AMHERST — They are visible throughout the day on downtown sidewalks, with many sitting on public benches or standing against walls holding signs stating they are homeless and in need of assistance.
How the town and region respond to their needs would be determined at a community forum on homelessness, put on jointly by the town’s Housing and Sheltering Committee and the town manager’s office, that will be held at the Town Room at Town Hall July 14 from 6:45 to 9 p.m.
“I think it’s a very important forum to help set the direction for the town,” said Peter Hechenbleikner, interim town manager.
This spring and summer, Amherst has been facing an apparent surge in the homeless population, with many loitering on the streets and seeking places to stay at night. The issues developed shortly after the 22-bed Craig’s Place season homeless shelter closed on May 1.
Homelessness doesn’t stop when the shelter closes for the season, Hecehnbleikner said, and the town needs “to be able to develop mechanisms to coordinate among all the groups and agencies addressing portions of the issue.”
John Hornik, co-chairman of the Housing and Sheltering Committee, said that he hopes the forum will draw 40 to 50 people from agencies and town government, and possibly homeless individuals, to address what is a significant concern.
In a memo to the community, Hornik wrote: “Our goals are to develop a broadly shared understanding of the scope of homelessness in our community right now and then develop a sound and coordinated strategy on how to address current issues. Part of this discussion includes how Amherst fits into the region and neighboring communities to better understand context and available resources and opportunities.”
Amherst Business Improvement District Executive Director Sarah la Cour said she is excited that such an initiative is planned. “This is giving everyone a chance to talk about what is happening,” la Cour said.
La Cour said while businesses have been impacted by homeless on the streets this summer, the concern has been reduced by a police officer assigned to speak to homeless and direct them to resources.
“The police have been great,” la Cour said. “They’ve had a much bigger presence in the last month or two, and that’s helped some of the panhandling on the street.”
But la Cour said some issues remain, such as homeless people who slieep outdoors at places like West Cemetery and the grounds of the Jones Library and Amherst History Museum.
Jerry Guidera, interim executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, said holding a forum is the right move as the chamber and its member businesses want to play an active role.
“The effects of homeless and street people on downtown businesses needs to be taken into account,” Guidera said.
Part of the police approach has been to meet with business owners to listen to their worries, but also to speak to them about how to minimize problems.
For example, police last Friday warned the owner of Russell’s Liquors, 18 Main St., that it was illegal to sell alcohol to anyone who appeared intoxicated.
Police have also spoken to representatives of the First Congregational Church, 165 Main St., which houses the Not Bread Alone soup kitchen on weekends and Wednesday evenings, and keeps its doors open as a refuge from bad weather.
The Rev. Vicki Kemper said the church has a written policy that guests must vacate the building and property by 8 p.m. Otherwise, though, the church has no issues with them being inside.
“We view them as guests and people of sacred worth and want to be welcome to them,” she said.
But recently the church had to put up a sign and yellow caution tape at the entrance to its memorial garden, where some homeless had gathered and talked loudly and obscenely, disturbing families who live in the nearby Jessie’s House.
Survival Center Executive Director Mind Domb said she expects to be at the forum, providing information about the services provided at the 138 Sunderland Road site, and how these benefit homeless people, such as being a place to hold mail.
Hwei-Ling Greeney, who runs Amherst Community Connections that serves people seeking jobs and housing, said in an email that the town needs to focus on the foundation of communities, including livability, sustainability, diversity and prosperity.
“To find solutions, the voices of the people who are homeless have to be part of the discussion,” Greeney said. “One of their messages is loud and clear: there isn’t enough housing that is accessible to them.”
The forum, Greeney said, should be an opportunity for homeless to be heard.
“When there is mutual respect and recognition of everyone’s part in creating the place we live, we have the best chance of sustaining a high quality of life,” Greeney said.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
