Barnstable Meeting To Discuss Homelessness Assistance Funding

BARNSTABLE, MA — The Barnstable County Home Consortium received $1.5 million to address homelessness on Cape Cod in 2021. Now, they're ready to hear what the public thinks of their plan.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded more than $1.5 million from the federal HOME-ARP Program to Barnstable County for activities including housing, services, and shelter for a number of at-risk groups.

Since, the county has been developing a plan to help those qualifying groups (included below). They'll share that plan, and seek public comment, at a series of meetings across Cape Cod beginning on Tuesday.

HUD has requirements that all groups distributing funds must meet, which include developing an allocation plan for the money that most be approved by the agency.

"The main purpose of the Allocation Plan is to engage in significant community and stakeholder outreach to gather data and prepare a needs assessment and gap analysis," Barnstable County officials said.

"This gap analysis will guide the BCHC’s implementation of the HOME-ARP Program and selection of activities for HOME-ARP funding."

In June, the county selected Barrett Planning Group LLC to assist with developing the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan. The consultants were chosen through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process.

Consultants from Barett will also be present at the public meetings, which are listed below:

Meetings

• Sept. 27, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Snow Library, Orleans
• Sept. 28, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Falmouth Town Hall, Falmouth
• Sept. 29, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Hyannis Youth and Community Center, Barnstable and Provincetown Public Library, Provincetown
• Oct. 3, 12 to 1 p.m., Virtual

Qualifying Groups

According to the county, these groups qualify for assistance:

• Homeless, as defined in section 103(a) of the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act
• At risk of homelessness, as defined by section 401 of McKinney Vento
• Fleeing or attempting to escape domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking
• Supported through services or assistance that otherwise prevent homelessness or risk of housing instability
• Veterans and families that include a veteran family member that meets the criteria for one of the qualifying populations described above.