We had two big announcements this past week that will impact our region’s work to prevent and end homelessness:
The City of Northampton announced its option to purchase the First Baptist Church in downtown Northampton to house the Community Resilience Hub. Read about it in the Daily Hampshire Gazette here. The Hub will offer connection to a wide range of support services for people experiencing homelessness, housing stability and other emergency needs (which it is currently doing on a smaller scale based out of Manna Soup Kitchen). As reported in the article:
“I am proud to announce a giant leap forward toward realizing a Community Resilience Hub in Northampton,” [Mayor] Sciarra said in a statement. “The search for a home for these critical services has been exhaustive, but I believe this building has been worth the wait.”
Thanks to the City of Northampton for their commitment to bringing to fruition the Hub site and all that it will offer.
The Town of Amherst announced its option to purchase the VFW site in Amherst to build a permanent shelter for its community residents facing homelessness. See The Daily Hampshire Gazette here. As reported in the article:
Both Gerry Weiss, president of the Craig’s Doors board, and Timothy McCarthy, executive director of Craig’s Doors, issued a statement praising Bockelman and Assistant Town Manager David Ziomek for securing the site.
“That we can partner with the town to provide a permanent shelter as well as affordable housing for our guests and others in need of housing, fills us with delight,” they said.
Thanks to the Town of Amherst for making this significant investment in keeping people safe and supported on their path to permanent and stable housing.
