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Council hears update on hotel residents, student placements and housing outlook ahead of hotel closure
Summary
Councilors and the superintendent received an update from Catholic Charities on families placed at a local hotel: of about 59 students, 29 families had placements; staff said few families appeared likely to find permanent housing in Saco and the hotel operations were scheduled to end September 30, 2025.
Councilors and school officials discussed the status of families residing at a local hotel and implications for students as agencies work on relocations ahead of the hotel's planned closure.
Superintendent Ray reported on a recent meeting with Catholic Charities and a housing‑navigator partner: about 59 students were currently associated with the hotel placement, roughly 29 of whom had placements lined up. Staff indicated that housing being secured for families was often outside Saco (examples cited included Lewiston and Biddeford) because affordable, available housing in Saco was scarce.
Agency representatives told the superintendent and city officials they were not backfilling rooms at the hotel. School and city staff said the hotel operations were scheduled to cease on September 30, 2025. Councilors said they want ongoing updates and offered to help if city assistance or council direction is needed.
Why it matters: the impending end of hotel operations could require relocation of families and students and may affect school enrollment, special‑education services and community supports. Councilors and staff described coordination with state and nonprofit partners and stressed the need to monitor placements and housing availability.
Background and context: the families were placed in 2022 under a state and nonprofit program; local officials said Saco school staff and city departments have worked closely with Catholic Charities and housing navigators and were praised by some agency representatives for their cooperation.
