CHNA9 participated in the project design of the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project, a $2.5M federal grant awarded to the Central MA Housing Alliance for implementation in all of Worcester County. We served as a voice for the North Central region and other rural areas where services related to housing and homelessness, especially for youth, are especially difficult to access. CHNA9 also participated in the selection committee for project implementation grantees.
CHNA9 regularly participates in a regional homelessness response working group, which focuses on resource connections and emergent needs in the community.
CHNA9 has been working with partners to support the new arrivals at sites in Gardner and Westminster and will continue to partner with local organizations to respond to new arrival support needs across the region.
This year, CHNA9 has worked with local Housing Authorities and a UMass MPH student team on opportunities to implement Family Self-Sufficiency programs that mitigate the "cliff effect," which traps people in low-wage jobs for fear of losing eligibility for needed housing, health, and food benefits.