Older women are among those facing rising rates of housing insecurity. In Massachusetts, a new $7 million shelter may help to address the crisis.
Here’s what to know
At a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony, Lowell-based nonprofit Community Teamwork Inc. introduced a new facility for 50 women who need safe housing outside family shelters or mixed-gender settings, local GBH News reported.
The facility, funded through a mix of public and private support, is expected to start housing 50 women in a few weeks. Rather than serving only as an overnight option, the shelter will provide residents with a place to stay during the day so that they have the time and space to complete housing applications and connect with support services.
The added capacity comes amid a severe local shortage in temporary shelter space. Existing emergency shelters in the area can serve only about 43% of those in need of housing, based on an analysis by the National Alliance to End Homelessness cited by GBH…