February 1, 2010 Barnstable County Commissioner Sheila Lyons, Co-Chair of the Cape and Islands Regional Network to End Homelessness, announced today that a new 24/7 homelessness prevention hotline is now available, to provide emergency overnight housing to local families and individuals who have lost their home and have no place to stay. The hotline, operated by Community Action Committee of the Cape and Islands, can be reached at 1-888-656-2233.
Commissioner Lyons explained that the hotline, funded by a Massachusetts Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness grant to the County, is part of a collaborative multi-agency effort aimed at preventing homelessness. The hotline will serve individuals and families in the communities of Barnstable County, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket by providing one call access to experienced homelessness prevention advocates.
Beth Albert, Barnstable County’s Director of Human Services, said that hotline staffers will be able to arrange local emergency overnight housing, food and transportation to families and individuals who have lost their home and have nowhere else to turn for help. The following morning, they will meet with a local homelessness prevention agency, for assistance in finding a place to live and supportive services.
Community Action Committee of the Cape and Islands, Housing Assistance Corporation,
Duffy Health Center, Homeless Prevention Council, Martha’s Vineyard Island Counseling Center and Nantucket Council for Human Services are participating in the hotline’s referral network.
The Cape and Islands Regional Network to End Homelessness is a collaborative effort of state, county and local government, social service providers, housing agencies, faith based organizations, the business community and dedicated individuals working together to prevent homelessness. For a copy of the full press release, go to Hotline 2-16-10.
