from The National Pulse:
The city of Westbrook, Maine, is considering a new ordinance that would permit private homes, churches, and community centers to serve as homeless shelters. Most housing assistance applicants are recent migrants, and the proposal comes after the city’s welfare program official acknowledged that “90 to 95 percent” of welfare recipients are migrants, referred to as “New Mainers” by open borders activists.
Jennie Franceschi, Westbrook’s Director of Planning and Code Enforcement, indicated that the ordinance would enable single-family homes and churches to become emergency shelters if community needs dictate. The proposal does not mandate homeowners or churches to house homeless individuals but allows them to register as official homeless shelters voluntarily.
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Resident Martin Malia argues the current proposal could lead to an 11.4 percent tax increase. Malia expressed fears that the ordinance might also attract more homeless immigrants, further taxing the general assistance program and municipal resources.
Despite these concerns, the Planning Board did not address Malia’s points in detail. The board ultimately voted unanimously to move the ordinance and another establishing a licensing process for homeless shelters to the city council.
At an earlier city council meeting, Harison Deah, the director of general assistance, revealed that the majority of general assistance applicants are new Mainers. He also noted that many immigrants require basic living instructions, such as thermostat usage, due to unfamiliarity with local standards.
The general assistance program is predominantly funded by statewide taxpayer money (70 percent), with local property taxes covering the remaining 30 percent. Malia raised the issue of illegal immigration, questioning whether the proposal effectively becomes an immigration resettlement program funded by taxpayers.
The city council will now consider the ordinance, weighing public support against concerns over tax impact and immigration.
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