Fall River Diocese in Talks to Take Over NOAH Shelter in Hyannis

CCB MEDIA PHOTO
NOAH Shelter in Hyannis

HYANNIS – The NOAH shelter in Hyannis may soon be under new management.

Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Fall River is in talks with Housing Assistance Corporation to take over the responsibilities of running the homeless shelter.

HAC CEO Rick Presbrey says the organization’s strength is more in the field of affordable housing.

“We found somebody that can run the facility really well that we can feel comfortable about and then we can really devote more thought, energy and resources to the shortage of rental housing on Cape Cod,” Presbrey said.

Catholic Social Services already runs three shelters in southeastern Massachusetts.

“For us it made much sense,” said John Kearns, a Fall River Diocese spokesman. “Catholic Social Services spends a lot of resources trying to serve the homeless population.”

Catholic Social Services has a presence on Cape Cod. The organization has long had an office on South Street in Hyannis and also operates St. Clare’s, which provides services and transitional housing for women coming out of prison.

The board of directors for HAC will meet on October 5 to approve the agreement.

“The bishop is on board,” said Kearns, who adds that the board for CSS has been briefed as well. “So really from this end it’s a go.”

HAC, town officials and other agencies have been discussing a possible move of the NOAH shelter out of Hyannis.

Presbrey said he will continue to work with the Transitional Living Center Committee on securing and funding a new location.

“In the meantime, the Catholic Social Services people will join the committee and will be participating in that and we’ll see how it goes,” Presbrey said.