LEWISTON — Three weeks into the U.S. government shutdown, city officials say they are largely handling its impact for now, but are concerned over more demands on General Assistance should the shutdown drag on.
City Administrator Ed Barrett said Monday that the longest government shutdown in history has so far “not had a major effect on the city’s operations or finances,” but that could change, especially for the General Assistance department.
Maine’s second-largest city has a large number of low-income residents, as well as asylum-seekers who often depend on General Assistance until they are legally allowed to work.
Many asylum-seekers living in Lewiston have had immigration hearings postponed during the shutdown, and employment authorization cards are not being issued.
“If the shutdown continues for a long time, the impacts may be magnified as government reimbursements to the city are delayed and greater demands are placed on our General Assistance program, should other federal benefits be delayed,” he said Monday.
Barrett’s comments came as Gov. Janet Mills’ office said the state plans to disburse February food stamp benefits early on Jan. 17 to help mitigate “potentially severe impacts” to the program effecting 180,000 people caused by the government shutdown.
Barrett said that if the shutdown continues past next week, it will likely impact February’s funding. At that point, he said, “we anticipate that we may see more requests for General Assistance for food assistance.”
At the same time, Barrett said, many asylum-seekers in Lewiston have had immigration hearings delayed as the Immigration Court in Boston is also closed.
The Boston court is where asylum decisions are made for the New England region.
“This means that any applicant scheduled for their asylum hearing during the shutdown cannot be processed,” Barrett said.
“They are, however, still in the legal process of seeking asylum since the shutdown is no fault of their own. As a result, they will remain eligible for assistance.”
Barrett said since employment authorization cards are not being issued, it “may result in additional and longer needs for assistance.”
Lewiston has budgeted $939,055 for General Assistance benefits this year, 70 percent of which is reimbursed by the state. The city’s $1.2 million General Assistance budget is 2.7 percent of the municipal budget.
The prolonged shutdown is also effecting Lewiston in other ways.
Kara Wilbur stands in front of the former Lewiston Fire Department substation on Lincoln Street in February 2018. She and business partner Paul Peck hope to renovate it for a Portland Pie restaurant but the project is waiting for approval of a historic tax credit. The credits are issued by the National Park Service, which is closed during the prolonged government shutdown. (Sun Journal file photo)
Barrett said two projects in the early stages of development are delayed, including a new Portland Pie location at a former Lewiston fire substation at 188 Lincoln St.
Its owners are planning to redevelop the former fire station into a Portland Pie franchise, but are waiting for approval of historic tax credits issued by the National Park Service, which is closed.
An environmental review underway for a project at 223 Lisbon St. could also be delayed, Barrett said, because the Department of Housing and Urban Development is on furlough.
Funding for two of the city’s largest community development initiatives — the Lewiston-Auburn Lead Program and the Community Development Block Grant — may also feel the pinch.
“At the moment, we are continuing to receive reimbursements from HUD for both our lead program and CDBG projects, but should the shutdown continue, this may become a problem in the future,” Barrett said.
According to Wendy MacDougall, director of Social Services, the shutdown of the federal Social Security Office is another issue.
“Gaining needed documents for proof of income and requests for burial compensations for families that receive (Social Security) are on hold until the shutdown stops,” she said in an email.
In Auburn, City Manager Peter Crichton said Monday that he wasn’t immediately aware of city departments or projects that are feeling the impact.
He said city officials will be “watching HUD funding closely,” but added, “at this point in time, I think we’re going to be able to work around it.”
Eric Cousens, deputy director of economic and community development, said, “We are still working on the projects that were in the queue but may need to wait a little longer for (government) reimbursement.”
Auburn also has a significant number of residents dependent on General Assistance and Maine’s food stamp program.
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