CCI proposes Winter St. shelter

Photo: Peter L. McGuire

NEW SHELTER —   Community Concepts is proposing to move its South Paris temporary housing facility to this building, at 28 Winter Street in Norway.

NORWAY — Community Concepts is planning on relocating its South Paris homeless shelter to Winter Street in Norway.

A public hearing on the proposal in front of the Norway Planning Board is scheduled for February 14, at 7 p.m. at the Norway town office.

On Monday, Lisa McGee, who directs the housing program at CCI, said the proposed nine-bed shelter would accommodate two families. It would be very similar to the current facility in South Paris and another CCI shelter in Rumford.

Opportunities at the shelter were focused on familes with children, McGee said.

Families would have private sleeping quarters, but share kitchen, living space and bathroom facilities, McGee said.

Siting the shelter in Norway puts clients within walking distance of stores, services and the schools, McGee said.

The organization also intends to provide clients at the new location with more comprehensive case management services, to get them back on their feet.

There is definite need in the area, McGee said. She reported receiving between five and eight calls a week from people looking for temporary shelter.

Eviction or foreclosure is most frequently cited as a reason for need, McGee said.

She said the issue had become slightly more pronounced after some clients lost access to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) aid last year because they were over the time limit.