A rooming house at 33 Birch Ave. in Ellsworth has become a flashpoint for neighborhood frustration after years of complaints about drugs, crime, noise and unsafe conditions, all while residents say city officials have failed to act.
Neighbors report they’ve endured hundreds of police calls to the address, describing loud disturbances at all hours, discarded needles, piles of dog waste and what they believe to be ongoing drug activity.
“It’s been nonstop for years,” one neighbor told The Maine Wire. “And nothing changes.”
The property, known locally as the Sanctuary Inn, has been at the center of neighborhood controversy since it was converted from a former bed-and-breakfast into a taxpayer-supported shelter serving individuals recovering from addiction, recently released convicts and people experiencing homelessness.
In previous reporting by The Maine Wire, neighbors described the area as becoming dangerous since the unlicensed facility began operating.
“Staff have been looking into it to figure out what exactly the operation is,” then-Ellsworth City Manager Matthew Williams said at the time. “It started originally as a boarding home, and it has kind of transitioned into something else over the time it’s been there.”
At past city council meetings, neighbors raised concerns about suspicious activity, marijuana smoke, trash and people coming and going at all hours. One resident told councilors she had begun sleeping with a gun under her pillow since the Sanctuary Inn opened.
The Sanctuary Inn was purchased in 2023 for $1.175 million by Sanctuary Inn Investors LLC, based in Newton, Massachusetts. Multiple requests for comment were submitted via text and phone calls but were not returned to The Maine Wire.
Police have been called to the house repeatedly for disturbances, mental health crises and welfare checks. In one case, DHHS removed an infant from the building under court order.
City officials previously acknowledged the property was operating without a required lodging license. The owners have since submitted a license application but faced no penalties for the lapse.
An Ellsworth Police Department Law Incident Address History Report obtained by The Maine Wire shows a staggering number of calls to 33 Birch Ave. dating back to January 2023.
Between late 2023 and October 2025, police were dispatched to the address more than 150 times for incidents ranging from disturbances and disorderly conduct to suspected drug activity. Call logs include multiple daily visits in some months, with entries indicating repeated responses to various rooms inside the building, including units labeled “Sanctuary” and multiple apartment numbers.
Despite the frequent law enforcement presence, neighbors say little has changed.
“I am scared,” one nearby resident said, describing what it’s like living next to the troubled property.
Multiple residents say they’ve repeatedly contacted Ellsworth City Hall, the city manager’s office and members of the City Council, with concerns about the property. But, according to neighbors, those complaints have gone unanswered.
Hours after this story was initially published on Wednesday, the city finally responded to The Maine Wire with the following statement:
“The City of Ellsworth takes all community complaints and concerns very seriously. We are committed to protecting the health, safety, and well-being of our residents and maintaining safe and livable neighborhoods across the city. When issues are reported, they come directly to the City and are reviewed promptly. The City’s Code Enforcement Office and Police Department have both taken action regarding the matter at 33 Birch Avenue in accordance with local ordinances and state law.”
Code enforcement official Robert Grant earlier told The Maine Wire that “the property passed its required yearly inspection in July and has received no formal complaints since then.” Yet photos and videos shared by residents appear to contradict those claims, showing trash, disorder and apparent signs of drug use around the property.
City records also reveal the property has received thousands of dollars in public funding through the General Assistance program. According to an email from the city’s Director of Social Services:
- October: State of Maine – $3,136.70; City of Ellsworth – $1,344.30
- September: State of Maine – $3,374.00; City of Ellsworth – $1,446.00
These funds were distributed as housing assistance to clients at 33 Birch Ave. Under the GA program, the state reimburses municipalities for 70 percent of distributed funds. The program is intended to provide short-term assistance to people who cannot afford basic necessities.
Healthy Acadia, a regional nonprofit involved in housing-related outreach, said through a spokesperson that it has no official affiliation with the house. However, multiple sources told The Maine Wire that an employee of the organization, Tracy Crossman, acts as a “gatekeeper” to the property, determining who comes and goes and, in some cases, who gets access to housing there.
The claim has raised new concerns about who is overseeing the property and how state and local housing funds are being used. Neighbors say the lack of clarity over who is responsible for the day-to-day management has allowed ongoing problems to fester.
Several residents and local officials say the situation exposes a gap in accountability between the city, state and third-party service providers. Despite extensive public funding tied to the property, no agency has taken ownership of the issue or offered a plan to address the growing community concerns.
State Rep. Russell White, (R-Ellsworth), who grew up near Birch Avenue, said he’s concerned about the safety of the neighborhood. White told The Maine Wire he spoke with local police and confirmed drug use inside the building.
“The neighbors deserve to feel safe,” White said. “This situation has gone on far too long.”
