Several weeks ago, my daughter Yael called me in a distressed tone. Her place of employment, Project PLASE, that serves homeless people, failed to find a home for a mother and her pregnant daughter.
Project PLASE provides housing and services for homeless citizens of Baltimore. I am so proud that my daughter is working on behalf of people in such grave need. I see a dire situation happening here in Amherst as well.
In Massachusetts we are the only state with a so-called “right-to-shelter” law, meaning that state and local officials must provide shelter to people experiencing homelessness who are requesting services. In Amherst, we are seeing increasing number of unsheltered homeless people.
Many people are one paycheck away from losing everything. Potentially, 47 percent of homeless women have a major untreated depressive disorder which makes group living in shelters challenging (Buckner, Beardsley, Bassuk, 2004).
Although there are services available, some individuals do not have the ability or skills to fill out the complicated forms required to maintain subsidized housing. That can lead to the unsheltered population that is extremely at risk in our community.
Craig’s Place is a winter shelter here in Amherst led by Executive Director Rebeka Wilder. She says that wintertime is particularly rough for those living on the street. However, Craig’s Place closed at the end of April for the warmer months. What these people need is permanent year-round housing.
I met a woman who heads the homeless program in Cape Cod. She said that once a person is given a home, their entire lifestyle changes positively and they continue to improve.
A partial solution to this extreme problem in Amherst has been proposed to provide housing for a chosen number of individuals at 132 Northampton Road at single-room occupancy (SRO). Neighbors have expressed concern about the proposed number of 28 low-income individuals who would reside there.
John Hornick, chairman of the Amherst Municipal Affordable Housing Trust, said that there is an “overblown fear” of the SRO building. I agree. Fear of people in need is another form of prejudice and hatred, two issues that have expanded since the 2016 election. We need as a people to move toward inclusion and understanding.
In anticipation of problems, Amherst College Dean Gendron stated that access to Pratt Field may be shut off by the college if any difficulties develop. Why are we so worried about a small homeless population, but ignore the behavior of students and other neighbors?
Both communities can bring challenges and rewards to Amherst. I hope that Amherst College students will be able to use the opportunity to discuss homelessness and improve methods by sharing their space with people in need.
I encourage the neighbors and community to think of the best ways to welcome these carefully selected people to their new home.
Deena Rubin is an educator in Amherst.