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Brenna Jones is a 2020 graduate of the University of Maine, with a degree in sociology and mathematics. She is currently a master’s degree student in criminal justice sciences at Illinois State University and has been studying homelessness and housing in the Bangor area for more than three years. This research and work was part of her honors thesis, “Understanding the Socioeconomic Barriers Facing Precariously Housed and Unhoused People.”
As Bangor prepares to sweep “Tent City,” it is crucial to examine the narrative used by officials to justify these actions. While concerns about unsanitary conditions and criminal activity are frequently cited, this rhetoric perpetuates the negative stigmas of unhoused people. Blaming individuals for their circumstances ignores the social forces that push them to the margins of society.
Any dangers present in Tent City are more accurately linked to the lack of access to fundamental services, such as running water, regular trash and needle disposal/collection, easily accessible rehabilitation programs, and consistent food and water supplies. Instead, residents are often left to navigate survival in environments that can perpetuate harm. Additionally, similar unsafe conditions exist in other areas of Bangor, yet when they arise in Tent City, it’s portrayed as proof of delinquency among the homeless population. The city claims that closing the encampment will tackle safety concerns, both physical and health-related, however, this will likely exacerbate the hazards for these residents, erode civic trust and undermine securing housing and financial stability.
This narrative of unhoused people as uncooperative is problematic. As real estate developers’ and businesses’ interests are continually prioritized, housing remains unavailable to many due to credit scores, background checks, and rejection of housing vouchers. Bangor continuously relies on market-based solutions to expand the housing stock without addressing the needs of unhoused people. Rather than implement renters’ protections or provide cash assistance for securing apartments, the city places its trust in the goodwill of businesses, which often discriminates against those struggling to find housing under the guise of “financial risk.”
In my interviews with 18 precariously housed and unhoused people in the Greater Bangor area, participants revealed that this stigmatization creates additional barriers to accessing services and housing, complicating an already arduous journey towards stable housing. Some may question why individuals struggle to find housing after years of living outside. The reality is that simply meeting basic needs can consume all of one’s energy as it is.
People face the time-consuming tasks of filling out assistance forms, job and apartment applications, waiting on the phone, and still needing to find time to make enough money to eat that day. According to the city, to be regularly engaged with outreach services individuals must “consistently make their appointments for housing applications, rental viewings, court proceedings, and treatments and checks in with outreach multiple times throughout the week.” Each of these tasks is daunting, compounded by the need for transportation, food, water, and other essentials. Many resources also come with long waitlists and complicated eligibility requirements, further complicating the ability to secure housing.
After navigating a complex and often unwelcoming system, it’s understandable that many would not engage with outreach services given Bangor’s history with sweeps. Even those who have engaged, according to those I interviewed, ended up unhoused again as support often does not continue. The city manager has acknowledged, despite having housing vouchers, finding suitable housing is challenging as many landlords refuse to accept vouchers or rent to people with a history of eviction, drug use, or a criminal record. Sometimes available units are located far outside one’s community, leading many to decline these opportunities.
To fix this housing “crisis,” I believe Bangor must shift its narrative from one of blame and stigma to understanding and support. This means recognizing that sweeps criminalize our community members — our neighbors, friends, and family. It means recognizing the multifaceted challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness and advocating for solutions that address the root causes. It means investing in community services and policies that facilitate access to affordable housing for even our most vulnerable residents. Only by reframing our approach can we hope to dismantle the stigma that continues to harm our neighbors in need. It is time for Bangor to prioritize the dignity and humanity of every individual regardless of their housing status, and to work towards a community that truly supports all of its residents.
