Next Step: How to help our neighbors

We are nearing the halfway mark toward our goal of housing 150 of our neighbors this winter and spring through Next Step, a collaborative pilot project in our community.

As of March 15, 73 people have been housed. That is real progress! We hope to reach our goal by the time the emergency cold weather shelters close. (The date for that just moved a month, to the end of May, because of all the snow this winter.)

We are connecting with people in emergency cold weather shelters — individuals, couples and families — to match them with housing that is right for them. We’re working with real estate experts and reaching out to private landlords to bring apartment units into the program. Some owners of Airbnbs are signing on for the stability of year-long leases and other incentives. Everyone who is part of Next Step also receives case management to connect to services and resources tailored for them.

Welcome kits help neighbors settle into apartments. We make sure they have all the essentials, from a coffee pot to a shower curtain to a bed. Kits are individualized to each person’s needs. Check out our Amazon wish list of items, Special thanks to community members who already have sent us items!

Dig in deeper here.