SOLUTIONS

THE EPIPHANY

TRIAGE PILOT

Rick conducted a Triage Pilot — he took the calls of 40 people who were seeking access to the shelter. They were calling from multiple towns on the Cape. He conducted a relatively simple interview. As a result of these informal interviews, he diverted 39 of the 40 from the shelter; they no longer needed to come to Hyannis — he found town-based, home community solutions. These Neighbors In Need did not have to leave everything and everyone behind and come to a crowded shelter where there were many others in need.

OPERATION IN FROM THE STREET

He also coordinated “Operation: In From the Street.” With one other staff member, they worked with 25 of the most challenging Neighbors In Need — those who were literally outside, perhaps in camps, because their behaviors caused them to be banned from the shelter. The two staff placed these Neighbors In Need directly into a private motel room, and then provided services. At the end of three months, remarkably 18 of the 25 Neighbors In Need were in programs or housing.

These initiatives indicated to Rick that a town-based, home community, housing-first, customized intervention for a Neighbor In Need was much more effective than the institutional approach. The Epiphany: Caring for the Individual can eliminate the need for the Institution.

HOMELESS INTERVENTION IN HYANNIS FOR BARNSTABLE ONLY

In Portland, ME, they have a town-based shelter. Only people from Portland stay at that shelter. They have a separate location to interview the Neighbors In Need to be sure they are a Portland resident and appropriate for the shelter. NANN believes that funds for the work of the police, security officers in the schools, fire and rescue — all in response to having an international shelter serving people from many places — should be redirected to create a town-based response for residents of Hyannis and Barnstable.

460 BECOMES PERMANENT HOUSING

There is a housing program in Hyannis that has had great success in providing affordable, community-based housing for Neighbors In Need, with no pushback from the community. They are good neighbors. They looked into purchasing 460 West Main Street. Could this purchase be facilitated? Because of the questionable procedures regarding the $3 million of County money (notonenewbed.mystrikingly.com), could the property be donated to this other non-profit? This would provide permanent, transitional housing for many in our community.

ALL NEEDS MET

All Needs Met is a ministry that Rick Brigham created. It offers training in how to “Triage” a Neighbor In Need. The link below is the interview he used when he conducted the Triage Pilot in which 39 of 40 Neighbors In Need found solutions in their home community using their own resources. This is a way that churches could fulfill the mission of caring for people in need in a direct, personal, and customized way.

Triage Training — All Needs Met Interview (PDF)

MODELS OF SUCCESS

The members of NANN have been researching options. Finland and Norway are good examples of effective homelessness response for Barnstable to pursue.

SUBSTANCE ADDICTION

Currently, a person struggling with alcoholism can come onto the shelter foyer, sober up, then go in for a meal and a bed. The next day they must leave at 7 am — to likely repeat this enabling cycle. High Point is locating a recovery program in Independence Park, paying no taxes to the Town. Could the Town ask that this agency prioritize access for those from Hyannis who have no home and are struggling with substance abuse issues?

ELDER HOUSE

Currently, elders without a home are placed into the institution alongside drug addicts, those with mental illness, and unruly youth. Elder Services is an agency intended to help the homeless. When an elder is placed into the shelter, what is the response of Elder Services? Could they do more? What is their budget? Could it be adjusted, in cooperation with each town, to provide an elder house? Could there be a dedicated house for elders from Barnstable?

WORKERS HOUSE

Currently, employed individuals pay nothing while staying in the shelter. How long do they stay? Could there be an affordable Workers House for those who are working but not yet housed?

OPEN THE DOOR TO BETTER OPTIONS

Opening discussions to more effective solutions will alter the fabric of caring for Barnstable and Hyannis’ neighbors in need.