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April 7, 2023

Portland Expo to shelter asylum-seekers through the summer

building Jim Neuger The Expo is expected to accommodate up to 300 people and will likely be almost at capacity when it opens to asylum-seekers on Monday, April 10.
By Ann Fisher

The city of Portland is opening the Expo on Monday, April 10, to serve as a temporary emergency shelter for asylum-seekers throughout the summer.

The Expo is anticipated to accommodate up to 300 people and is expected to be almost full upon opening, city officials said in a Thursday announcement. Services at the Expo, located at 239 Park Ave., will only be available to those who are registered to stay there.

Since Jan. 1, around 1,000 asylum-seekers have sought shelter and services from the city, according to the release. The James A. Banks Portland Exposition Building will replace a public school gym that had served as an overnight overflow shelter space. 

“This is a very dire situation and the opening of the Expo is the last overnight overflow space that we have available to open and operate,” said interim City Manager Danielle West. “We are truly beyond our capacity to be able to continue to provide compassionate care for those seeking shelter."

West said city staff "specifically do not have further ability to assist in terms of additional locations, staffing, or other resources."

West assured that Portland would continue to work with state and regional community partners to find other avenues for emergency housing and services to accommodate those seeking asylum in the Forest City.

"It is our hope that at least one new facility in the area will come online this summer,” she said. Portland is now providing shelter for about 1,200 people every night. In addition to the Expo, the city also operates the 208-bed Homeless Services Center on Riverside Street for single adults and the Family Shelter and overflow spaces on Chestnut Street for families.

Much as it did in 2019, when the city first opened the Expo to serve asylum-seekers, donations from the community are being requested to help with shelter/housing and basic necessities. 

Donations 

Monetary donations can be made online or by texting the word EXPO to 91999. Donations can also be mailed or dropped off at Portland City Hall, 389 Congress St., Portland, ME 04101.

Physical donations are limited only to items specifically listed on an Amazon wish list as these items can be shipped directly to the Expo. No other physical donations will be accepted. 

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