Devastating Fire in Lowell Leaves Scores Homeless – How You Can Help
A fire incident of any magnitude is devastating, but none more so when there is a loss of life. These families have been completely devastated.
The Lowell Sun has the full story here
Here at CTI, we are working closely with the City of Lowell, the Red Cross, The Wish Project and scores of community partners to coordinate this crisis and ensure that these families have the right resources to assist them through this period.
At times when situations are at their worst, our community is at its’ best. Listed below are ways that you may help these families.
We have had several requests from many wonderful people in our community who have clothing, furniture and home goods to donate to assist these families once they have been rehoused. These types of donations should be given to The Wish Project. The hours of operation for The Wish Project are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday’s from 9a-2pm. They are located at 1A Foundry St. Lowell, MA 01852.
Another way to help is to put together an emergency food box. The Wish Project, through the generosity of many caring people in our community will provide emergency food boxes for fire victims placed in motel/hotel. For a list of what these boxes should contain is here.
Additionally, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union has set up a fund to be able to provide assistance to the families so tragically effected by this fire. Cash donations will be accepted at all Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union branches. More information and branch locations may be found here
Lowell Transitional Living Center Seeking New Director
For more info and how to apply, click here
SMOC is seeking a Director for the Lowell Transitional Living Center. This person will manage the overall system of emergency housing and effective case management, supportive services, data collection and entry designed to maximize housing flow into affordable housing for homeless men and women in the assigned region. Oversee the management of an interdisciplinary housing stabilization team with a focus on ensuring successful client placements into housing and the coordination of appropriate supportive services including a menu of on-site activities and workshops.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Continue reading
MBHP Seeking Assistant Director of Housing Supports
Assistant Director of Housing Supports (Programs)
ORGANIZATION
MBHP is a non-profit agency and is the largest regional provider of rental assistance in Massachusetts. We serve approximately 8,800 tenants and 4,000 property owners with rental assistance in 29 communities and the city of Boston.
MBHP’s mission is to ensure that the region’s low- and moderate-income individuals and families have choice and mobility in finding and retaining decent affordable housing; all of our programs and initiatives are designed to encourage housing stability, increased economic self-sufficiency, and the enhanced quality of the lives of those we serve. To achieve our mission and to promote efficient service delivery, we work collaboratively with a broad array of service providers and neighborhood-based organizations.
OVERVIEW
The Assistant Director of Housing Supports will assist in the oversight of all MBHP Housing Supports Activities with a focus on the HomeBASE, HCEC, and RAFT programs. As such, the Assistant Director will be knowledgeable of all of the departments’ program rules, regulations and requirements as stipulated through various funding sources. This will include, but not be limited to, pertinent program regulations and requirements of the Department of Housing and Community Development, HUD, The City of Boston Department of Neighborhood Development (DND) and other federal, state, and private funders. S/he will also accept primary responsibility for the advancement of internal/interdepartmental communication systems and opportunities. S/he will also oversee, and ensure implementation of the department’s staff training. S/he will share supervision of the program managers with the Director of Housing Supports, dependent on programs and program needs. Finally, the Assistant Director will work closely with the Director of Housing Supports to assess and develop new and innovative opportunities for the clients of the various Housing Support teams. Continue reading
Free SMART Home Ownership Workshop Series
CTI Seeking Housing Consumer Education Counselor Team Member
To apply online, click here
To view all openings currently available at CTI, click here
Here is the link to the full job description
HUD Contingency – How Federal Government Shut Down Effects Your Community
In light of the Federal Government’s shut down, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued its’ contingency plan and may be viewed here.
Many providers within the Merrimack Valley Regional Network to End Homelessness, including Community receive a fair portion of their funding through HUD.
October HUD payments have in many cases already been drawn down. However, if this government shut down continues into November, there will be major challenges ahead.
CTI’s Housing Education Center Seeking Two New Team Members
If you are seeking a busy work environment, have experience helping people problem solve around housing challenges this opportunity is for you!
We are seeking two Housing Consumer Education Counselors with one counselor sited in our North Shore housing education center. Below is the job description. To apply, click here
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
¨ Provides assistance to clients seeking Housing Consumer Education Center services and makes referrals to other resources when appropriate.
¨ Assesses client needs through intake, which include services requested by the client, the services provided to the client, and other needs that the counselor and client determine. Continue reading
MA Unclaimed Property – Have You Checked Lately?
I had posted on this topic a couple of weeks back and have since created a flyer that we have available here in the Resource Center and is available on the right side of the blog for download under “Housing Education Flyers”. We wanted to share with you a recent success story for one of clients who we suggested he put his name into the search engine and lo and behold his name came up twice, for two different pieces of property.
For both listings, it was indicated that the property was valued over $100. Our client went through the process of submitting his claim and received confirmation this week that one of his properties was a paycheck from a former employer in the amount of $936!
So please do see if you have unclaimed funds. It’s free to search and free to file the claim!
Are you a hoarder? Know some who is?
Hoarding Resources
Compulsive hoarding is defined as the acquisition of and failure to discard a large number of possessions that appear to be useless or of limited value. Homes become so cluttered that tenant’s can- not live in them safely. Exits become blocked, kitchens and bathrooms become difficult to move around in and clutter becomes a fire hazard. Hoarding behavior can result in a tenancy termination.
Here are a few resources if you, a family member or friend is experiencing this challenge
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North Shore Elder Services |
978-750-1050 |
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Merrimack Valley Elder Services |
800-892-0890 |
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Sort it Out (Natick) |
508-655-3949 |
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National Organization of Chronic Disorganization |
617-328-8558 |
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Organizing Specialists |
978-828-1683 |
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Clutter Workshop |
860-232-3838 |
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Home VNA |
781-238-0209 |
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Massachusetts Home Care |
1-800-AGE-INFO |
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Action Emergency Homeless Shelter (Gloucester) |
978-282-1000 |
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Eric Z Disposal |
866-552-8400 |
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We Get Rid of It |
781-593-5308 |
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House Works |
800-928-3393 |
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Big Brother Big Sister Foundation (free pick up) |
800-483-5503 |
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Salvation Army |
800-95-TRUCK |
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Got Books |
978-664-6555 |
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Junk Out |
888-JUNK-OUT |
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The Wish Project (Greater Lowell) no home pick up |
978-454-WISH |
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Home Goods Recycling Ministries (Acton) |
978-635-1710 |
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St. Vincent DePaul (free pick up) |
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Boomerangs/Aids Action Committee (free pick up) |
617-309-7220 |
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Savers Thrift Stores |
Merrimack Valley Regional Network to End Homelessness Blog 