Organization

Membership

There is no membership fee or dues and all are welcome to join the HSPN!  Membership does provide opportunity to more actively engage with the continuum and it is encouraged.  Generally organizations, community groups, agencies, and other entities join the CoC but individuals are also invited.

Questions can send to Jennifer.Clarke@newbedford-ma.gov or asked through the City of New Bedford’s Office of Housing & Community Development at 508.979.1500.

Member Agreement

The Homeless Service Provider Network’s mission is to strategically end homelessness and advocate on behalf of homeless individuals by enlisting the cooperation of homeless providers, community stakeholders, foundations, businesses, the faith community and educational institutions, to improve the accessibility of existing public resources, to maintain statistical data on the homeless population, and to provide supportive services and empowerment strategies to allow individuals and families experiencing homelessness or on the verge of homelessness to be integrated into the community through a compassionate Continuum of Care.  The HSPN is committed to the concept that each person is entitled to live in dignity.

A signed copy of the HSPN 2023 MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT FORM returned to the City of New Bedford’s Office of Housing & Community Development (either by mail at attention: Jennifer Clarke at 608 Pleasant Street New Bedford, MA 02740 or via email at Jennifer.Clarke@newbedford-ma.gov) and acceptance of the membership request by the HSPN’s Executive Committee serves as the basis of membership in the HSPN. There is no membership fee or dues and all are welcome!

Active membership allows member agencies/organizations/stakeholders a voice in the decision-making progress for issues brought before the HSPN.  These issues presented to the group may include the identification of homeless needs and the prioritization of projects for the annual Continuum of Care application.  Active membership also allows the opportunity for access to federal homelessness funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that are administered by the City of New Bedford’s Office of Housing & Community Development for qualified, eligible applicants.

The HSPN traditionally meets the third Thursday of every month either virtually via Zoom or in person at the Office of Housing & Community Development’s (OHCD) office on the second floor of the Anthony S. Catojo Building (Art Museum) at 608 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, Massachusetts 02740. Contact the OHCD at 508.979.1500 for information about upcoming meetings.