Thomas P Smith House in South Portland, ME

Pros

• They provide art activities that help relieve anxiety and stress.
• They help people get on track and do good work.
• The atmosphere is welcoming; staff are understanding and polite, and they assist people with disabilities and mental health.
• They help people who would otherwise be homeless.
• Shalom House has helped people secure housing and is highly valued by clients.
• They do great things and are widely praised.
• They helped a family avoid homelessness after a serious injury.
• They provide a dependable place for those experiencing homelessness and ongoing support.
• They are an outstanding organization providing housing and healthcare to adults at risk of chronic homelessness.
• Steven Bridges has helped many clients and is well liked.

Cons

• They neglect their clients and don't provide any mental health services.
• They aren't up to fair market prices in Kittery, and they're not impressive.
• They were impressive for 12 years, but not anymore.
• The family shelter accused them of false things and tried to have their kids taken from them, and thought it was funny.
• They are only there to collect federal funding.
• They can't get help for their friend, and they do nothing for him.
• They tried to talk to a referral representative and received disrespect from the front desk; they were told there was no capability to call back and were asked to call back in 10 days.
• They don't go much anymore due to health reasons.

Review

Thomas P Smith House in South Portland, ME is best suited for adults confronting chronic housing instability or homelessness who need concrete help securing a roof over their heads and navigating housing resources. The program emphasizes practical outcomes over on-site clinical care, functioning as a clear path to stable housing through hands-on assistance with referrals, vouchers, and case management. Families and individuals who benefit from a structured, housing-first approach - where the aim is to get people housed and connected to essential supports - will find this community especially valuable. In substance, it serves as a launchpad for moving away from street or shelter conditions toward legitimate, lasting residence, with ongoing navigation support to maintain that stability.

Those who should consider alternatives include individuals who rely on robust mental health services or routine, reliable front-desk communications as a core expectation. A subset of reviewers reports disrespectful intake experiences and inconsistent follow-through on referrals, which can derail progress for someone already under stress. Concerns about pricing fairness and the reliance on nonprofit funding without clear clinical scope also surface in several accounts. For someone who needs consistent therapeutic services, medical oversight, or a more predictable customer-service experience, exploring other providers - especially those with stronger on-site clinical offerings or tighter service guarantees - is prudent.

On balance, the strongest positives are practical and measurable: staff described as warm, courteous, and helpful; multiple anecdotes of securing housing, obtaining vouchers, and helping people avoid homelessness. The organization functions as an effective anchor for adults at risk, with genuine success stories of stabilizing housing and reconnecting with basic needs. These outcomes matter because the core mission is tangible: move people into stable residences and guide them toward self-sufficiency. Yet the cons are real: some encounters with intake or front-desk staff can feel disrespectful or slow, and the depth of mental-health supports is variable, not consistently on-site or guaranteed. Where mental health needs exist, the absence of integrated, reliable services can blunt otherwise solid housing progress, and mixed opinions about pricing complicate the overall value proposition.

For families and individuals evaluating this option, the prudent path is to verify exactly what supports accompany housing. Specifically, inquire about on-site mental-health or disability services, how referrals are managed, and the expected timeline for placement or progression toward independent housing. Demand a clear intake timeline, a named point of contact, and a written plan detailing voucher eligibility, stay length, and criteria for advancement. Seek candid feedback from current residents about response times and referral processes, and request a tour that includes a frank discussion of both housing outcomes and available supports. Entering with realistic expectations about front-desk responsiveness and the scope of clinical services will reduce frustration and align choices with real priorities.

Overall, Thomas P Smith House offers a practical, action-oriented route to housing for adults at risk of chronic homelessness, backed by engaged staff and credible housing outcomes. It should be strongly considered by those who prize tangible progress toward stability, including families seeking to keep children housed and secure. It is less suitable for anyone whose primary need is consistent, comprehensive mental-health treatment, medical supervision on-site, or an entirely seamless intake experience. If those elements are non-negotiable, exploring alternatives with clearer clinical staffing, steadier communication, and transparent pricing may yield a better fit, even if the housing supports are more limited.

To move forward, request a direct intake meeting to discuss voucher options, residency terms, and the projected timeline toward independent housing. Obtain a specific case-manager contact and a written plan with milestones. Talk with several current residents to gauge current response times and support quality, and confirm whether any on-site mental-health services exist or whether referrals are required. Have a backup plan in place in case gaps persist, whether that means a provider with stronger clinical supports or a private affordable-housing option within budget. The bottom line is clear: for households prioritizing housing stability and resource navigation, this community can deliver meaningful, measurable results when expectations align with its practical scope.

Physicians

• Portland bone and joint specialists (0.2 miles)
• Scarborough Health Care (0.9 miles)
• Coastal Women's Healthcare (1 miles)
• Pediatric Cardiology Associates (1 miles)
• Scarborough Surgery Center (1.1 miles)
• Consultantsof Maine Cardiovascular PA (1.2 miles)
• Scarborough Family Medicine (1.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Thornton Heights United Methodist Church (0.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Hannaford Bros (1.5 miles)
• Target Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• The Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)

Restaurants

• El Rodeo (1.3 miles)
• Sebago Brewing Co (1.9 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (1.9 miles)
• The Shipyard Brewpub (2 miles)
• El Rayo Taqueria (2.4 miles)
• O'Reilly's Cure (2.5 miles)
• Foulmouthed Brewing (3.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.9 miles)
• Scarborough Grounds (2.6 miles)
• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• Tandem Coffee + Bakery (3.1 miles)
• Yordprom Coffee Shop (3.1 miles)
• The Holy Donut (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.4 miles)

Transportation

• Portland International Jetport (PWM) (2 miles)
• PWM Baggage Claim (2 miles)
• Northeast Air (2.1 miles)
• Portland Transportation Center (2.6 miles)

Parks

• Thompsons Point (2.4 miles)
• Western Promenade Park (2.6 miles)
• Bug Light Park (2.9 miles)
• Deering Oaks Park (3.3 miles)
• Congress Square Park (3.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Mercy Hospital (2.5 miles)
• Maine Medical Center - Chaplain's Office (2.9 miles)
• The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital (2.9 miles)
• Mercy Hospital Infusion Unit (3.2 miles)
• Maine Medical Center-Brighton Campus (3.4 miles)
• HealthSouth (3.4 miles)