Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness | Housing First for Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire Counties

On Friday, May 31, over 150 Network partners gathered for our 8th Annual Gathering at Holyoke Community College. Every level of government and community across our four western counties came together in a call for action—and we were heard.

Jocephus Grant (left), a member of Springfield No One Leaves, shared his story of foreclosure and eviction. Photo credit: Carol Lollis, Daily Hampshire Gazette | Felicia Wheeler (right), a member of Neighbor to Neighbor, shared her story of eviction and housing search. Photo credit: Noelia Ortiz

Housing Secretary Ed Augustus shared words (with event MC Emily English of the Gandara Center). Photo credit: Noelia Ortiz

We heard from Housing Secretary Ed Augustus, Holyoke Mayor Josh Garcia, Senator Jo Comerford, Representative Patricia Duffy, Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Senator Adam Gomez, Representative Carlos González and Representative Lindsay Sabadosa about the need to act now to address this housing and homelessness crisis.

We were joined by a dozen other western MA legislators and staff and many of our western MA mayors*, and dozens of providers across every sector, all recognizing, if not living every day, the urgency for action.

We stared at the many grim facts about the rising numbers in homelessness, alongside the hope and progress in rehousing and housing development efforts.

You can see it all in the slide presentation and in the video below.

Media helped spread the message as well with coverage by:
The Springfield Republican/MassLive
Daily Hampshire Gazette
Western MA News
WWLP Channel 22
New England Public Media

Secretary Augustus, our Western MA legislators (some not pictured), our western MA mayors and our community partners and leaders. Photo credit: Noelia Ortiz

*Thanks to the following legislators, staff and mayors for being with us on Friday: Representatives Natalie Blais, Michael Finn, Kelly Pease, Lindsay Sabadosa and Aaron Saunders and Senator Oliveira and the offices of Senators John Velis and Paul Mark and the offices of Representatives Brian Ashe and Mindy Domb and Chicopee Mayor John Vieau, Westfield Mayor Mike McCabe, Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra, Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle and Pittsfield Mayor Peter Marchetti and the offices of Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congressman Jim McGovern.