© 2024 Maine Public

Bangor Studio/Membership Department
63 Texas Ave.
Bangor, ME 04401

Lewiston Studio
1450 Lisbon St.
Lewiston, ME 04240

Portland Studio
323 Marginal Way
Portland, ME 04101

Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 22-3171529
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Scroll down to see all available streams.

Auburn sees surge in demand for General Assistance benefits

Applications for General Assistance in Auburn increased by 330% in the last fiscal year, which ended on June 30. And the number of asylum-related cases increased by more than 500%, representing more than a quarter of the roughly 420 applications the city received.

It's among the findings included in a new report published by the Auburn Community Development Office about the city's use of federal funds to help low and moderate income residents. The report says that the city spent an additional $230,000 to help meet the need for General Assistance.

A public hearing on the report, which also includes goals to create affordable housing, will be held by the Auburn City Council on Monday, Oct. 16.