GREENFIELD — Even though the temperature feels like summer, discussion continues on helping homeless residents in the dead of winter.
The Human Rights Commission continued its discussion on sheltering homeless residents exposed to dangerously cold temperatures. The commission spoke with MJ Adams, grants administrator for the city, who is part of a task force to address the issue.
The task force was created by Mayor William Martin after the commission made a resolution asking the city to create a citywide freeze plan for homeless residents during the cold months. The resolution was drafted after homeless shelters became packed with residents looking to escape deadly cold temperatures this winter.
Adams, and Fire Chief Robert Strahan were appointed to the task force in April. The commission invited both to the meeting, but only Adams was in attendance.
Adams said resources — specifically, beds — should be made more plentiful in the city. In order to do this, Adams sought the help of two area groups: the Hilltown Community Development Corporation and Servicenet.
The Hilltown CDC has set up a collaborative among Berkshire, Franklin and Hampshire counties, according to Adams, to address homelessness across the Pioneer Valley.
The collaborative provides money for homeless projects, but Adams said Greenfield has no representation there. She said the city should begin their efforts there to help get money for the homeless.
Adams also said the city should be careful when establishing a homeless shelter of its own, since it could create a competitive atmosphere with Servicenet, which operates the main shelter in the city.
According to Adams, a competing shelter could allow some to circumvent preventative programs created by Servicenet, which they could receive if they went to the shelter.
“My concern is trying to do that independent of Servicenet,” Adams said.
Adams suggested the commission discuss the matter with Servicenet. Chairwoman Loreen Flockerzie said the commission has tried to before but no one from the nonprofit came, but that they would try again.
Questions from the commission were unanswered after the meeting with Adams, however, including what the current sheltering plan is in case of emergency and what other buildings could be used in the city.
Adams said she would continue her research and meet with the commission during their next meeting July 9.
You can reach Dan Desrochers at:
ddesrochers@recorder.com
413-772-0261, ext. 257