Homelessness:  Our Housing Crisis and a Call to Action

HOUSING FIRST Is a philosophy that has inspired many to offer Permanent Supportive Housing to the homeless with no questions asked, and with easy access to holistic services.

Financial analysis in NYC and Boston show that the Housing First approach it is not only humane, but it saves $10,000/per person/year to provide housing and services vs supporting a person living on the street.

Please explore below for inspiration, financial analysis, and links to organizations in our area using the Housing First approach & sign up to support Housing First efforts in Franklin County!

RESOURCES:

SIGN-UP

Yes, I want to take an active role in Housing First efforts in Franklin County!

COST ANALYSIS IN BOSTON AND NYC: SUCCESS WITH HOUSING FIRST APPROACH

Breaking Ground, NYC, is committed to ending homelessness. It develops and sustains supportive and affordable housing and implements programs for homeless and other vulnerable New Yorkers – BG owns and manage over 4000 beds.

  • Program overview 2-pager includes cost analysis of housing vs supporting people on the street
  • “At a Glance” – 2-pager with FY19 statistics on # of units, # of people served, & sources of income and costs

Pine Street Inn, Boston, partners with homeless people to help them move from the streets and shelter to a home, and retain it. They tirelessly advocate for collaborative solutions to end homelessness. Pine Street owns and manages over 890 beds.

HOUSING FIRST EFFORTS IN OUR AREA

Three County Continuum of Care (COC), the Housing First program of HUD. COC promotes our communities commitment to end homelessness. Services, resources, advocacy and funds supportive housing such as Louison House in North Adams and more – COC volunteer form

Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA), offers and supports housing and community development in FC.

Rural Development Inc (RDI), works with its partners to expand housing and economic opportunities in FC and North Quabbin. Created by HRA in 1991

Valley Community Development (VCD), develops housing opportunities in Hamden, Hampshire Counties and more

W. MA Network to End Homelessness aims to prevent and end homelessness through a Housing First approach that centers racial equity, by coordinating state advocacy, coordinating responses to state and federal funding, and trainings.

Center for Human Development CHD offers community-oriented human services including supportive housing.

STATE-WIDE HOUSING FIRST EFFORTS

Massachusetts Housing Partnerships (MHP), support communities, housing authorities and nonprofits during the early stages of affordable housing development.

Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance (MHSA) is a public policy advocacy organization founded in 1988 to end homelessness by transforming the way Massachusetts addresses it, by building support for the Housing First approach, supporting and showcasing innovative programs that move people into permanent housing. They administer over 1,000 permanent, transitional and emergency shelter beds/units in more than 30 cities and towns across Massachusetts.

Original workshop description:

Explore with us what each of us can do to help address homelessness in Franklin County and the North Quabbin area. Learn about the causes, challenges, and opportunities from Shaundell Diaz, the Coordinated Entry Specialist for the Three County Continuum of Care, whose family experienced homelessness twice, and is now a new homeowner. Hear inspiring success stories from Lyndia Downie, President and Executive Director of the Pine Street Inn, in Boston, an award-winning program that aims to end homelessness by making permanent housing a reality for all, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Housing First approach. We will then take a deep dive into the challenges and what is being done in our area, with Keleigh Pereira, Director of the Three County Continuum of Care, at Community Action Pioneer Valley. With this information in hand, we will entertain questions and discuss organizing for action!

Panelists:

More Information: Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance

Date: Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Want to talk with others about these ideas? Try our community discussion board housingishumanright.net