Center For Regional Prosperity

STARTING IN 2021 AND CONTINUING INTO 2023, THE CFRP SERVED AS THE FISCAL HOST FOR THE MAINE BROADBAND COALITION AND COMPLETED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO SUPPORT SHARED GOALS OF FACILITATING DIGITAL EQUITY FOR RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE HIGH SPEED INTERNET FOR EVERYONE IN MAINE. ACTIVITIES ENABLED THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP INCLUDED INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS; CO-DESIGNING COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING EFFORTS TO SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING AND A STATEWIDE DATA COLLECTION CAMPAIGN TO HELP INFORM UNDERSERVED AREAS FOR BROADBAND. IN 2023, THE MAINE BROADBAND COALITION APPLIED FOR THEIR OWN 501C3 STATUS. ONCE THAT IS OBTAINED, THE CFRP WILL NO LONGER BE ACTING AS A FISCAL AGENT ON THEIR BEHALF. BEGINNING IN 2022 AND CONTINUING INTO 2023, IN RESPONSE TO THE LARGE NUMBERS OF ASYLUM SEEKERS ARRIVING IN THE REGION, THE CFRP LAUNCHED THE SAFE IN MAINE FUND TO ACCEPT CHARITABLE DONATIONS TO SUPPORT THE CREATION OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING IS SECURE HOUSING THAT IS USED TEMPORARILY BY PEOPLE TO HELP THEM GAIN STABILITY AND CONNECT THEM TO RESOURCES THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO OBTAIN PERMANENT HOUSING. IT IS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN MAINE'S OVERALL HOUSING STOCK, AS IT CAN PROVIDE A LANDING PLACE FOR PEOPLE - LIKE ASYLUM SEEKERS - WHO ARE SITUATIONALLY HOMELESS AND WHO CAN RESOLVE THEIR HOMELESSNESS ON THEIR OWN WITH SOME SHORT-TERM ASSISTANCE. THE CREATION OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING WILL HELP TO PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE WAY FOR THE REGION TO WELCOME AND RETAIN NEW AMERICANS WHO CAN HELP TO ADDRESS MAINE'S WORKFORCE SHORTAGE AND OTHER DEMOGRAPHIC CHALLENGES TO CREATE SHARED PROSPERITY FOR THE REGION AND THE STATE. IN EARLY 2023, THE CFRP PARTNERED WITH THE CITY OF PORTLAND AND DEVELOPERS COLLECTIVE, A LOCAL FIRM KNOWN FOR ITS WORK IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND EMERGENCY SHELTER, TO APPLY FOR A GRANT TO CREATE A NEW 180-BED SHELTER IN PORTLAND TO ADDRESS THE GROWING POPULATION OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, INCLUDING ASYLUM SEEKERS. THE GRANT, WHICH WAS AWARDED TO THE CFRP AND ITS PARTNERS BY THE MAINE STATE HOUSING AUTHORITY (MAINEHOUSING), HAS BEEN USED TO CONVERT A 26,000 SQUARE FOOT WAREHOUSE SPACE INTO A 180- BED SHELTER WITH FOOD AND SERVICES ON SITE. SHELTER CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY AND ON TRACK TO OPEN IN LATE NOVEMBER 2023. THIS SHELTER WILL HELP THE CITY OF PORTLAND AND ITS PARTNER, THE MAINE IMMIGRANTS' RIGHTS COALITION, TO PROVIDE SHELTER FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS WHILE ALSO FREEING UP SPACE AT THE CITY'S HOMELESS SERVICES CENTER FOR OTHER INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.