Augusta Advances Homeless Shelter Licensing, Extends Moratorium

City Council votes to continue pause on new shelter proposals while finalizing land-use regulations.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:06pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of a lone homeless person sitting on a bench under a streetlight, with the warm glow of the light casting long shadows across the empty city street, conveying a sense of isolation and the need for community support.As Augusta grapples with homelessness and the need for new shelter options, the city maintains a pause on proposals to finalize comprehensive regulations.Augusta Today

The Augusta City Council voted to keep in place a moratorium on new homeless shelter proposals while finalizing a new licensing ordinance and land-use regulations. The council approved the first reading of the licensing ordinance, which would require new shelters to obtain council approval on security and operations. However, the council eliminated a proposed minimum staffing requirement, opting instead for 'adequate staffing' based on guest needs.

Why it matters

Augusta has been grappling with homelessness and the need for a year-round, low-barrier shelter. The moratorium and new regulations aim to provide a framework for shelter operations and locations, while balancing community concerns.

The details

The council originally enacted a 90-day pause in December to develop guardrails around shelter operations. That pause has now been extended as the city finalizes the licensing ordinance and land-use regulations, including where shelters can be located. Once complete, the city plans to seek proposals for a new low-barrier, year-round shelter, potentially using opioid settlement funds and city-owned land.

  • The council originally enacted a 90-day pause in December 2025.
  • The pause was extended last month as the ordinance was still being developed.
  • Thursday's meeting marked the first reading of the new licensing rules.
  • A second reading and potential approval could come as early as April 16, 2026.

The players

Augusta City Council

The governing body of Augusta, Maine that is overseeing the development of new homeless shelter regulations.

Kevin Judkins

Ward 2 Councilor who asked to keep the moratorium in place while the Planning Board reviews shelter land-use amendments.

Courtney Gary-Allen

At-Large Councilor who proposed eliminating a minimum staffing requirement for shelters in favor of 'adequate staffing' based on guest needs.

Steven McDermott

A Winthrop resident with experience in Maine affordable housing and shelter funding, who advised the council against a uniform staffing requirement.

Augusta Task Force on Homelessness

A task force that made recommendations for creating 'a community where everyone has a place to call home,' including the need for a year-round, low-barrier shelter within one year.

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What they’re saying

“I think (a looser) type of approach allows the city the flexibility to acknowledge the different types of shelters that you might see proposed — ranging from a barrack-style shelter, where it's one big room, which has clean sight lines from one corner to the other corner, front to back, top to bottom, which might need fewer staff, to something like an independent single-room occupancy-style shelter, where there might need to be more staff doing more frequent rounds.”

— Steven McDermott, Winthrop resident with affordable housing experience

What’s next

After receiving input from the Planning Board on the new land-use regulations, city officials will then send out a request for shelter proposals, seeking a partner to run a low-barrier, year-round shelter.

The takeaway

Augusta's approach to regulating homeless shelters aims to balance the need for more shelter capacity with community concerns, by developing a licensing framework and land-use rules that provide oversight while also allowing flexibility for different shelter models.