HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION  

Focus population: Families renting apartments and houses.

Vehicle: Hope for Housing

Community Partner: Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance (CMHA)

Activity: Supermarket gift card sales/rebate program in congregations to support emergency assistance program of CMHA.

PERMANENT HOUSING

Focus population: Low income families, including those leaving shelters.

Vehicle: Worcester Community Loan Fund

Community Partner: Worcester Community Housing Resources (WCHR)

Activity: Secure investments from endowed congregations and individual members to use for pre-development costs for multi- family housing.

EARLY WARNING SYSTEM

Focus: Families accessing pastoral emergency funds and congregation-based food pantries and health clinics.

Vehicle: Create faith-based system to identify and help families at risk of becoming homeless. Education and training for clergy and laity with web support.

PUBLIC ADVOCACY

Focus: Elected and appointed Worcester officials; state legislators; Leadership Council; media outlets (Worcester Telegram editorial board); website development, including Greater Worcester Housing Report Card.

Vehicles: Expand religious participation in advocacy networks including CMHA (homelessness prevention) and CHAPA (permanent housing).