The Portland City Council voted unanimously on December 15 to broaden how the city spends its Opioid Settlement Funds, expanding the allocation to support five remediation programs aimed at addressing the ongoing opioid crisis and its impact on Portland.
The vote amends the city’s original spending plan to fund five initiatives: continuation of Portland Public Health’s Syringe Redemption Program, a new pilot day space program, housing support for unsheltered individuals, community paramedicine substance use support, and contingency management treatment for people with substance use disorders.
City officials said the changes are intended to better target on-peninsula needs and provide immediate services for individuals struggling with addiction and homelessness, particularly during the winter months.
New Day Space Opens on Congress Street
A central component of the expanded plan is a new pilot day space program funded by the city’s opioid settlement dollars and operated by St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen. The program provides low-barrier, indoor respite for unsheltered residents and began operating this week at St. Vincent de Paul’s facility at 307 Congress Street.
The seasonal half-day space runs weekday mornings, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m., and is scheduled to continue through the end of March 2026. Capacity is capped at up to 60 unsheltered individuals per day, with priority given to people with substance use disorders.
Providing a day space was one of three original opioid remediation programs approved by the council, intended to address the lack of services located directly on the Portland peninsula.
On nights when the city activates its Winter Warming Shelter, the day space will also serve as a designated shuttle drop-off location. City officials say this ensures continuity of care by offering shelter from extreme cold, a hot meal, and direct access to service providers.
Council, City Officials Defend Spending Shift
District 4 City Councilor Anna Bullett, who chairs the Health & Human Services and Public Safety Committee, said the expanded spending plan reflects community-informed and evidence-based decision-making. She emphasized that the opioid settlement funds exist because of widespread harm caused by the crisis and said addiction should be viewed as a systemic failure rather than an individual one.
Maggie McLoughlin, director of the city’s Health & Human Services Department, said the programs funded through the settlement are designed to save lives and reduce the broader impacts of substance use disorders. She said the city hopes the interventions will benefit both individuals directly affected and the wider community.
Services, Access, and Evaluation
The day space operates under a low-barrier model intended to maximize accessibility, with minimal restrictions on entry. Wrap-around services are offered through an open, partner-led approach, including on-site support from the city’s outreach team and mobile medical services.
Harrison Otterbein, president of the board of directors for St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, said opening the space comes at a critical time as Portland endures harsh winter conditions. He said providing shelter, services, and meals has been central to the organization’s mission for more than five decades.
The City of Portland said the pilot project will be actively evaluated in April to assess outcomes and effectiveness. City officials say the review will help determine next steps as Portland continues to explore longer-term solutions to homelessness and substance use disorders using opioid settlement funds.
