Bangor Fills Nine Homelessness Panel Seats After 50-Plus Apply
Councilors called the monthslong process to create the committee "excruciatingly long," but it will now draft Bangor's homelessness strategy.
For the first time, the Bangor City Council on May 27 filled nine seats on its newly created Advisory Committee on Homelessness, according to the Bangor Daily News. The panel is charged with drafting a data-driven, long-term strategic plan to address homelessness in the city, with its work conducted at public meetings.
Councilor Michael Beck said more than 50 people sought the nine seats. The appointees include Alton Buzzell of Hollywood Casino, Brittney Dunham of Preble Street, homelessness outreach worker Jason Goodrich, peer support specialist Peter Patrick Kealy, Northern Light Acadia Hospital psychiatrist Anthony Ng, BangorHousing property management director Melissa Rhodes, Bangor Public Library director Ben Treat, community organizer Teal Vasques and Penobscot Community Health Care clinical director Amy West.
Councilor Susan Faloon said the process to launch the committee "has been excruciatingly long." The council separately voted to create a standing committee on housing issues, to include experts in affordable housing and construction finance.
This story was first reported by Bangor Daily News.
