Committee authorizes $10,000 emergency grant to Hopeful Outreach to cover winter needs

A town committee in Dennis voted to authorize a one-time $10,000 allocation to Hopeful Outreach to meet emergent winter needs for residents experiencing homelessness and substance use challenges.

Julie Benoit, outreach coordinator for the Dennis senior center, moved the motion; Lisa Donahue of Hopeful Outreach seconded. The Chair called for a vote and announced the motion passed; the transcript records the vote as verbally in favor but does not include an exact tally.

Committee members said the funds would be used for immediate needs such as hotel rooms, food and transportation while Hopeful Outreach connects clients to longer-term services and housing. Lisa Donahue described recent uses of prior local funding, saying the group pays for hotel rooms and food to keep people safe while working toward placement and recovery: "We put a few people up in hotel rooms because they can't be out there in 5 degree weather or below that." The organization also provides bus passes and helps clients reach detox or treatment programs when available.

Members discussed conditions and reporting. Several asked Hopeful Outreach to provide a budget template similar to the one used by Barnstable so the committee can specify how much of the grant would go to housing, food and transportation. One member noted some large grants come with restrictions that require line-item budgets; Hopeful Outreach agreed to supply a proposed skeleton budget.

The committee emphasized the funds are an emergency, short-term measure for the winter months. The Chair said the town has SUDAK/opioid remediation funds and other balances available and that the committee would review longer-term budgeting at the next meeting.

Next steps: Hopeful Outreach will provide a budget breakdown for the $10,000 request and the committee will revisit the item at its next meeting unless an immediate urgent need arises first.