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Regional Network on Homelessness – August 2017 Updates

Paula Schnepp, coordinator of the Cape and Islands Regional Network on Homelessness, compiled the news and upcoming events presented below for all those interested in homelessness in the Cape and Islands Continuum of Care (CoC) region.

U.S. Housing and Urban Development’s Notice of Funding Availability (HUD NOFA) was released July 14, 2017.  Applications are due to HUD no later than Thursday, September 28, 2017.  The final ranking of new and renewal proposals will be presented to the Regional Network’s Policy Board at the September 25, 2017 meeting for approval.  The region is eligible to apply for up to $1.7 million in renewal and bonus funding for homeless programs.

Expansion of Housing Court was approved for the FY2018 Commonwealth of Massachusett’s Budget. On Thursday, September 21, 2017, at 8:30 AM, the Cape and Islands Regional Network on Homelessness and the Mass Legal Reform Institute will co-host a breakfast meeting with Chief Justice Sullivan to discuss next steps for implementation.  More information will be distributed soon.

Elder Homeless Summit’s half day event will include an address by Secretary of Massachusetts Office of Elder Affairs, Alice Bonner, a presentation of homeless statistics, panel discussion, and mini World Café on Monday, October 23, 2017, from 8:30 AM- 1:00 PM (Lunch provided).  Registration for this free event is going fast.  More information…

Proposed two part training “Steps to Housing” covering several housing-related topics (application process for Public and Affordable Housing, CORI mitigation, working with landlords, etc.) will be coming in October.  If you or someone on your staff are interested in attending, please email Paula Schnepp at pkschnepp@gmail.com and type “Interested in Housing Training”.


CI Regional Network on Homlessness ImageBarnstable County Department of Human Services convenes the Cape and Islands Regional Network on Homelessness – a collaborative effort of state, county and local government, social service providers, housing agencies, faith-based organizations, the business community and individuals working together to prevent and end homelessness.

CoCBarnstable County Department of Human Services is also the collaborative applicant for the Continuum of Care Grant Program which provides homeless assistance funding administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.  As the primary federal resource to end homelessness, the Continuum of Care (CoC) grant program competitively funds CoCs to impact homelessness at the local level.