ServiceNet Warming Shelter Open and Busy
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Community members can escape the harsh temperatures and have a hot beverage at ServiceNet's warming shelter, which began in November and has been busy since.
Erin Forbush, ServiceNet's director of shelter and housing, said people will typically trickle in when a shelter opens. That was not the case for the pop-up space in First United Methodist Church's dining area, next to ServiceNet's 40-bed shelter, The Pearl.
"This year, we had 23 people on day one, so I think that really is a telltale sign of days to come," Forbush told the Homelessness Advisory Committee on Wednesday.
"We've all been talking about how this issue of people being unhoused is increasing, and I think it's really telling because last year, when we opened, and the weather wasn't significantly different, I had three people on day one, and for the first week even, I had single single digits for a census."
So far, there have been between 14 and 25 guests at the warming shelter per day. It is open from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. seven days a week, and while there are no beds, people can stay for breakfast.
ServiceNet received funding from the state Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities for the effort.
Forbush reported that they had "wonderful" community engagement around blankets, so much that they had to ask donors to hold off while they find space to store them.
"The blankets have come in really handy. The folks that are using the warming center are able to use those. It's been a really good time with people coming in and helping," she said.
"We have a new setup that we do and break down, and people have been really helpful about being part of the team with us and getting that all put together."
While The Pearl still has a waitlist for a bed, case-management services are offered to individuals.
Director of Community Development Justine Dodds thanked the service agency for its work with unhoused community members, recognizing the stress from funding uncertainties while the need is growing.
In other news, a large, supportive housing development in the city will have a ribbon-cutting later this month.
It was announced that the housing resource center and supportive units at Zion Lutheran Church and on West Housatonic Street will be debuted to the community on Dec. 18.
Last year, Hearthway, formerly Berkshire Housing Development Corp., broke ground on 37 new units of permanent supportive housing, 28 on vacant land on West Housatonic Street and nine at Zion Lutheran Church on First Street. The project includes an 8,000-square-foot housing resource center in the church's basement, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, with bathrooms, showers, laundry, offices for service providers to meet with clients, and more.
There will be facility tours followed by remarks. The Zion apartments will most likely be leased by that time, and the West Housatonic units will be leased up in January.
"What a relief to everyone who's worked so hard on this," HAC Chair Kim Borden said.
"… I think if I had to say one thing that I'm grateful for in Pittsfield, in all my years of human services, it's the collaboration. It's the community coming together."
Tags: homeless, Housing program,
