Restoration recovery center choices - restoration recovery center (RRC) is seeking to assist individuals experiencing homelessness in the city of fitchburg, MA who do not qualify for housing under the…

Restoration recovery center choices - restoration recovery center (RRC) is seeking to assist individuals experiencing homelessness in the city of fitchburg, MA who do not qualify for housing under the guidelines of the central massachusetts housing alliance (cmha) continuum of care (COC). Cmha COC is the primary housing authority assisting individuals experiencing homelessness in worcester county, MA in which the city of fitchburg is located. Under the COC requirements for housing support there are four qualifications that must be met: 1) the individual is currently "street homeless"; 2) has been homeless for the past 12 months or has been homeless for 12 months or more in the past 36 months; 3) has a mental or physical disability; and 4) is on SSI or ssdi. RRC will use grant funds to assist individuals experiencing homelessness with services who would otherwise not qualify for COC assistance. RRC has an established relationship with the cmha and has identified an additional unsheltered homeless population that could benefit from housing supports and services. Specifically, the plan is to: 1) utilize outreach specialists to engage individuals not currently accessing existing homeless services in the community; 2) screen and assess at-risk individuals for housing needs, substance abuse, and immediate obstacles to recovery through intensive case management; 2) increase access to housing for individuals who do not qualify for COC assistance; and 3) connect individuals to intensive case management and referrals to peer support and recovery coaches to address substance use. Restoration recovery center will serve the homeless population of fitchburg, MA, and the county of worcester. Fitchburg has an estimated population of 41,732 persons. Fitchburg residents are 73.3% white, 6.5% black or african american, and 30.0% hispanic/latino; the remaining race groups (e.g., american indian/alaska native, asian, native hawaiian or other pacific islander, or two or more races) represent approximately 13.5% of the population. Fitchburg's median household income (in 2021 dollars) is $60,466, $8,555 lower than the national average; 14.6% of the population lives in poverty. Worcester county, MA median household income (in 2021 dollars) is $56,746, $12,275 lower than the national average; 19.3% of the county population lives in poverty. Unsheltered homelessness continues to rise in many areas of the country, including fitchburg. Primary concerns facing individuals experiencing homelessness are a lack of stable housing, access to basic needs, mental and physical health issues, and discrimination. A recent analysis of homelessness data shows that people experiencing unsheltered homelessness report significantly greater health challenges and experiences of trauma and violence than their sheltered peers. For those unable to qualify for COC assistance, these concerns are unaddressed and the likelihood that they will be able to get out of their situation alone is extremely low. Restoration recovery will fill this GAP and assist those that are unable to access these services and break the cycle. To help address these concerns, RRC hopes to engage the target population through the use of this grant to achieve the following goals: 1) increase access for unsheltered homeless to stable and affordable housing; 2) increase access to and provide diverse services for unsheltered homeless adults that support their housing, recovery, and personal growth goals; and 3) improve economic and health security for individuals experiencing homelessness.