Aroostook County homelessness becomes more visible as temperatures warm

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (WAGM) - As temperatures begin to warm across Aroostook County, officials say more people experiencing homelessness are becoming visible in communities throughout the region. While the issue may seem more noticeable, they say it is not necessarily growing.

The sight of people living outdoors in Houlton has made its way into the public eye in recent weeks, but officials say it is part of a broader issue impacting the entire county.

Sheriff Peter Johnson said the issue affects communities across the region.

“I don’t think that there’s an area of the county that is exempt from this. This is something that it may be a bit more visible and, in your face, when you get into the more populated areas such as Houlton, Presque Isle, and Caribou,” Johnson said.

Johnson said what people are seeing now is not necessarily an increase in homelessness, but a shift in visibility.

“They’re more visible. I wouldn’t say that the rate of the people who are unhoused goes up,” he said.

During the winter, many people find temporary places to stay, moving between couches or short-term arrangements.

“This winter when we had the really, really cold spells below 0 with the high winds and stuff, we did see an increase of people coming in,” said Kari Bradstreet, executive director of Homeless Services of Aroostook.

As temperatures rise, that changes. More people are spending time outside, making the issue more noticeable in communities like Houlton. Bradstreet said there is room at the shelter.

“It’s very saddening to hear because we do have room and we do have, even if it was just a matter of coming in and staying warm and then, it’s on their terms if they want to enroll into services,” Bradstreet said.

Bradstreet said those decisions are respected, but outreach efforts continue. Law enforcement agencies across the county regularly offer transportation to the shelter for those willing to go.

“The issue down in Houlton, the chief down there has been trying to encourage to come to the shelter. We have received people from other police departments, from Fort Kent, Border Patrol,” she said.

Bradstreet said partnerships with local departments and organizations, including the Salvation Army, have helped connect people from across Aroostook County to a hot meal, a warm place to sleep, and access to long-term services. Officials say the goal moving forward is to continue that outreach, making sure people know help is available, while also recognizing that each individual’s situation is different.