22.026 An Order to Appropriate $45,000 in Whiting Street Trust FundsCity of Northampton
Massachusetts
_________
In City Council February 3, 2022
Upon recommendation of the Mayor and the Whiting Street Fund Committee
22.026 An Order to Appropriate $45,000 in Whiting Street Trust Funds
Whereas, Mr. Whiting Street, a successful Northampton businessperson, left $25,000 to the City of Northampton in his will of 1875 with instructions that the money be used “for the relief
and comfort of the worthy poor,”
Whereas, the Whiting Street Fund Committee issued its annual grant application seeking proposals from local organizations with the goal of addressing housing insecurity and homelessness;
Whereas, the Whiting Street Fund Committee received and reviewed the applications and has made its recommendations to the Mayor;
Ordered, that
$45,000 be appropriated from the interest in the Whiting Street Trust Fund to the following organizations:
$15,000 to Manna to support the operations of the Community Center. The Community Center provides a place for the unhoused to find shelter out of the weather, to access showers, laundry,
a couch to rest on, clothes in a closet, and electrical outlets to charge devices. The Center provides a welcoming and safe indoor space for people to call their own for a time and
to access harm reduction tools, and connect to housing services within and beyond the Manna walls. The Community Center addresses the gaps in essential human services offered to the
unhoused population, and further strengthens the collective fabric of services which benefit the most vulnerable members of our community. These funds will help Manna to continue the
Community Center operations making a real difference in the lives of the unhoused; and
$30,000 to Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Individuals, Inc. to support the collaboration project to create housing for houseless individuals with disabilities. This group of collaborators
intends to purchase 5 Franklin Street to create housing that provides wrap-around services to support the clients in stabilizing their lives while becoming and remaining housed. Services
will include social caseworkers, regular visits by health personnel, and provision of supplies, food, and furnishings as needed. These funds will be used to increase housing and other
resources within the City to help bring an end to houselessness.