 Homelessness Advisory Committee Talks Permanent Supportive HousingPittsfield is looking into the concept of micro-housing units as a solution to its homelessness problem.  Advocates Concerned for Pittsfield Unsheltered as Winter DeepensLocal homelessness advocates say the city needs to take a different approach to aid the unsheltered population.  Pittsfield Establishes New Homeless Advisory CommitteeAs the Pittsfield officials grapple with homelessness solutions, the appointment of a reworked Homeless Advisory Committee yields hope. "We are eager to have the new Homeless Advisory Committee get started," Mayor Linda Tyer said on Tuesday as 15 appointments were made to the new advisory committee.  Maffucio Calls for Investigation of Homeless Shelter, Change in Park PolicyWard 7 Councilor Anthony Maffuccio brought two petitions to City Council on Tuesday calling for an investigation into conditions at the temporary shelter at former St. Joseph's School and challenging the city"s policy of evicting the encampment at Springside Park.  City Council Asks Mayor Tyer for 75K to Assist the HomelessThe temporary shelter set up at the former St. Joseph's School to comply with pandemic restrictions was closed in July, leading to many of the shelter's occupants camping in Springside Park.  Pittsfield Seeks Solutions to Daytime Warming Shelters for HomelessMayor Linda Tyer this week said the city of Pittsfield is feeling discouraged from the lack of community organizations willing to host a warming shelter that will house homeless individuals during the hours that the St. Joseph's temporary winter shelter on Maplewood Avenue is closed.  Pittsfield Schools Subcommittee OKs Policies on Education StabilityThe policies are to ensure that these students are receiving proficient education and that they are immediately enrolled upon entering the district.  Pittsfield Parks Commission Sets Date to Evacuate HomelessThe commission will be evacuating the park by Dec. 1 in hopes these individuals will choose to relocate to the recently reopened COVID-19 shelter at the former St. Joseph's high school on Maplewood Avenue.  Pittsfield Committee Talks Housing Options for HomelessThe committee on Thursday heard from a number of sources on the issue, including Community Development Director Deanna Ruffer, who said the city has been working agencies to define what type of project would work for a homeless population whose needs have changed.  Pittsfield Homeless Committee Chairman Defends EffortsThe council approved an amended ordinance earlier in the month creating a Homeless Advisory Committee that better clarifies the group's purpose, reporting requirements and advocacy for funding sources.  Pittsfield Homelessness Committee Addresses Council QuestionsThe Homelessness Prevention Committee met on Tuesday morning to answer some questions that City Council had about its infrastructure and community outreach work.  Pittsfield Mayor, City Council Urged to Adopt 'Housing First' ModelIn response, commission unanimously approved to resolution urging Mayor Linda Tyer and the City Council to draft a housing first policy as a fundamental human right given to individuals before they are expected to clean up their lives.  Homeless Continue to Leave Pittsfield Parks\Recreation Activities Coordinator Becky Manship gave her report and said the annual Halloween Parade has been canceled because of the pandemic.  Pittsfield City Council Asks Homelessness Committee For ReportsThe council unanimously sent the group of petitions, signed by Councilors Dina Guiel Lampiasi and Earl Persip, on Tuesday demanding some answers from the committee that has met infrequently since the pandemic began.  Pittsfield Homelessness Prevention Commission MeetsThe Homelessness Prevention Commission met for the first time in months on Wednesday and endorsed a Fenn Street shelter approved later that day by the Community Development Board.  Pittsfield Planners Approve Downtown Homeless ShelterThe board approved the shelter’s application Wednesday with 12 conditions — one of which gives the downtown community two years to find an alternate location  Pittsfield Council Subcommittee Talks Homelessness SolutionsThe Committee on Public Health and Safety had a lengthy conversation on homelessness in the community and set immediate and long-term goals.  Pittsfield Planners Continue Homeless Shelter HearingWith new information from the shelter developers Tuesday, the board agreed to once again to continue, feeling not all their questions were answered.  Pittsfield Parks Redirect Springside Park DonationsThe Parks Commission approved a draft statement on Tuesday that would redirect donations for the homeless in Springside Park toward service providers.  Pittsfield City Council to Discuss Homeless SolutionsThe three petitions ask officials to consider measures to safeguard the homeless and begin a conversation about homelessness within the city limits.  Pittsfield Planners Delay Downtown Homeless Shelter VoteThe Community Development Board continued a hearing allowing more time to consider the development of a homeless shelter downtown.  Homeless Encampments Springing Up in Pittsfield ParksParks and Open Space Manager James McGrath fielded some of the parks commissioners' questions and concerns Tuesday about the influx of the homeless in the city parks — most notably in Springside Park.  Former St. Joe's Serving Nearly 50 Homeless During PandemicFire Chief Thomas Sammons said it was clear from the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak that the 120-year-old school would have a part to play.  Helping Hands Founder Gathers Group to Tackle HomelessnessAnd now Honig and a group of other regular contributors on the page are targeting one specific need in the community: resources for those without housing stability. That grew from a post on the page where someone was searching for a tent to provide shelter while they were without permanent housing. |
| More Stories |
Send news, tips, press releases and questions to info@iBerkshires.com
Send sports news to sports@iBerkshires.com
Send sports news to sports@iBerkshires.com