PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Homelessness Advisory Committee over the last year has worked to understand the many layers of homelessness and how to address service gaps.  

To connect housing-insecure community members with services, the panel launched housing resource fairs and plans to continue them on a quarterly basis.

Last week, the HAC approved a 2023 annual report to be sent to Mayor Linda Tyer. Five priority actions have been identified for fiscal 2024: a flow chart for housing services, quarterly housing resource fairs, supportive services paired with housing, increased winter shelter capacity,  and future planning for housing development.

Established in 2020 when homelessness was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, its purpose is to advise the mayor and City Council on the topic with efforts focusing on advocacy and education.  The 15-member panel works with community leaders, city residents, and service providers.

"Over the past year, the committee discussed many issues surrounding homelessness, housing insecurity, and how these issues affect our community.  The committee heard from providers of programs and services that work with city residents who are housing insecure in order to understand the assets and resources available to Pittsfield residents," the report reads.

"In addition to bringing awareness and understanding for providers and human service professionals about these resources currently at work in our community and how they can be accessed, this process also helped identify limitations and gaps in services, whether it be underfunding or the need for increased capacity."

The HAC looked at ways that homelessness and housing insecurity intersected with different populations who have specialized needs such as the elderly, youth and young adults, homiest violence survivors, veterans, and justice-involved individuals.

This included presentations from:  

• Berkshire Dream Center
• Department of Mental Health
• Berkshire Housing Services
• Pittsfield Public Schools
• Elizabeth Freeman Center
• Three County Continuum of Care
• The Alternate Living Center
• The Brien Center
• Pittsfield Housing Authority ?

Communications were also made with the city's social worker and community health worker who began their work last year.

The first housing resource fair was held in April with 11 participating agencies and another was held last week.

The report states that the HAC is fully supportive of the city's projects to address housing insecurity including the 41 affordable housing units on White Terrace, 35 permanent supportive housing units on West Housatonic Street and First Street, and the creation of a housing resource center.

Last year, the city allocated $8.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for these efforts.

A housing resource center provides a safe place to access showers, restrooms, laundry, mail, food, and support services and was recommended by the committee last year.

"The HAC is grateful that this suggestion has become a reality," the report reads. "These critical projects address both the supply of affordable housing units and provide support for those experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in Pittsfield."

The committee said housing models do exist in Pittsfield but the funding is not robust enough or stable enough to deliver supportive services that meet the needs of the population. Because of this, many who transition from a shelter or other temporary living situation into permanent housing often don't succeed and the cycle is repeated, the HAC reported.

It called for increased advocacy for these supports, which includes proper funding and the recognition that supports are a vital part of affordable housing and must be linked.

The HAC also feels that efforts need to be focused on preserving and increasing the utilization of the existing housing stock through rehabilitation and other incentives to address the housing crisis.

"The Community Development Office, in partnership with MassHousing's Neighborhood Hub program, is currently working on an inventory of properties on the Westside," the report reads.

"The inventory will include the current condition of the property, ownership, tax title status, and title status. This work will also include strategies for redevelopment and potential financing sources.  The HAC is fully supportive of these efforts and will continue to advocate for the rescue of vacant and underutilized property as the most effective tool to increasing the supply of housing units."

A new 40-bed shelter operated by ServiceNet is set to be opened later this month in the First United Methodist Church.  This was reported by Director of Shelter and Housing Erin Forbush during last week's meeting along with the announcement that it will be called the Pearl Street Shelter.

The 6,000-square-foot emergency shelter has been in the planning process since 2020 when its location was approved. It will replace the shelter at the former St. Joseph's High School that opened soon after the pandemic began.

Annual Report HAC September... by Brittany Polito

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