If you're interested in joining the City of New Bedford's Homeless Service Provider Network (HSPN), now is your opportunity! The 2021 HSPN Membership Form is available here in a convenient fillable format. Simply complete the application and either mail it in to Jennifer.Clarke@newbedford-ma.gov or drop it in the mail to the HSPN c/o the City of New Bedford's Office of Housing & Community Development, 608 Pleasant Street, New Bedford MA 02740. All received applications will be presented to the HSPN's Executive Committee for final review and [ Continue reading. ]
SISTER ROSE AWARD 2020 ANNOUNCED
The HSPN presented its Annual Sister Rose Award for 2020 to Danielle Brown with Steppingstone during its virtual December HSPN membership meeting. The award recognizes an outstanding current or former member of the New Bedford HSPN or member agency staff and is named in honor of its first recipient, Sister Rose Ellen Gallogly, former Executive Director of Market Ministries (renamed the Sister Rose House) and one of the founding members of the HSPN. Danielle received multiple nominations for the prestigious award and was unanimously voted as recipient [ Continue reading. ]
RESOURCE SNAPSHOT for COVID VACCINATIONS
There's a tremendous amount of information that has recently been made available relative to the availability of COVID-19 vaccinations. But what about those experiencing homelessness? Whether you are unsheltered or sheltered, or if you operate a program for those experiencing homelessness, be sure to take a look at this "Resource Snapshot" that presents some introductory information as to resources available to you online. Take a look at the RESOURCE SNAPSHOT.Homelessness and the Covid Vaccine here! [ Continue reading. ]
The New Bedford Rent Help website (NBRENTHELP.COM) is up and running!
A new website is now up and running specifically identifying New Bedford-based resources needed in the wake of COVID. The "New Bedford COVID Housing Resources" website reflects a collaborative effort between PACE, the HSPN, South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Catholic Social Services and NeighborWorks Housing Solutions. Resources include those around rental/mortgage assistance, legal assistance, finding shelter, utility assistance and food access. The site is easy to navigate and provides translated information in both Portuguese and Spanish. [ Continue reading. ]
COVID-19 Legal Help Project Website Now Open
Covid Eviction Legal Help Project was formed to expand the capacity of legal aid organizations in MA to provide urgently needed legal assistance in COVID-related eviction cases. They have launched a new website to provide information about resources and services. If you need help with an eviction in Massachusetts you may be eligible for free help from a lawyer. There are six regional legal aid programs who will assist low income tenants ; in New Bedford, South Coastal Counties Legal Services (and member of the HSPN) is the regional legal aid [ Continue reading. ]
STREETSHEET COVID-19 EDITION RELEASED!
The City of New Bedford's Office of Housing & Community Development has released a COVID-19 Edition of its StreetSheet. This special edition sheet includes important community resources that are especially relevant during the public health crisis. Information includes resources for shelter access, prevention of homelessness, legal services, housing assistance, food access and where to file for MA Unemployment Insurance. In addition, current COVID testing sites are described by location and test days/hours. Go to the HSPN [ Continue reading. ]
Valuing the voice of those experiencing homelessness…through the VOTE!
With all that is going on in the word it might be easy to dismiss the importance of registering to vote, especially if you live in a shelter, your car, the woods or at a friend's house. Just because someone might be experiencing homelessness doesn't mean they can't register to vote and then vote! Your voice matters, and there's no greater way to be heard than ensuring you vote! Check out the three different ways you can register to vote and what you need to know today by checking out the New Bedford HSPN's Voting and Homelessness Fact Sheet [ Continue reading. ]
2020 POINT IN TIME NUMBERS RELEASED!
The City of New Bedford has conducted its annual “Point In Time” (PIT) count that creates a census of those individuals and families experiencing homelessness within the city, both sheltered (living in emergency or transitional housing) and unsheltered (on the streets/in places not meant for human habitation). Concurrent with that is the development of the city's "Housing Inventory Count" (HIC) that provides an inventory of specific emergency, transitional and permanent housing opportunities for those experiencing homelessness in New Bedford. This is [ Continue reading. ]
2020 STREETSHEETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW!
The City of New Bedford's Office of Housing & Community Development has released the 2020 StreetSheet! Go to the HSPN Resource Page to access a copy of the sheet in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Hard copies of the StreetSheets are also available upon request by contacting Jennifer.Clarke@newbedford-ma.gov. (Copies will be available for distribution once City of New Bedford's municipal office hours resume.) [ Continue reading. ]
HUD ANNOUNCES NEW BEDFORD COC AWARD!
HUD awards $1.6 million in homeless assistance funding to New Bedford Article originally published in the Standard Times February 11.2020 NEW BEDFORD – The group tasked with combating homelessness in the area has been awarded a grant from the federal Department of Housing & Urban Development under its Continuum of Care program. The Homeless Service Providers Network, led by the City’s Office of Housing & Community Development, has been awarded $1,673,610 in homeless assistance funding The grant awards announced at the end of January are [ Continue reading. ]
