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Pittsfield advisory panel warned federal changes complicate homelessness counts as shelters near capacity
Summary
At a Jan. 7 remote meeting, Three County Continuum of Care staff reviewed recent point‑in‑time count trends and told the Pittsfield City Homeless Advisory Committee that HUD notice changes and a court-ordered renewal process make project renewals less predictable; local shelters are reporting high occupancy.
PITTSFIELD — Officials from the Three County Continuum of Care told the Pittsfield City Homeless Advisory Committee on Jan. 7 that changes to a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) notice of funding opportunity and ensuing litigation have made planning for homelessness programs and point‑in‑time counts more difficult for communities in the region.
Michele LaFleur, data and evaluation manager for the Continuum of Care, reviewed recent point‑in‑time (PIT) count trends and described logistics for the upcoming winter count, including the designated night of Sunday, Jan. 25. LaFleur said the Continuum will distribute warming items and small gift cards to providers ahead of the count and will make paper and web survey options available for volunteers and providers during the Jan. 26–Feb. 1 survey window.
LaFleur told the committee that HUD had published a FY2025 NOFO that introduced major changes affecting project renewals and that, because of litigation from multiple Continuums of Care, a federal judge has ordered HUD to carry out a renewal process for FY2024 awards instead of proceeding under the FY2025 NOFO. Committee materials state that the judge’s order and the timing of HUD’s revised process make it difficult for communities to predict which projects will be renewed and under what terms.
Committee members and staff said that uncertainty at the federal level comes as local services face immediate capacity pressures. Erin Forbush, a committee member, said The Pearl is currently full; the warming center will remain open through April 19, and Onota Shelter has availability for 27 families. Vice Chair Justine Dodds said the committee is watching a “radical shift” in how government is approaching homelessness, from a long-standing emphasis on permanent supportive housing toward shelter-based responses — a shift she said could have “very real implications” for Pittsfield City.
The Continuum’s attachment to the meeting packet summarized PIT trend data for winter 2023–2025 and summer 2025 and reiterated outreach plans for the upcoming winter count. Staff urged anyone who serves or supports people experiencing homelessness to participate in surveys and local outreach ahead of the count.
The committee briefly handled routine business during the meeting: Dodds moved to approve the Dec. 3, 2025 minutes, Erin Forbush seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Chris Haley moved to adjourn at 11:50 a.m.; the motion was seconded by Dodds and approved unanimously.
The Continuum said it will publish updates to the community mailing list and on its website as details about HUD’s renewal process are released. The Homeless Advisory Committee did not take any policy votes at the Jan. 7 meeting.
