Several months ago, area legislators reached out to learn more about the emergency shelter needs for people experiencing homelessness during COVID-19. The Network convened a meeting of area shelter providers and local leaders that has since grown to include many Western MA state legislators, municipal leaders and shelter and housing providers from the communities of: Springfield, Holyoke, Northampton, Amherst, Greenfield, Pittsfield and North Adams.
Below is a compilation of meeting minutes up until the present. Going forward, minutes will be posted in a more timely fashion as the meetings occur.
The Network is pleased to provide this vehicle for cross-community conversation and collaboration to provide the most vital protection in the face of this pandemic. The name of this group, The Western MA COVID-19 Task Force for Housing First, is deliberately aspirational in nature. While our first and most immediate concern is to ensure everyone has a safe place to sleep, we know our work is not done until everyone in need has a place to call home. Housing First is the way to make that happen, and never has it been more urgent than right now.
Meeting minutes of 9.8.20
Meeting minutes of 8.11.20
Meeting minutes of 7.21.20
Meeting minutes of 6.23.20
Meeting minutes of 6.10.20
