Three County Continuum of Care August 2024 Newsletter (9th ed.)

1. Have You Heard?

It's that time of the year...HUD released the FY2024 and FY2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity on July 31st. More than $3.5 billion has been allocated to this grant. In the coming days, the CoC will provide more information on project priorities, application due dates, and funding available...so stay tuned!

2. Legislative and Advocacy Updates

On August 1, the Massachusetts Legislature passed the Affordable Homes Act. Still waiting for the Governor's signature, this bill authorizes over $5 billion for housing over the next five years. Check out what the State House News has to say here, but some highlights of the bill are an eviction sealing measure, allowing accessory dwelling units to be built by-right in single-family zoning districts, and the creation of a Supportive Housing Pool Fund.

Make sure to subscribe to the Western MA Network to End Homelessness blog for more updates.

On a more somber note, Governor Healey's administration has imposed incredibly strict eligibility requirements on families accessing Emergency Assistance (the family shelter system). Only families that meet specific criteria (homeless due to no fault eviction, fire, flood, or other disaster; have a veteran in household; are aging out of a DCF program; feeling domestic violence; or have specific medical needs) will be prioritized for shelter. If a family is experiencing homelessness but does not fit into any of the above categories, they can stay in an overflow site for only five days. That stay in an overflow site makes a family ineligible for six months (or more) to apply for a shelter bed.

This policy decision, combined with the Supreme Court's recent ruling that municipalities have the right to fine and arrest people sleeping outdoors on public property, is incredibly troubling for all the families and individuals experiencing housing instability and homelessness in the Commonwealth.

3. Community Updates

The CoC, in collaboration with the Youth Action Board (YAB) organized a collection drive for people experiencing homelessness. The collection is still ongoing, but many items have been collected and the engagement of the Western Mass community has been great.

On June 17, the CoC hosted an in person Gathering at Greenfield Community College. It was incredible to bring partners from all four western counties together to connect, network, and discuss the importance of racial equity. Hopefully we'll see you at the next one!

The 2024 Point in Time (PIT) Count Report ... is on its way! CoC staff and committee members are working diligently to complete this and the Gaps Analysis. Each report will be sent out as soon as they are completed, so keep your eyes on your inbox :)

4. Things to Read

Off the Street: A Journey from Homelessness to a Room of One's Own in New York City by Jennifer Egan (The New Yorker)
- "The forces underlying modern homelessness are many and complex, but they boil down to a withdrawal of the federal government’s commitment to providing either affordable housing or a functional safety net for its vulnerable citizens. S.S.I. benefits for disabled Americans are burdensome to apply for and frequently denied, and they often exclude addiction, or addiction-related disabilities like cirrhosis, as qualifying conditions. Even when granted, S.S.I. pays a maximum of about a thousand dollars per month, depending on the region—which, even in its entirety, is only half the median market rent for a studio apartment in New York City. Medicaid under managed care is failing catastrophically to meet Americans’ mental-health needs—including those of people suffering from opioid-use disorder who would benefit from medication-assisted treatment, fewer than twenty per cent of whom have received it. Despite measurable progress since the early two-thousands, the number of Americans who fall into homelessness each year exceeds the number who exit from it."
Out of Reach: The High Cost of Housing by the National Low Income Housing Coalition
- "In Massachusetts, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment
  is $2,332. In order to afford this level of rent and utilities — without paying
  more than 30% of income on housing — a household must earn $7,772 monthly
  or $93,268 annually"
California's Homelessness Is a Failure of Will by Matthew Desmond (The New York Times)
- "And look, I get it. Homeless encampments can be scary and gross. They can compromise public safety. They can harm small businesses. But, Californians, I’ve got to say: After years of rebuffing sensible policies and resisting reforms that would directly address the affordable housing crisis, what did you think would happen?"

5. Upcoming Events & Trainings

August 6th: Nothing About Us Without Us: Building Empathy Through Empowering those with Lived Experience a Two-Part Community Empowerment and Service Provider Training

This training was developed by people with lived experience of homelessness for service providers. It incorporates invaluable perspectives to foster empathy and enhance the effectiveness of service delivery. Designed to be all-encompassing, the training covers an extensive array of subjects, ranging from understanding and mitigating stigma to identifying and addressing inherent biases. Through this comprehensive approach, the training aims to equip service providers with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver more compassionate and effective services.
Register for Part 1 on August 6th from 12:00-2:00pm

August 6th: National Alliance to End Homelessness hosting their State of Homelessness Webinar: A Path Forward

August 8th: Equal Access Rule - Inclusive Housing Projects for LGBTQIA+ Individuals and Families

HUD’s Equal Access Rule, expanded upon in 2016, ensures that HUD’s housing and shelter programs are open to all eligible individuals and families regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status. This session will provide participants with a better understanding of this rule and help ensure that housing project(s) are in compliance. A brief review of common language will be provided, before a deeper dive into the Equal Access Rule and Gender Identity Rule. The workshop will be presented by James Shultis.
Register for this virtual training from 10:00-11:00am

August 13th: Nothing About Us Without Us: Building Empathy Through Empowering those with Lived Experience a Two-Part Community Empowerment and Service Provider Training

August 15th: Inclusive Language in Housing Programs: Pronouns & Beyond

Designed for community providers, equip yourself and your programs with a better grasp on inclusive language to support trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive program participants, your team, your larger community. We'll begin with a brief primer on pronouns and affirming language; then move on to explore the impact of mistakes, misgendering, and microaggressions. Providers can use this session to practice; challenge their assumptions, and work on building their confidence to use affirming and inclusive language in their everyday practice. Session will conclude with tips and strategies for community engagement and brief resource sharing. The workshop will be presented by James Shultis.
Register for this virtual training from 10:00am-12:00pm

August 29th: Inclusive Language in Housing Programs: Pronouns & Beyond

Designed for community providers, equip yourself and your programs with a better grasp on inclusive language to support trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive program participants, your team, your larger community. We'll begin with a brief primer on pronouns and affirming language; then move on to explore the impact of mistakes, misgendering, and microaggressions. Providers can use this session to practice; challenge their assumptions, and work on building their confidence to use affirming and inclusive language in their everyday practice. Session will conclude with tips and strategies for community engagement and brief resource sharing. The workshop will be presented by James Shultis.
Register for this virtual training from 10:00am-12:00pm

September 12th: Into Action: Next Steps for LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Housing Programs (please note that attendance at either the August 15th or 29th training is a prerequisite to attend this)

Designed as a next steps session for community providers - this session will offer space for participants to discuss a variety of scenarios they may encounter in their programs to apply their knowledge and skills for more affirming and inclusive LGBTQIA+ programs. There will be opportunities to discuss successes and challenges, linkages to care, and community referrals; explore questions, and review action steps that may have been taken since the August session(s). The workshop will be presented by James Shultis.
Register for this virtual training from 10:00am-12:00pm

6. Hiring

The CoC is hiring for a Program Director and Compliance Manager! Apply now!

Community Legal Aid, a non-profit legal services program, is hiring for a receptionist in their new Greenfield office! The receptionist will work with a team of individuals dedicated to providing free, high-quality legal services to low-income and elderly clients. Duties include answering telephone calls, greeting visitors, screening clients, data entry, filing, and other clerical tasks. The receptionist will also interpret and translate for Spanish-speaking clients. CLA’s work hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.

The individual must be bilingual in English and Spanish. Strong client service orientation and ability to multi-task and work under pressure required. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated concern for and commitment to the goals of legal services and to helping low-income people, and will have prior experience as a receptionist or secretary in a nonprofit setting.

The starting salary for this position is $45,869, which is based on a union scale and adjusted upward depending on experience. CLA offers a very generous benefits package that includes 401(k) with employer-paid contribution; low-cost health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees and their dependents; paid leave (4 weeks vacation, 3 personal days, 12 sick days, and 13 holidays); and relocation stipend.

Please submit cover letter and resume to: Alicia Vaughan, HR Director, Community Legal Aid, 370 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608, or email avaughan@cla-ma.org.

The Office of Senator Jo Comerford is seeking a Director of Constituent Services. The Director of Constituent Services is the key contact and manager for constituent assistance. In collaboration
with, and at the direction of the Senator and Chief of Staff, the Director of Constituent Services acts as a liaison with federal, state, and local entities and utilizes a variety of strategies, tools, and skills to resolve constituent problems and facilitate the delivery of public services. The Director of Constituent Services reports to the Chief of Staff. This position can be based out of either the State House or District office. The salary range is $57,308-$72,680. To apply please send a resume and cover letter to Jared.Freedman@MASenate.gov