CCB MEDIA PHOTO
NOAH Shelter in Hyannis
HYANNIS – Monday is the last day that the NOAH Homeless Shelter in Hyannis will be managed by Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC).
After 32 years, the property on Winter Street will be leased to Catholic Social Services (CSS) on Tuesday and will be renamed St. Joseph’s House.
All staff currently at the shelter have been offered positions and the new site will be temporarily managed by the Sister Rose Network.
“I think it’s good, obviously everybody’s worried when there’s a change like this but I think clients, some are comforted now and there will some relatively significant changes over there, but by and large, I think things will be good, maybe better,” said HAC CEO Rick Presbrey.
HAC has a contract through the state to run the shelter through June 2017 and the non-profit will transfer most of the funds received from the state to CCS.
A number of changes will be made to the shelter, including the fact that it will no longer be “dry”, allowing guests to stay without being tested for drugs and alcohol.
That change has been controversial in the community.
“Certainly everybody’s safety is always the prime consideration but Catholic Social Services didn’t want a blanket exception to keeping people out,” said Fall River Diocese Director of Communications John Kearns.
The day program at the shelter will also be moved to another location.
CCS operates homeless shelters in Taunton and New Bedford, runs a food pantry and provides counseling and services to families in need.
CCS also operates St. Clare’s, a Hyannis home which provides services and transitional housing for women coming out of prison.
By JUSTIN SAUNDERS, CapeCod.com Newscenter
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