Untitled Document

Community Teamwork, Inc.
167 Dutton St.
Lowell, MA 01852
(978) 459-0551

SHIFT Coalition

What is SHIFT?
SHIFT is an acronym for Stabilized Housing for Individuals and Families in Transition. It began in the summer of 2003 when a small group of area providers began to collaborate on ways to address homelessness in Greater Lowell. Out of that small group emerged the SHIFT Coalition, a partnership of over 30 members who are committed to ending homelessness. For more information about ending homelessness, you may read "Strategies for Preventing Homelessness," a report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or download the Executive Summary.

Resources

Homelessness Counts: A Report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

An Article from the San Francisco Chronicle

Boston Globe Editorial

Quincy's 10-year plan to prevent homelessness.

Interagency Council on Homelessness

HUD Report entitled Strategies for Preventing Homelessness

SHIFT One-Year Annual Report

Links and other Resources

Above photos depict Lowell City Manger Bernie Lynch, Lt. Governor Kerry Healey, Regional Director of the US Interagency Council on Homelessness John O'Brien, and the Executive Director of the Mass. Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness, Linda Fosburg joined by Sue Beaton of One Family, Inc. and nearly 40 Lowellians at a recent State Policy Academy Forum on Family Homelessness. At the meeting, the SHIFT Coalition was recognized as a key player in the City's efforts to develop a plan to end homelessness in the City of Lowell.

Case Study: SHIFT CASE #47
Brian is a single man who had stable owrk for over 18 years. After being laid off from his job due to a slow down in the amount of work the company was getting, Brian applied for unemplyment. Once receiving unemployment, Brian's income would be over $1,000 per month. However, while waiting to receive his first unemployment check, Brian fell behind on his weekly rent for his room in a rooming house. (More.....)

What does SHIFT do?
The Coalition is seeing a disturbing trend of individuals and families who are "falling through the cracks." These are the people who may not be eligible for government programs due to lack of income or simply because they do not meet specific eligibility criteria, but are faced with the prospect of losing their housing. Some are being forced to access costly emergency shelter. These are the folks who turn to the SHIFT Coalition for help. The mission of the SHIFT Coalition is to help prevent or end homelessness for individuals and families by stabilizing their housing situation. Please view our Annual Report or our SHIFT Brochure for more information about SHIFT.

The goals and objectives of the Coalition are as follows:

Goal 1: Creating a Community Network
Objective 1: Raise awareness through the website, meetings and list serve
Objective 2: Establish and implement Early-Warning System
Objective 3: Formalize linkages with Coalition partners via Memo’s of Understanding
Objective 4: Create database and collect data on clients to monitor progress
Objective 5:Maintain and increase community involvement on Case Review Committee

Goal 2: Resource Raising
Objective 1: Establish a consistent pool of resources for client use
Objective 2: Raise resources necessary to secure Coalition staffing in year 3 and 4
Goal 3: Community Action
Objective 1: Create awareness among city councilors and managers
Objective 2: Help city develop their 10-year plan to end homelessness
Objective 3: Organize support for Housing First legislation

For more information about the SHIFT Coalition, contact Brent Rourke , SHIFT Coalition Coordinator at (978) 459-0551, Ext. 219. Clients in need of services should contact Peter Clennot , Housing Consumer Education Center at (978) 459-0551, Ext. 290.

Coordinator's Corner
The SHIFT Coalition meets on the last Wednesday of each month.
View the monthly minutes and the Coordinators Report.

SHIFT Meeting Minutes	SHIFT Coordinator's Report
November 2007	November 2007
October 2007	October 2007
September 2007	September 2007
August 2007	August 2007
September & October 2006	September & October 2006
August 2006	August 2006
July 2006	July 2006
June 2006	June 2006
April 2006	April 2006
March 2006
February 2006	February 2006
January 2006	January 2006
November 2005	November 2005
October 2005	October 2005
September 2005	September 2005
August 2005	August 2005
July 2005	July 2005
June 2005	June 2005
May 2005	May 2005
April 2005