The Lewiston City Council has concluded a two-year effort to assess the needs of immigrants and refugees in the city. Among the report’s biggest recommendations is the development of a centralized office to work with them and also to improve language services.
City Council President Kristen Cloutier says language barriers make every aspect of life harder for immigrants and refugees.
“It affects everything from accessing health care services to being able to communicate with your child’s teacher, to filling out a job application,” she says.
The report also recommends that the city continue its efforts to improve the stock of safe and affordable housing and to create more good jobs.
The report will be presented in a working group at Tuesday’s city council meeting.