Bay Cove Awarded $820k from Healey-Driscoll Administration to Expand Individual Homelessness Winter Capacity
Boston — In anticipation of increased wintertime shelter needs for individuals experiencing homelessness, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities has awarded $9.9 million in supplemental grants for shelter providers, municipalities, and community-based organizations to open or expand seasonal shelter bed capacity.
Bay Cove will receive $819,588 for 50 winter beds at our Weymouth Women’s Shelter.
Annually, EOHLC supports 2,514 year-round beds and 363 winter beds for individuals experiencing homelessness. The funding announced today will support 595 additional winter beds and will expand daytime warming centers to prevent unsheltered homelessness during the cold winter months. Shelters are run by nonprofit organizations that receive funding from the state.
“Our nonprofit community partners provide a lifeline to individuals who are struggling with the very basic need of a safe place to lay their head at night,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “In addition, these organizations are well-equipped to connect individuals with other important services ranging from behavioral health to the search for permanent housing, which helps lift people out of homelessness.”
Applicants for the grants were required to demonstrate how the proposed projects would support HLC’s overall vision of making homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring. Applicants were also encouraged to think strategically about how the funding may be leveraged and paired with other funding sources to deliver care.
Priority was given to applicants serving regions with the highest need for shelter beds. Programs must serve individuals or families without children. These grants are separate from funding available to the state’s Emergency Assistance Family Shelter system.
“This award increases our capacity to provide safe and warm shelter for women this winter. We greatly value our partnership with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and appreciate its support in meeting the needs of this vulnerable population,” said Sarah Coombs, Vice President of Addiction Services, Bay Cove Human Services.
