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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Comment from freedom Teams Homelessness in oppositionWr\p’s\ft\6-10-26 P—Freedom Teams—Homelessness—Hearing (7) AllNeedsMet.us © 2026 #L Topic 1 1 Introduction 2 1 NANN 3 1 Building needs 4 1 The Program 5 1 Zoning 6 1 Open Meeting of the Voters 7 1 Places of Origin—International Magnet 8 1 Background Checks are not done 9 1 Sex Offenders 10 1 Bans and Camps 11 1 Security 12 1 Hours of Operation—Everyday out on the street 13 1 Populations in the Shelter 13 1 Businesses 14 1 Lengths of Stay 15 1 Elderly\Seniors 16 1 Mental Illness 17 1 Substance Abuse—Alcohol and Drugs 18 1 Workers 19 1 Youth 20 1 Fire Department 21 1 Police 22 1 Schools 24 1 Churches 25 1 Solutions—All Needs Met Triage 26 1 Solutions—Barnstable Only 27 1 Solutions—Housing First 28 1 Solutions—Individuals over the Institution 29 1 Solutions—Elder House 30 1 Solutions—Police Oversight 31 1 Solutions—Recovery Beds 32 1 Solutions—Triage 33 1 Solutions—Workers’ House 34 1 Conclusion 1 2 Introduction Good evening. Thank you for your service. My name is Rick Brigham; my home is in Hyannis. I worked for 27 years in the Hyannis Shelter. P—Freedom Teams—Homelessness—Hearing, Page 1 of 15 #L Topic I worked for two more years at Champ Homes, which provides housing for Neighbors In Need, those without homes. 2 2 NANN I am a member of NANN. NANN stands for Neighbors Advocating for Neighbors In Need. The name is intentional. We are advocates for neighbors who don’t have homes, as well as for residents, and businesses. We call those without homes “Neighbors In Need,” because that is who they are. There are those in the community who would use a smear strategy to say we are against the Neighbor In Need, those who are without a home; this is exactly opposite to the truth. We are against a program that has policies that may help the few, but may actually be doing some degree of harm to the many, those who they are claiming to help. These policies are also causing harm to our community. We are here to oppose bad policies and to find better ways to help those in need. There are those around us who seemed to have been hoodwinked to smear us, but this is only a strategy to suppress the truth. We must look at the facts to get to solutions. Of note, it is interesting that those who use these failing policies needed to go off- Cape to find supporters, perhaps not finding enough people from Barnstable. 3 2 Building needs One perspective promoting the relocation is that there needs to be a better building. Providing a better building will not change a harmful program. I had a tour of the current shelter. When I worked there it was very differently arranged. Frankly, the current administration has made poor decisions in how they are using the spaces. We did not use bunk beds; the upstairs at the front was the women’s section, the back “L” was the Duffy clinic. Yes, the Duffy Clinic started at the shelter. The dining room had rectangular tables. P—Freedom Teams—Homelessness—Hearing, Page 2 of 15 #L Topic Do they need a new building because of poor decisions? Further, regarding the buildings, a local program looked into purchasing the property at 460 for permanent housing suitable for workers. And yet, HAC has chosen to keep the property—how much rent will they be receiving for this new “improved” facility? They may expand the 77 Winter Street property because of zoning changes, again, more rent. Are the priorities for these organizations the buildings and the income from the buildings? All of this should be at least researched, perhaps even investigated. What is the truth? 4 2 The Program I was part of creating the current program. I was wrong; now I know it. I also now know that the current program is harmful, even dangerous, to some of the Neighbors In Need and to all the neighbors in the community. I now know that the current program is jeopardizing health, safety, morals, convenience, and the general welfare of the inhabitants of our town. It will adversely affect the value of surrounding properties, and will not “secure” the community from confusion. Regarding the religious exemption—in my 27 years of working in the Hyannis shelter I was never allowed to openly discuss my faith because of the state funding. That the current program is claiming a religious exemption, is, at least, disingenuous, and, at most, deceptive. It is good that we are investigating the legitimacy of the religious exemption. It should be investigated whether a state-funded program can be a religious program. 5 2 Zoning Regarding zoning laws. FROM THE TOWN SITE, ZONING ORDINANCES OF BARNSTABLE, Chapter 240 Purpose: The purpose of this chapter (the zoning board of appeals) is to promote the health, safety, convenience, morals, and general welfare of the inhabitants of the Town of Barnstable, to protect and conserve the value of the property within the Town, to increase the amenities of the Town, and to secure safety from seasonal or periodic flooding, fire, congestion or confusion, all in accord with the General Laws, Chapter P—Freedom Teams—Homelessness—Hearing, Page 3 of 15 #L Topic 40A, as amended. To highlight the zoning processes and exemptions: if a business that wants to provide marijuana in a location that is not suitably zoned, perhaps in a residential area, could they claim to be religious by calling themselves something like “Church of the Caring Cannabis,” and bypass the overall purpose and intent of zoning law? Does an exemption supersede the purpose and intentions of zoning laws? The following policies and practices will clearly show that the shelter does not now on Winter Street, nor will it on West Main Street, fulfill the purposes of the zoning laws. The shelter does not promote the health, safety, convenience, morals, and general welfare of the inhabitants of the Town of Barnstable, it does not protect and conserve the value of the property, and it does not secure safety from confusion. 6 2 Open Meeting of the Voters NANN has obtained about 650 signatures, more than enough to have an Open Meeting of the Voters. NANN is asking for the truth regarding homelessness in Hyannis. This meeting will expose the many questions about homelessness in Hyannis, and advocate for truthful answers. The Greater Hyannis Civic Association, in January 2026, asked the town to have a meeting with Housing Assistance Corporation and Catholic Charities. This did not happen, and so we have submitted questions. We are asking the town to facilitate getting these answers for the Open Meeting of the Voters. It also seems that the officials of the town have not acted to protect the community. We will choose 60 questions from these topics. During the meeting, similar to Town Council’s Public Comment, each respondent will have 2 minutes for “Comments to the Public.” This will allow us to cover much in 2 hours. Solutions, ultimately, may be up to us, all Neighbors. Perhaps, to reach a solution, we will need to vote with our wallets and at the polls. 7 2 Places of Origin—International Magnet Now to the policies that do not support the zoning purposes. This is not comprehensive; it is only a start. Neighbors In Need are able to come to Hyannis from every town on the Cape, every town in Massachusetts, from other states, and from other countries. This does not promote health, safety, convenience, the general welfare of the inhabitants of P—Freedom Teams—Homelessness—Hearing, Page 4 of 15 #L Topic Barnstable, nor does it secure our community from confusion. Shelter statistics were given to us by staff of the shelter when we were first meeting. These indicate that, in 2024, 1.51 persons came from other towns on the Cape, 2.28 came from other towns in the state, 3.9 came from other states and 4.3 came from another country. 274 were served in that year. The total of non-Barnstable residents served was 91. 33% of those served in 2024 were not from Barnstable. 33% of those served, were people drawn to Hyannis because of the free bed, greatly increasing the burden on the housing and services in this area. Perhaps this is because of state funding. Perhaps we should consider a town-based response to Neighbors In Need. Regardless, this shelter is literally serving people from all over the world, some of whom are likely attracted to a free bed and free meals on Cape Cod, an international tourist attraction. How is it helping our Neighbors In Need if there are so many in need that the community and resources are overwhelmed. Add to this an extensive waiting list. People without homes at times travel. Word of mouth likely encourages people to come to Cape Cod for a free bed and free meals only to find that there is a long waiting list and no bed available. What do these misled people do? It would not be unusual if they set up a camp in some wooded area. It is our understanding that staff of the shelter organizations have been raising funds from throughout the Cape for the renovation. Towns are being encouraged to think of the shelter as a regional solution to the needs of their neighbors, and so, they are being encouraged to send their residents to Hyannis, profoundly burdening this already strained village. This is also placing an inordinate burden of care on Hyannis, compared to all the other villages of Barnstable. It does not promote the welfare of Barnstable to have, in the 40 years that the shelter has been in Hyannis, potentially an additional 90 people a year coming into our village. In 40 years, the shelter has very likely brought in 100’s, even1000’s of troubled and troubling Neighbors In Need into Hyannis. No wonder we feel overwhelmed. The police must cope with the numbers. P—Freedom Teams—Homelessness—Hearing, Page 5 of 15 #L Topic Our Fire Department must cope with the numbers. Being a magnet to the world has resulted in compromised care for everyone. Portland, ME, has a shelter model that serves only Neighbors In Need from their city, Portland. With some research and honest investigation and with committed planning, Barnstable could do the same. It is our understanding that, at the beginning, the Town of Barnstable approached Rick Presbrey, Founder and first CEO of HAC, to care for the Neighbors in Need in Hyannis. Over the years this has morphed into an international magnet. It is time to rethink what we are doing for our neighbors in Hyannis. Solution: Develop a town-based response to Neighbors In Need, serving those from Barnstable only, and helping other towns to do the same for their residents. This all needs to be researched and investigated to get to the truth of the effects of this policy. Add to this… 8 2 Background Checks are not done Likely because of state funding, the shelter does not do a background check on anyone coming into the shelter—no checking for criminal warrants, sex offense registry, place of origin, nothing. There is no checking of Neighbors In Need coming from everywhere, and, as you’ll see the shelter is then putting these unknown Neighbors In Need into the community? Solution: Become a town-based response to Neighbors In Need and implement appropriate and respectful background checks. 9 2 Sex Offenders Recently one of our members reviewed the scrolling sex offender video at the police station. Easily half are without homes. These Neighbors In Need also need options. However, there might, at times, be sex offenders among the population, no one knows how many, and that there is no alerting the community to this fact. We were told by one official in the town that there are many sex offenders in the population. What is the truth? Relocating near to schools is asking for a disaster, an invitation to those who would prey on our students. This, too, needs to be researched and investigated. P—Freedom Teams—Homelessness—Hearing, Page 6 of 15 #L Topic 10 2 Bans and Camps People can be banned from the shelter, often because of behavioral issues, literally putting them out of the shelter and onto the street for at least a month (30 days). When they are “put out” there is no accountability or options. They are left to cope, putting them, and the community, at some risk. It is reported that there are many camps in our village. It is inevitable that, at least some of these ejected folks will build camps in wooded areas, which, on West Main Street, could be around and near the schools. In the Cape Cod Times article in the May 20, 2026 edition, Susan Mazzarella, CEO of Catholic Charities, is quoted as saying: “Guests are also instructed not to loiter and can lose shelter access if complaints are received, she said.” So, if a Neighbor In Need is out in the community and causes a complaint, that person will “lose shelter access,” and so, be permanently out on the street. What if there are further complaints? It seems the shelter has washed their hands of this situation. This is not caring for Neighbors In Need or the community. This is a telling policy—the shelter invites people from all over the world and then manages troubling behaviors by literally putting them out of the shelter and onto our streets. It seems Catholic Charities is expecting the community to manage those troubling Neighbors In Need that they cannot seem to manage, even though their policies have brought the people here. This, too, could be researched and investigated. How many camps are there? Where do people in the camps really come from? Addressing camps throughout the community is a lot to ask of the community, and the police, and at what cost? Maybe these funds could be used to create a town-based response to needs. 11 2 Security Neighbors In Need who go into the shelter are closely checked when they enter. In fact, a security wand is used to insure they have no paraphernalia or weapons. However, these are the same Neighbors In Need who are going out to our community every day. Who is checking them on the streets for paraphernalia and weapons? 12 2 Hours of Operation—Everyday out on the street P—Freedom Teams—Homelessness—Hearing, Page 7 of 15 #L Topic Currently, at least until a few months ago, the shelter makes everyone leave at 7 am, and they are told that they must not loiter. During our tour, staff seemed proud that they had put up cameras to be sure everyone leaves. One person said that the staff said they destroyed chairs so the people wouldn’t linger. Is this compassion and care? Out the door at 7 am. Some of us aren’t even awake at that hour. And where are they to go; it doesn’t matter just get out of the shelter that is supposed to be helping them. They are literally out onto the streets of the community every day. Those who have lost nearly everything, are forced into daily survival mode. Staff say many of the people are working. But, as you’ll see, businesses have been impacted by this daily exodus. Apparently, there are many who are not working. A NANN member went by the shelter in the afternoon on two separate occasions and witnessed several people headed to the shelter who were using walkers, canes and a wheelchair. Recently, another person went by—three people with canes, out to walk the streets all day? We addressed this with the CEO of Catholic Charities. She said they didn’t have the money to have a “Day Program,” and yet she was pictured at the County receiving 3 million dollars with HAC for renovations. We also learned that there is staff at the shelter during the day. What are her priorities? There are reports that this policy has been changed. Is this because of the public pressure, not because it is the right thing to do? There are questions here. This is another area that could use research and perhaps investigation. Truly, who are the ones who are unloving to our Neighbors In Need? 13 2 Populations in the Shelter The shelter puts all categories of Neighbors In Need, some of whom are vulnerable, some of whom are volatile, into one environment, so that, for example, the elderly are with drug abusers, and a woman with a mental illness is vulnerable to sexual abuse. This does certainly seem to be the case. Neighbors In Need who already have personal challenges are facing a long added list of challenges to their situations. People express concern for the elderly and yet they are in the shelter with others, like P—Freedom Teams—Homelessness—Hearing, Page 8 of 15 #L Topic the man who recently attacked MacDonald’s claiming to be Satan. Is this the best way, putting all categories of need in the same room? Couldn’t we look at different options for the different category of need? We have heard from several people that they wouldn’t go to the shelter out of fear. If people in need are afraid to go there, how well is it really serving those it is intended to assist? 13 2 Businesses On May 18, 2026, the Hyannis News reported that the MacDonald’s, only a block away from the shelter, was frighteningly attacked and property damaged by a man claiming to be Satan. The man’s current address at the time was “the Winter Street homeless shelter.” The Hyannis News article can be found at www.NANNCapeCod.com in the “In the News” section. At times the shelter will claim that those in the community are not staying in the shelter. However, people are coming from everywhere (see “Places of Origin” in the topics list for details) hearing about a free bed and meals. They may come and the shelter is full, so they aren’t officially in the shelter, but the shelter has drawn them here. This needs research and investigation. The following are only a few examples, found in only a few weeks, of negative impacts on the community. How many more examples are there? One business, near the Winter Street shelter, had to hire a security person for the morning, from 6 am to 11 am, seven days a week, to handle the influx from the shelter? This business near the Winter Street shelter has had overdoses in the bathroom of that business. This business near the Winter Street shelter has had to implement no trespass orders. The manager of this business near the Winter Street shelter went to the shelter with concerns, and was told by staff of the shelter that the challenges were not “their problem.” The current manager of the shelter has said she would be a phone call away if needed on West Main Street. With these kinds of reports why should we believe her? A worker at another business near the shelter reported seeing, outside, “fornication.” Another business, serving children, located near the Winter Street shelter, had a man who was incontinent come into the business, because he needed a bathroom, and that P—Freedom Teams—Homelessness—Hearing, Page 9 of 15 #L Topic this Neighbor In Need came out of the bathroom fully exposed. A church, near the shelter, has had to lock its doors during their Sunday morning worship because of the violence from a Neighbor In Need at their church. Some Neighbors In Need choose to ride for hours in the Regional Transit Authority B-Bus in order to be off the streets. This was reported to a member of the NANN by a driver of the B-Bus. We will invite this driver to our Open Meeting of the Voters. Family businesses, like the bowling alley, a miniature golf course, and the carousel, are no longer on Main Street. Did this happen because families were less likely to come to Main Street because of the sometimes frightening presence of some Neighbors In Need? Perhaps, this, too, could be investigated. 14 2 Lengths of Stay We have learned that some Neighbors In Need have stayed for up to 18 months, one even up to three years, meaning these beds are not available for other Neighbors In Need. Another area needing research and investigation. NANN will invite Catholic Charities to compile data about lengths of stay to share as a document at the Open Meeting of the Voters. 15 2 Elderly\Seniors It is often being stated that the population in the shelter is aging, which causes questions about the effectiveness of agencies that are well paid to help the elderly. Again, why are those of us who are seniors being placed in close quarters with drug users, dealers, and many other troubled and troubling people? By the way, seniors on West Main Street are frightened. West Main Street is their neighborhood. Will they be intimidated and so not able to leave their homes? Solution: An elder house. Barnstable has several properties. Let’s research to see if one can be used for the elderly of Barnstable who are in need. NANN will invite Elder Services, which has a department called “Elders at Risk,” to our Open Meeting of the Voters to better understand their services and involvement with the shelter. Recently one Elder Services office closed, in part, it seems, because of exorbitant salaries. Perhaps we should look into the budget of the local Elder Services and see if there aren’t resources to help the seniors who are without a home. P—Freedom Teams—Homelessness—Hearing, Page 10 of 15 #L Topic 16 2 Mental Illness Those with the challenges of mental illness are placed into a chaotic environment that likely adds to their challenges. We do not need to imagine someone with schizophrenia coping in a crowded situation. It is likely happening now. This brings into question the effectiveness of agencies working with this population. When I worked in the shelter, it seemed to me that the case managers relaxed once their client was in the shelter. Perhaps the Department of Mental Health should place their clients who do not have a home into a motel, which would incentivize the case manager to stay on duty and work diligently to find a solution. 17 2 Substance Abuse—Alcohol and Drugs Currently, the Neighbor In Need who struggles with alcoholism is allowed to come to the shelter under the influence, is allowed to sober up on the foyer, can then come in for a meal and a bed, and is allowed to go out the next day to repeat this behavior, which likely includes using what resources he or she may have to buy more alcohol. What is the intervention for those struggling with alcohol? Is the current program actually worsening their addiction? We were told that Neighbors In Need, when they are coming into the shelter, are told, at least sometimes, to hide their drugs and paraphernalia outside before coming in, which could make these items accessible to children or youth in the area. Solution: It is our understanding that High Point, a recovery and treatment program, is moving into Independence Park very near to the new HAC offices. High Point will be another organization that pays no taxes to the town. Might they be asked to prioritize maybe five beds for those from Hyannis? This, too, needs research and investigation. Of those who are without homes in Hyannis and struggling with alcohol and\or drugs, how many are actually from Barnstable? What number of interventions would be needed if we were helping only those from our town? 18 2 Workers It is being claimed that 50% of those in the shelter are working, and yet they are paying nothing for their rent or meals? There is a program in the community that provides housing for workers. This organization sought to purchase 460 West Main Street, but, for some reason, it didn’t work out. This organization has over 60 beds already, how many more beds could they add with this property? P—Freedom Teams—Homelessness—Hearing, Page 11 of 15 #L Topic If our community had more options like this successful program, it may be better for the workers to be paying an affordable rent in a stabilizing community rather than continuing to stay in the shelter where they need pay nothing, and where, by the way, they must leave by 7 am on their days off. 19 2 Youth When I worked at the shelter, it was not unusual for youth (18 years and older), who wanted to be out from under the demands of parents, to come to the shelter where there were no requirements, where they need pay nothing, where they could eat and sleep, which then, allowed them to play throughout the day in the Hyannis streets and on the Hyannis beaches? Solution: Engage churches to engage and befriend youth. Towards the end of my time at the shelter, I linked members of churches with a youth. The results, the transformation for this youth, were outstanding. Members of churches want to serve; this could be a tremendous service to the youth of our community. 20 2 Fire Department A member of NANN found that, in 2025, there were about 180 calls from the shelter address for Rescue, nearly one call for every 2 days, which, we found, is not the case for other programs housing Neighbors In Need. The Hyannis Fire Department is supported solely by the residents of Hyannis. What is the cost of these interventions? Why is there so much need for Rescue? Staff of the Fire Department are having Neighbors in Need coming to their door all hours of the day and night for food and blankets. Research is needed. NANN will ask the Hyannis Fire Department, for whom we have great respect, appreciation and to whom we give our full support, to attend the Open Meeting of the Voters, and to provide all relevant statistics and related costs to the town. 21 2 Police One of the NANN members found that, every summer, there are 3 to 4 calls a day, concerning issues with men and women who are without a home. It is our understanding that the Police are very active throughout the community addressing the many challenges that have been brought into Barnstable and the village of Hyannis, even having dedicated staff. What are the numbers of calls to assist individuals who are without homes? What is the cost to the town for these interventions? How many are truly from Hyannis and Barnstable? P—Freedom Teams—Homelessness—Hearing, Page 12 of 15 #L Topic NANN will ask the Barnstable Police Department, for whom we have great respect, appreciation and to whom we give our support, to attend the Open Meeting of the Voters and to provide all relevant statistics and the related costs to the town. 22 2 Schools There are five schools in close proximity to the 460 West Main Street location (including the school at the Chabad Center) putting hundreds of students at risk. It is our understanding that the Barnstable School Committee has written a letter to HAC and Catholic Charities expressing their concerns for this proposed relocation. If HAC and Catholic Charities were good neighbors, this should be enough to stop the proposed relocation. 24 2 Churches There were about 180 Neighbors In Need from Hyannis (how is this verified?) in 2024, and there is an estimated 130 churches in the area [www.faithstreet.com]. If “each one helped one,” if each church helped one Neighbor In Need, could this significantly help solve the homelessness challenge? 25 2 Solutions—All Needs Met Triage There was a pilot conducted at the shelter in Hyannis that interviewed 40 people who were seeking access to the shelter, and that the interviewer was able to find solutions for 39 of the people so that they didn’t need to come to the shelter. An individualize, customized approach could resolve many situations. 26 2 Solutions—Barnstable Only Portland, ME, has a municipal shelter, and it has a location that is separate from the shelter where they vet the Neighbors In Need. They transport only those people who are from Portland to the shelter, which is in a private, remote location. 27 2 Solutions—Housing First When Operation In From The Streets (OIFTS) started, it placed 25 of the most challenging Neighbors In Need into individual motel rooms, provided services to each of them. By the end of 3 months, 18 had been placed in housing or a program. 28 2 Solutions—Individuals over the Institution There might be a way to help individual Neighbors In Need that could do away with the institutional response. P—Freedom Teams—Homelessness—Hearing, Page 13 of 15 #L Topic If every town engaged their churches to respond in a customized way to Neighbors In Need, there would be no need for an institution. 29 2 Solutions—Elder House There are properties in Barnstable that could be used for an Elder House, overseen by Elder Services, who are funded to care for Elders at Risk. What are the budget numbers? If there were an Elder House, the elder could contribute to the cost of the building as their situation is being assessed and resolved. 30 2 Solutions—Police Oversight If the response to helping those without homes were only from Barnstable, the police could be involved in the background checks and oversight. 31 2 Solutions—Recovery Beds High Point is moving 65 recovery beds into Hyannis on Independence Park. As a non-profit, High Point will be paying no taxes to the town. Might High Point, to support the town, set aside priority beds for those in Barnstable who are without homes and who are struggling with alcoholism and/or drug addiction? 32 2 Solutions—Triage Catholic Charities conducts a triage but this does not include finding a solution in the home community of the Neighbor In Need, instead sending them to the nearest shelter. Catholic Charities is not, and yet could be, working with local churches to find town- based, home community solutions for Neighbors In Need, instead of sending them to shelters which may be a distance from their homes. This Triage approach was brought to the CEO of Catholic Charities at her first meeting with NANN. Though she expressed interest in what she called “diversion,” nothing came of this conversation. 33 2 Solutions—Workers’ House It is claimed that 50% of the Neighbors In Need at the shelter are working, and yet they are paying nothing for room and board, are not required to save, and can stay P—Freedom Teams—Homelessness—Hearing, Page 14 of 15 #L Topic without a limit? A very successful housing program looked into buying the 460 West Main Street property, which would have provided many permanent housing options. The mission of HAC is housing. Might they reconsider this successful program? Might they even donate the building because of the questionable $3 million from the County? 34 2 Conclusion The institutional response to homelessness is harmful to many and does not fulfill the purposes and intents of zoning laws. There are many proven best practices to help our Neighbors In Need. Reject the building permit for 460 and join with the community to work for best solutions for everyone. P—Freedom Teams—Homelessness—Hearing, Page 15 of 15