New Bedford Wins Federal Homeless Assistance Funds Totaling $1,739,069

Mayor Jon Mitchell announced today that the City of New Bedford has been awarded $1,739,069 in homeless assistance funding by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as part of a competitive grant process under the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) Program.

The competitive grant announced today is the culmination of an annual process led by the City of New Bedford Department of Planning, Housing and Community Development (DPHCD) in partnership with the Homeless Service Providers Network. The City of New Bedford coordinates a comprehensive response to homelessness using a “Continuum of Care” methodology through a local network known as the Homeless Service Provider Network (HSPN). A Continuum of Care (CoC) is a community’s plan or strategy to organize and deliver housing and services to meet the specific needs of people who are in the midst of a housing crisis and/or are experiencing homelessness as they move to stable housing and maximum self-sufficiency. A CoC strategy includes action steps to end homelessness and prevent a return to homelessness.

“The awarding of this federal grant is an occasion to highlight the important work that we are doing in New Bedford to address homelessness through a coordinated effort lead by the HSPN. I want to thank the more than 50 HSPN partners who are working with the City on a daily basis and without fanfare to address the complex issue of homelessness in New Bedford. This funding will enable that work to continue and will accelerate our efforts connect the homeless with permanent housing solutions that can lead to long-term stability,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell.

On December 20, 2016, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro awarded $1.95 billion in grants to provide funding to local homeless housing and service programs across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. HUD indicated that, “Today marks another critical investment in support of those working each and every day to house and serve our most vulnerable neighbors. We know how to end homelessness and will continue to encourage our local partners to use the latest evidence to achieve success. These grants support proven strategies to end homelessness once and for all.”

The CoC application requires city government, agencies, volunteers and the community at large to develop innovative strategies to help people experiencing homelessness. Comprehensive planning is coordinated by the City’s DPHCD and HSPN. The network coordinates the local Continuum of Care program and meets monthly with over 50 agencies dedicated to ending homelessness.

The grant funding will help to support nine local programs totaling $1,739,069.

Patrick Sullivan, Director of the City of New Bedford DPHCD stated, “The funding achieved through these grants is essential for people experiencing homelessness. Over the last several years, the New Bedford Continuum of Care funding awards have shifted the focus towards the goals of our plan; the provision of permanent housing solutions that encourage self-sufficiency. Providing access to affordable housing remains a fundamental component in battling homelessness and is essential for the health and economic stability of New Bedford families. The strategic vision of the many agencies and partners of the HSPN has again ensured that hundreds of individuals and families will have an opportunity for housing in our community.”

The HSPN holds monthly public meetings to proactively address the most pressing issues around the complexity of homelessness. Anyone interested in learning more about the work of the HSPN is encouraged to visit www.nbhspn.com.

The $1.7 million in HUD CoC grant funding announced will be distributed to the following agencies addressing homelessness in New Bedford:

1. THE CALL (Catholic Social Services) ($46,757) – “THE CALL,” a program of Catholic Social Services, is a coordinated intake and assessment system for individuals and families experiencing homelessness across all agency lines. By dialing 1-800-HOMELESS from a 508 or 774 area code, families and individuals can access services and shelter offered locally including assistance with immediate and long-term housing needs as well as access to community and mainstream resources they need to stabilize in housing. This is a streamlined process that standardizes the shelter and support system for everyone while coordinating the referral process for everyone seeking shelter, housing and other services through a single point of entry.
2. HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (HMIS City of New Bedford) $ 29,524 — “HMIS” is a mandated federal system used locally to aggregate data about the extent and nature of homelessness over time; produce an unduplicated count of homeless persons; understand patterns of service use; and measure the effectiveness of homeless assistance projects and programs. Data produced through HMIS is used for multiple purposes including strategic planning, monitoring the efficacy of programs and generating federally-mandated reporting for the City.
3. FAMILY PRESERVATION PROGRAM (SEMCOA) $ 260,920—The Family Preservation Program is a permanent supportive housing program for families and households with children who have a disability and/or substance abuse disorder. The program has 16 scattered site housing units throughout the city with 46 beds of which 23 are designated as serving those considered chronically homeless.
4. TRANSITION TO STABILITY (Catholic Social Services) $ 199,896 —The Transition to Stability Program is a “Rapid Re-Housing” program for families or households with children that utilize a “Housing First” approach to address homelessness—one which is considered a “best practice” by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. Besides housing placement, clients may also receive financial assistance, rental assistance and/or supportive services. The program has 10 scattered site housing units throughout the city with 26 beds of which 22 are designated for those meeting the definition of “chronically homeless.”
5. STEP UP (Positive Action Against Chemical Addition/PAACA) $ 277,130 —Step-Up is a permanent supportive housing program for families or households with children that helps hard to place clients with a variety of disabilities in stable housing. Clients participate in employment training programs with the eventual goal of independent living. The program has 15 scattered site housing units throughout the city with 36 beds of which 18 are designated as serving chronically homeless.
6. PORTICO (Catholic Social Services) $ 591,092 — The Portico Program is a permanent supportive housing program for families or households with children focusing on helping them maximize housing stability, increase their income and achieve greater self-determination. The program has 46 scattered site housing units throughout the city with 123 beds of which 105 are designated for those experiencing chronic homelessness.
7. PRISM (Catholic Social Services) $109,300 Prism is a permanent supportive housing program for chronically homeless individuals based on their vulnerability through the continuum of care’s coordinated entry system. The program consists of 6 units/12 beds through scattered site housing. Clients have access to a life skills coach to work and emphasize problem solving skills, basic life skills, reach therapeutic goals and connect to community resources in order to maximize housing stability, increase income and achieve greater self-determination.
8. WELCOME HOME (Steppingstone) $ 170,590— The Welcome Home Program is a permanent supportive housing program for individuals and families with a disabled head of household who has HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and chronic mental health issues. The program has 11 scattered site housing units throughout the city with 13 beds of which 7 are designated for those experiencing chronic homelessness.
9. COC PLANNING GRANT (CITY/HSPN) $54,130 – The Planning Grant will assist the CoC to implement a new strategic plan through a range of activities and in particular, enhance both the CoC’s performance and the measurement and evaluation of that performance going forward.

For more information about the City’s efforts to address homelessness, please contact City of New Bedford’s Department of Planning, Housing & Community Development at (508) 979-1500 or visit the HSPN’s website at www.nbhspn.com.