CPA Eligibility Form - Housing Disabled Homeless.pdfCOMMUNITY PRESERVATION ELIGIBILITY
DETERMINATION FORM
The purpose of this form is to make sure that all project applications applying for Community
Preservation Act funding are eligible for funding. Please refer to Appendix-E in the
Community Preservation Plan when filling out this form. This form must be approved in
order for an application to be accepted.
Project Title: Housing the Disabled Homeless of Northampton & The Pioneer Valley
Project Sponsor/Organization:
Independent Housing Solutions Incorporated
Contact Name: Jessica Bossie, MD
Property Owner, if applicable: In transition
Mailing Address: 1268 Burts Pit Rd. Florence, MA 01062
Daytime phone #: 503-347-2486 Fax #: 413-585-1321
E-mail address: jbossie@springfieldhshhc.org
CPA Program Area (check those that apply):
Open Space Historic Preservation
X Community Housing Recreation
Project Purpose (check those that apply):
X Acquisition Creation Preservation
Support X Rehabilitation/Restoration
Project Summary: Please provide a brief description of the project.
Despite being homeless for over a decade or more, multiple persons in Northampton and
the Pioneer Valley have been unable to find permanent housing due to mechanical
disabilities. There is an absolute paucity of ADA housing units that accept subsidies (aka
housing vouchers) in this region. The upcoming sale of the 5 Franklin Street Building (a
former nursing home) can change that.
Independent Housing Inc. is requesting funding for partial assistance with the acquisition
of the 5 Franklin Street property and full assistance with updates that will restore the
building’s historic purpose: providing a home for people who need assistance. With the
current design (mock-up attached) the building would house 16 medically complex
houseless individuals. Contemporary equipment would be installed to help occupants
meet their specialized needs.
All occupants will be selected via the Coordinated Entry System for the region and all
occupants will meet all, or most, of the following criteria:
- Are chronically homeless
- Utilize emergency and hospital services frequently
- Have mechanical disabilities or extremely complex medical needs
- Are extremely vulnerable in the community
- Are at high risk of death due to inappropriate housing
- Are mechanically disabled
Unlike a 24-hour nursing facility, this building would provide ultra-supported, but
independent, permanent housing. Occupants enjoy the basic freedoms that many non-
disabled people take for granted:
- Privacy
- The ability to eat what they want and when they want
- Coming and going when they please
- Control over their daily routines
- Autonomy to make an infinite number of choices where the outcome is in line
with the persons wishes (as long as the result is not destructive to the building,
other occupants of the building, and the community)
Similar to a 24-hour nursing facility, each occupant will receive services from the list
below, depending on their individualized needs:
- Visiting nursing services (via MassHealth and/or Medicare)
- Personal care assistant services (via MassHealth and/or Medicare)
- Hot & prepared meal delivery (via Manna Community Kitchen)
- Grocery delivery/pick-up (via Northampton Survival Center)
- Weekly on-site Medical Visits (via Health Services for the Homeless / Dr. Bossie)
- Case management support (Under negotiation)
- Money Management Services (Independent Living Solutions)
The model of care listed above was implemented in Florence from 2017 to 2021, with
excellent results. This project seeks to amplify and expand this initial successful
program.
Independent Housing Solutions will assist in the housing process for qualifying
candidates, building maintenance, cleaning of common spaces, coordination of services
for occupants (listed above), and ensure timely rental payments for all occupants housed
in the building.
For CPC Use Eligible: _____ Not Eligible: _____ Date: __________ Reviewer: ____________________