The Portland City Council approved plans Monday evening for a new winter warming shelter at 166 Riverside Industrial Parkway following months of discussion over limited space, staffing shortages and challenges in finding a suitable on-peninsula location.
City officials said the site was selected because its layout allows for separation between the shelter’s winter warming clients and existing residents. The facility will operate nightly from 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., offering food, showers and restrooms, as well as transportation to and from the peninsula for those with mobility challenges. Up to 60 residents are expected to use the shelter during the winter months.
Funding for the shelter came through a Maine Housing grant program, but city staff said no private operators or nonprofits submitted proposals this year. With no other available options, the city took responsibility for managing the site.
During the council meeting, members expressed frustration that no outside organizations stepped forward to help and that funding and staffing remain limited. The project’s grant of $400,303.00 will support 14 staff members and operations for roughly 50 nights this winter, depending on temperatures and weather conditions.
The threshold for activating the shelter will be tied to overnight lows, with services triggered when the daily temperature is projected to 15 degrees Fahrenheit or below or when snow accumulation is expected to be 10 inches or more. The city said the decision to use that benchmark was based on past experience and available resources.
Councilors emphasized that while the plan is not ideal, it ensures a temporary refuge for vulnerable residents during extreme cold. The city continues to operate the Homeless Services Center year-round and hopes the warming shelter will offer short-term relief while connecting the homeless to long-term housing and services.
Mayor Mark Dion and several councilors called for greater involvement from county and state agencies, as well as regional nonprofits, to expand future capacity. The measure passed unanimously as an emergency order, allowing the shelter to open before the onset of winter. The grant covers the operation of the warming center from November 15, 2025 until April 30, 2026.
