Blog

Pamela provided an update on meetings with SMOC and Valley CDC regarding discussion of their policies pertaining to housing sex offenders . Waiting to hear back from both regarding continuing the dialogue on this issue.  Pamela will follow-up next week, as well as follow-up with HAPHousing.

Richard Hendricks is continuing his effort to obtain housing for a man who committed a sex offense a very long time ago and is battling two forms of cancer. He has not had any progress with SMOC but is now in conversation with Easthampton Housing Authority.

Angela Recchia of Franklin County Home Care Corp reported on seeing an increase in the number of seniors coming to them with sex offense histories.  The limited options are a real challenge.

Discussed nursing homes and current case law that prevents nursing homes from imposing an absolute ban on sex offenders; instead must consider case-by-case.

We discussed where we should focus our energies as as committee while we continue on the path of pursuing policy change among housing providers.  We agreed that at our next meeting we will discuss future outreach efforts, e.g., to resume outreach to the faith community or reach out to nursing homes or reach out to residential recovery programs and sober houses. Agreed that we need to embark on a new focus while we continue parallel efforts with housing providers.

Next meeting:
Wednesday, February 12