MCLA Considering Temporary Homeless Housing on CampusMassachusetts College of Liberal Arts is considering turning the vacant Berkshire Towers dorm into a temporary homeless shelter. Pittsfield Homeless Committee Considers Clients' PetsOn Wednesday, the panel decided to create a subcommittee to brainstorm solutions for unhoused residents with furry friends. Homeless Committee Hears Data on Unsheltered Pittsfield StudentsDeputy Superintendent Marissa Mendoza informed the Homelessness Advisory Committee about the unsheltered school-aged population last week. Fenn Street Homeless Shelter Expected to Open in SpringAfter several years of anticipation, the First United Methodist Church's homeless shelter is set to open in the spring. Pittsfield Homelessness Committee Has Hopes for Community Health WorkerGabrielle DiMassimo has been in the role for about three months and works within the Health Department. The committee hopes it can be a resource to DiMassimo and a support network. Pittsfield Officials, Service Providers Discuss Homelessness in PCTV ForumThe city has been operating a temporary emergency shelter at the former St. Joseph's High School since the beginning of the pandemic. The capacity is currently set at 50, whereas the city's shelter formerly operated at a 20 percent capacity that doubled in the winter. Homeless Pittsfield Residents Ask City Council for Respect, SolutionsThree County Continuum of Care, which is the entity through which federal funding comes to the city for homeless services, determined that about 18 individuals are unsheltered and 92 individuals who are homeless but sheltered in a transitional housing program or in the shelter itself. City of Pittsfield Sets Public Forum on HomelessnessFollowing weeks of conversation about homelessness, the city will be holding a virtual forum with its community partners on the issue. Pittsfield Council Rejects Petition on Homelessness in City ParksWard 2 Councilor Charles Kronick's second attempt to evacuate homeless encampments was shot down by the City Council on Tuesday. Pittsfield Community Development Board OKs Permanent Supportive Housing ProjectIt is designated as permanent supportive housing, which combines affordable housing and support services to build independent living skills and connect people with health, treatment, and employment resources. Pittsfield City Council Rejects Public Hearing on Homeless EncampmentsA majority of the City Council on Tuesday shot down a councilor's attempt to have a public hearing on homeless campers in the city. 'A Sense of Place' Opening at Real Eyes GalleryThe pieces created by members of North Adams Contemporary (NAC) will be on display June 4 from 5-7 during an opening reception at RealEyes Gallery on 71 Park St. Louison Emergency Shelter Program Gets Boost From ARPA FundsLouison House is working to solve that problem by finding emergency shelter for people in Northern Berkshire who find themselves homeless as well as creating pathways to permanent housing. Homelessness Advisory Committee Sends Recommendations to Mayor TyerThe communication also calls out deficiencies in affordable housing and support services to help individuals maintain housing while addressing underlying needs that contributed to homelessness in the past. Williamstown Select Board Offers Financial Support to Louison House ShelterWilliamstown resident Michael Goodwin, the current president of the board of Louison House, told the board that the non-profit has secured $175,000 in state funds toward a $200,000 project to establish a shelter at the Mount Royal Inn on Route 8 in Adams. Pittsfield Homelessness Committee Drafts Recommendation Letter to MayorIn September, members were asked to identify service gaps in the city's response to homelessness and bring recommendations to the October meeting that will go to Tyer. Councilor Maffuccio Resigns From Homelessness Panel, Members Continue to Talk SolutionsWard 7 Councilor Anthony Maffuccio has resigned from the Homelessness Advisory Committee, citing frustrations with the ineffectiveness of the 10-month-old panel. Homelessness Committee Asked to Identify Service Area GapsAt its meeting on Tuesday, which was the first since June, members identified providing trauma-induced care and school transportation for children of homeless families as possible uses for the funds. Pittsfield Parks Commission Endorses Plan to Rid Parks of CampersThe Parks Commission on Tuesday unanimously accepted and endorsed a draft action plan to address overnight camping in the parks under its commission policy. This policy addresses the influx of homeless individuals who began seeking shelter most popularly at Springside Park in the summer of 2020. Pittsfield Homelessness Advisory Committee OKs Open MicrophoneThe Homelessness Advisory Committee on Wednesday voted to include a 15-minute open microphone at the beginning of their sessions, allowing members of the public to speak for three minutes each. |