Council selects Kaydenz Kitchen to operate homeless shelter

LEWISTON — The City Council on Tuesday unanimously selected nonprofit Kaydenz Kitchen to operate a future city-run homeless shelter, marking a significant step in a long-standing effort to create a low-barrier adult shelter in Lewiston.

The organization, led by Kevin Boilard, was the only applicant to respond to a very short request for proposals deadline, but the application received support from several other area agencies, including Community Concepts and Lewiston Housing, which plans to partner with Kaydenz Kitchen on the shelter development.

Council members and city staff stressed that Tuesday’s decision does not imply a commitment to funding or approval of a shelter site, but is simply a selection of a shelter provider to begin development discussions.

The nonprofit, which began as a food pantry, recently operated the emergency warming center at Calvary United Methodist Church, an initiative that was generally considered a success compared to previous iterations. Kaydenz Kitchen’s proposal also received letters of support from a former city council member, a manager at an existing shelter and other nonprofit leaders.

Craig Saddlemire, co-chair of the city’s shelter committee, which prepared a request for proposals for the project, said the quick turnaround on proposals was due to the grant applications the city and its vendor will need to submit to get funding. He said the applications are more likely to be successful if there is a partner agency on board.

He said that if funding currently being considered from MaineHousing and federal sources is secured, development of a 40- to 60-bed shelter could begin as early as March 2025, with an “ambitious” start to operations by September 2025.

Chris Bicknell, executive director of New Beginnings and a member of the shelter’s committee, said Boilard and Kaydenz Kitchen is probably “the best agency to do this work in this community” because of their consistent outreach and relationships with homeless people.

Boilard, through Community Concepts, also works for a city of Auburn outreach program, connecting those living in homeless encampments with services.

Councilman Josh Nagine said he is “extremely happy” that Boilard has put forward a proposal and that his organization “cares about this community and its people.”

Nagine also stressed that a location has not been determined.

“There is still a lot of work to be done. It is about who is willing to help the city meet this need,” Nagine said.

“This brings us one step closer to having a low-barrier shelter in this community, one that is desperately needed,” said Mayor Carl Sheline.

While the bill received unanimous support, at least one council member questioned the low-barrier aspects of the shelter, which refers to a shelter that does not deny entry for reasons such as being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, participating in religious services or lack of identification.

Councilwoman Eryn Soule-Leclair said not requiring ID was a concern, saying “we live in dangerous times” and operators should know who they are serving. But she said she supported the vote because she has faith in Boilard.

“Because you are here, that is why I am going to support the project,” he said.

Bicknell said the shelter would have standards of conduct and safety, such as not allowing weapons, alcohol or illegal substances. And he said an agency like Kaydenz Kitchen typically gets to know the population it serves through its outreach efforts.

Bicknell also said a shelter using the low-barrier model is needed in Lewiston, and available funding sources would require that model to be used.

During public comment, resident Matt Agren said he is concerned the council is essentially “passing a blank check.”

The RFP outlined an estimated budget that pegged development costs at approximately $1 million and operating expenses at approximately $2 million annually, if operating at full capacity.

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