GREENFIELD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The formation of an ad hoc committee for the Greenfield unhoused community has been approved by City Council.
Council President Lora Wondolowski did confirm with Director of Community and Economic Development Amy Cahillane who works in depth on this issue, that the ad hoc committee will not be redundant or duplicative in their work as they’re bringing new voices to the table in the community such as unhoused community, city officials, and community stakeholders.
Members of the unhoused community came to the Community Relations Committee meeting, which the ad hoc committee would operate within, on Monday evening to share some of their thoughts on the topic.
One individual shared thoughts about the use of abandoned buildings for the unhoused so they may better utilize resources like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, and fix up the buildings themselves.
Another idea was raised by an individual experiencing homelessness and brought up again by Councilor William Perry at Wednesday’s City Council meeting to expand the use of the warming shelter to cover other harsh conditions for those without shelter such as rainy nights.