COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS SENATE
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON 02133-1053
Senator Joan B. Lovely
State Senator
2nd Essex District
Phone: (617) 722-1410
Email: joan.lovely@masenate.gov
PRESS RELEASE:
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
RIVER HOUSE OF BEVERLY TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL PUBLIC FUNDS
(Boston) Today Senator Joan Lovely and Representative Jerald Parisella announced that the River House homeless shelter in the city of Beverly will receive an additional $95,397 in funding through a federal Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG). The grant money, which will be administered through the state, is part of an overall $4 million in ESG funds that are being awarded throughout Massachusetts.
“This grant will help stabilize the finances of the River House, which provides a vital service by ensuring that our homeless have a place to live during a difficult period in their lives,” said Representative Parisella. “Not only does the River House provide shelter, but services to end the cycle of homelessness for those who are served by Beverly’s only homeless shelter.”
“The River House does tremendous work for the district, so I’m happy to see it receive these additional resources,” said Senator Lovely. She added, “Due to the economic recession, homelessness has become a severe problem, and we need to do everything we can to support places like the River House that are helping to ease those pains.”
Recently, the state budget also included $200,000 to help fund the River House.
The River House, located on River Street in Beverly, provides shelter and services for homeless men who are working to regain self-sufficiency. The ESG award will be in addition to yearly funding that the shelter receives from the state for operational costs.
ESG is an annual federal grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that was increased under the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009. The HEARTH Act represents a national shift in focus away from emergency shelters and toward stable, permanent housing that mirrors the Commonwealth’s ongoing housing first effort.
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