Pittsfield Group Says Still Shortage Of Beds For Homeless
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There are still not enough beds available for Pittsfield's homeless.
Collette Hanlon is trying to combat the issue of homelessness in the city through efforts with the non-profit Co-Act. Her presentation to the Board of Health last week showed there was need for more housing — particularly for women.
"It is really hard to admire the beauty of the Berkshires when you are freezing in a tent in February," she told the Board of Health.
Co-Act just opened up a new transitional home for women on Francis Avenue that they've called Barbara's House. But it can only serve a total of six women. That doesn't fill the entire need of some 35 people per night that Co-Act housed during the winter two years ago.
The agency opened a shelter at the Salvation Army at that time and from December through April they housed and fed 35 men and women per night. Hanlon said the costs broke down to $2.50 per person and the shelter was supervised at all hours.
"We had very few issues," Hanlon said.
But buried in city laws is a ruling that the shelter they set up could only be opened 52 nights per year. Last winter, the city brought together organizations to help replace that need. Barton's Crossing and Soldier On opened up some 20 beds to help fill the void.
And there have been other options but it still isn't enough. Barton's Crossing fills the need for those who are sober and Soldier On has room for men. Mostly, there isn't enough room for women.
Nancy Quinton is a substance abuse counselor and she's been releasing patients onto the street when all of the housing options are full.
"We have to discharge them to the streets," Quinton said. "We need people to step up to the plate."
There is a need for emergency housing in the winter, for long-term programs and more halfway houses, the two said. Right now, there are individuals living in tents, in cars, "couch surfing" or even sleeping in the police station's lobby. That includes a number of city high school students, according to Hanlon.
"My job gets harder and harder every day because there is no space," Quinton said.
Hanlon said there needs to be an increase in every type of housing — for long-term, emergency, wet, dry, men and women. But the efforts of many groups trying to address those needs are currently disjointed, she said.
"The hope is somebody would get all of these groups and everybody put their data on the table," she said. "We need somebody to pull us together."
She hopes all of the various organizations can get together again to focus on what else is needed. Co-Act has the new house and would like to do more. Another group opened new "alternative living" dry shelters, Hanlon said. And each group has its own statistics on the needs.
The Board of Health was particularly curious as to why there can't be more emergency shelters. Member Jay Green said it isn't so much about staffing but rather opening the doors to a warm place for those who need it.
Tags: board of health, homeless, shelter,
