notebook: Eat, drink and feel guilty

When I go to the supermarket these days (and that’s most days), I often find myself thinking, "How in the world can young families afford to put food on the table?" It seems to me that a typical trip to the market used to cost me $20 to $30. Now I’m spending about $50 a … Read more

Homeless veterans shouldn't be abandoned

President Abraham Lincoln vowed in his second inaugural address that it was the obligation of the United States "… to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan." But that commitment appears to have an expiration date, at least as it applies to a position established last … Read more

The hunger season

STATE – For many, summer means good eating – gardens and farmers markets overflow with fresh produce and the aroma of backyard grilling fills the air. It’s hard to believe that people are going hungry. But advocates say that for many food insecure families, particularly those with school-age children, summer is a lean time. According … Read more