Construction underway at Seeds of Hope overnight center in Biddeford

 The executive director of Seeds of Hope has her hands full.

That’s nothing new, but Vassie Fowler’s office is also full – of shoes. A room next door is chockablock full of clothes.

“Everything is in flux and chaos,” Fowler said as workers buzzed through the building to renovate 35 South St. in Biddeford to open a space to house people overnight, tentatively scheduled for late fall.

Seeds of Hope partnered with the city to welcome those who need a warm, safe place to stay the night on an interim basis after homeless encampments were disbanded in Biddeford.  

The neighborhood center has been working on answers to the issue of homelessness for years, Fowler said, but solutions “weren’t readily available.”

But when Biddeford officials explored solutions “they kept coming back to Seeds of Hope.”

The answer pivoted to the expansion, made possible through an $800,000 Housing and Urban Development grant procured by the city and a $40,000 private donation.

“After many meetings and conversations here we are,” Fowler said.

The dormitory-style room has room for up to 60 people a night; around 30 clients are now accommodated in the community room, a “very short-term fix,” Fowler said.

She anticipates the space – which includes showers and laundry on the same floor – will meet the needs of those who are now unhoused. 

Neither Lamontagne nor Fowler had a firm date for when the transition would happen.

“Even when the improvements are complete,” Lamontagne said, “The facility will

“Once that question is answered, the intent of the Seeds of Hope project is to become a focused transitional housing facility,” Lamontagne clarified.

 She said the idea being floated is to accommodate “longer-term residents … with services … to assist them with getting back into more permanent housing.”

The interim measure is expected to be in place for at least a year, but no longer than 18 months, according to a May 2024 memo to the council from Bennett and Mayor Martin Grohman.

“Finding a solution for the longer term is going to be most challenging,” the administrators said in the memo.

Securing housing for each person who needs it is one goal, according to the memo. The Biddeford housing director is in the loop, and talks with to those who now operate similar facilities, such as York County Shelter Programs, were on the radar.

Making space, meeting needs

Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center opened a drop-in center at the building that was formerly home to Christ Episcopal Church in 2008 in collaboration with other churches and community organizations.

Worship ended in 2012, after the church realized it could no longer continue as a parish, but wanted to continue the work being done for community members. The ministry became a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit in 2013.

Around 10 paid staff and 35 volunteers now keep the place going. The overnight center is open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. seven nights a week, and the neighborhood center day program is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To be admitted overnight, new protocols dictate that those seeking shelter must first complete an intake form with General Assistance in Biddeford. Weapons and illegal substances are prohibited. No one under 18 and those who are visibly intoxicated, disruptive, or argumentative will not be allowed to stay.

A part of the new plan involves additional city staffing, according to a June 5 article in the Saco Bay News, specifically for a person to help coordinate and respond to the specific needs of the unhoused community. Any overflow could be accommodated by the nearby Second Congregational Church in Biddeford.

A group of mostly men chatted while they ate breakfast in a cramped dining room on a recent summer day as saws buzzed and workers hustled around the building.

But the demographics have changed in recent years, Fowler said. “At first it was all men,” she said, but now it’s more like a 65-35 percent split. “There’s more women than you’d think.”

Renovations on tap

Major kitchen renovations underway are expected to be done in late September. The clothing closet is being relocated to make room for the commercial kitchen. A handicap ramp is being built as well.

Fowler is the most excited about installing a commercial dishwasher and stove that will allow food to be cooked onsite and eliminate waste from disposable paper products.

For example, preparing soup in the kitchen will cost $20 a day compared to serving premade soup for $100.

Fowler, a Biddeford resident who has worked for Seeds of Hope for three years, is well-versed in food service settings. She owned the now-shuttered Union House Pub & Pizza in Biddeford and worked as the catering coordinator for the University of New England as well.

“Right away we’ll reconfigure the waste,” said Fowler, adding that the kitchen will pay for itself in two years.

Housing first

Staffers are addressing homelessness in another important way: by finding housing for one person a week through “a team of really dedicated partners.”

Affordability isn’t the most important need, supportive housing is, Fowler said. That can be found in such places as group homes, single rooms and sober living houses.

“Without housing, they’re just trying to stay above water,” Fowler said. “You need a safe place to lay your head.”

“It’s exciting to think that these small changes will make a big difference,” said Fowler. “I think the city is doing a great job; it’s not their role to solve every problem.”

“What more could they do?” she asked. “This is a people problem.”

“The only thing between us and them is circumstances.”

Ann Fisher is a freelance journalist based in Saco. She can be reached at 432-7483.