PACT members seek new methods to combat homelessness

LYNN – Members of Lynn PACT, People Acting as a Collaborative, met Tuesday to analyze ways to end the cyclical nature of homelessness.Dwindling funding for homeless services has posed a problem, according to local agencies such as the Lynn City Mission and Catholic Charities, which reported a decrease in the number of people it was able to assist during the last six months.But despite financial setbacks across the board, Lynn Shelter Association Executive Director Marjorie St. Paul said 147 homeless people out of a total of 384 staying at the shelter were placed into housing last year.”It’s a phenomenal statistic, but that doesn’t mean that the shelters are any less empty,” she said. “That needs to be shouted out because rental properties in Lynn are at the same level as Boston and our people generally make less money here.”St. Paul said the number of homeless living in the city has steadily increased over the years, mainly because the shelter has worked with the homeless to identify new locations to search and identify them.The shelter’s annual homeless census taken on Jan. 30 revealed 42 people living on the streets including one family, up from a total of 28 in 2007 and three in 2006.A number of teens are also included in that mix, which St. Paul said are often difficult to track down because they may be bouncing between different friends’ houses.To combat the growing problem, Lisa Newhall of Lynn Housing and Neighborhood Development (LHAND) said a supportive program is in the works to address teen homelessness that should be up and running by March.”The program aims at putting teens in apartments where they would pay a portion of the rent,” she said. “Then we would work with the school department and catholic charities to do case management with the teens to make sure that they have jobs and to help with the college application process.”Newhall said there are currently five teens in mind for the new program where each teen, roughly 16-18 years old would live individually in an apartment within the city.Once the teens enter college, Newhall said the program would continue to service them and make sure they are receiving the help that they need.State Rep. Steven Walsh remained optimistic about state funding for homeless services, and stressed the need for people to take advantage of food stamps.”Immigrants don’t understand that they are eligible for them, so we need to get the word out,” he said.Two new food stamp service centers recently opened in the city at the Greater Lynn Senior Center at 8 Silsbee St., and at the Lynn Community Health Center at 269 Union St.Visitors to the support centers will be able to meet one-on-one with experienced workers to learn more about key programs and apply for benefits, including food stamps, transitional aid to families with dependent children, emergency aid to the elderly, disabled and children, emergency assistance, and employment services.Robin Frost, executive director of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, said a forum is scheduled for Feb. 26 at the State House to set the pace for upcoming financial assistance for homeless programs.”It’s an opportunity for people to come and ask questions and I highly recommend it,” she said.