Family Promise affiliate seeks HUD clearance for expanded day center to serve more families experiencing homelessness

Family Promise representatives updated the board on a planned expansion to increase local capacity to serve families experiencing homelessness.

Carlyn Armsworthy (vice chair of the Family Promise board) said the organization provides emergency assistance, a shelter program for families with children and transitional housing and that in 2024 the local affiliate served its 1,000th family since affiliating with Family Promise National in 2017.

"We are looking to expand our day center into a static site so that we can serve more families at one time," Armsworthy said, adding that the project was not intended to be a general homeless shelter but rather a larger facility focused on families with children. The group reported it had received a land gift on Depot Street, completed an environmental review and submitted it to HUD for final approval; if HUD clears the review the group plans to demolish an existing bus garage and proceed with construction.

Why it matters: Family Promise provides targeted services for families and the planned facility would allow more simultaneous placements and services, which local officials said would benefit Depot Street and the town's service capacity.

What's next: Family Promise is awaiting HUD final approval for the environmental review and has engaged an architect (John Fuller) for building drawings. The organization encouraged residents to follow updates via its website and social media.

Source: Presentation and remarks by Carlyn Armsworthy during the meeting.