Veterans Affairs Released Information on VASH Program
The Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services and Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) released a brochure for the new Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program. This is a new program across the country with three sites in Massachusetts. The brochure describes the program, eligibility requirements and enrollment process.
Click here to view the document.
For more information, contact Jack Reynolds at Jack.Reynolds@state.ma.us.
2007 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR)
The 2007 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) was developed by a team of researchers from Abt Associates Inc. and the University of Pennsylvania Center for Mental Health Services and Research. The team was led by Principal Investigators Dr. Jill Khadduri (Abt) and MHSA Board Member Dr. Dennis Culhane (University of Pennsylvania).
This is the third report in a series on homelessness in the United States and the first to be based on a full year of Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) data reported by communities across the country. This 2007 report will provide a baseline for measuring changes in homelessness from one year to the next.
Click here to read the full report.
Young Adult Resource Guide 2008
MHSA releases youth guide for community use
Tufts University graduate student Emily Cohen, under the guidance of Joe Finn and Associate Policy Director Ezra Sykes, spent her internship at MHSA compiling a resource guide for young adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The guide covers topics ranging from education and job training to health care and housing, among many others. We hope it will serve as a helpful manual for young adults and those who work with them. Additions or corrections to the guide may be sent to info@mhsa.net.
Click here for the MHSA Young Adult Resource Guide.
Implications of Massachusetts Health Care Reform for Homeless Persons
Resource materials from March 12, 2007 forum held at St. Paul's Cathedral, 138 Tremont Street
MHSA hosted a forum for member agencies, and in particular employees who work with homeless persons on health care applications, on the recent health care reform in Massachusetts and its impact on homeless persons. Neil Cronin and Vicky Pulos from Massachusetts Law Reform gave an overview of the reform, including an outline of Commonwealth Care. Amy Pett, Coordinator of Enrollment Assistance from Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, discussed specific issues of health care reform related to homeless people and participants were able to discuss barriers they confront in the process of helping people apply for and enroll in MassHealth, Commonwealth Care or Free Care.
For more information, visit www.mass.gov/connector.
Click here for resource materials from the forum.
Research, Data, & Reports
Andrea Miller of MHSA member agency ServiceNet, Inc. has graciously shared the 3-County Continuum of Care HMIS Report for Homeless Individuals, January - December 2005. The report was prepared for the 3-County Continuum of Care of Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties and submitted to the Office of Planning and Development, Northampton, MA in October 2006. It contains valuable information on homeless service usage patterns among 30 housing and shelter programs in the region. Click here for the full report.
Links
National
Corporation for Supportive Housing
National Alliance to End Homelessness
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth
National Center for Homeless Education
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
National Coalition for the Homeless
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
National Healthcare for the Homeless
National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty
National Low Income Housing Coalition
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
State
Detailed information about assistance available to those in need living in Massachusetts
Information on Housing Assistance in Massachusetts
List of Emergency Shelters
Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP)
Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless
Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development
Massachusetts Veterans Inc.
Local
Cambridge Multi-Service Center
City of Boston Emergency Shelter Commission
City of Boston Rental Housing Resource Center
Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership
One Family, Inc.
United Way of Massachusetts Bay
