WESTFIELD – The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) voted unanimously last night to approve a funding application submitted by Domus Inc. for the conversion of the former Red Cross building to house homeless high school students.
Domus requested $80,000 of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding to construct 11 single room residencies (SRO) in the Broad Street facility which will also include common areas and counseling offices for up to 10 students. The total cost of the building conversion and renovation is estimated at $1.4 million, with the bulk of that funding from the state Department of Housing & Community Development.
The CPC will forward their recommendation to approve the funding to Mayor Daniel M. Knapik who will have to send the issue to the City Council for appropriation.
Domus offers affordable housing to low and moderate income families, the homeless, and the mentally and physically disabled in nine housing buildings around the city, and is seeking Planning Board approval of a site plan to establish a 10-bed facility for homeless teen students at the Broad Street building which has been vacant since the Westfield Red Cross Chapter moved up the street to St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Earlier this week at the Planning Board hearing on the Domus site plan Lentini said that “We have, at any one time, 30 students who are homeless in Westfield. In the state we have 6,000 homeless students.”
“You may have heard of the term ‘couch surfers, ‘ kids who stay with friends for a couple of days then move to another friend,” Lentini said at the hearing. “Since 2008 we have been working with a number of people, school counselors, churches, the YMCA , looking for a suitable place.”
Lentini said the building will be revamped and will have 11 residential units, as well as common areas. Ten of the units will house students and one will be used to house a resident manager on the first floor for supervision and security.
Domus Executive Director Ann Lentini said last night that the appropriation request is time-sensitive because she has to submit the project to state officials by the end of this month.
“The state (officials) wants to know if the city is committed to this project,” Lentini said, “as demonstrated by approval of the CPA funding component. We won’t take your money unless the project is approved by the state.”
“This project is just a small piece to boost the city’s affordable housing requirements,” Lentini said. “This program fits into the Broad Street area. It is within walking distance of the Athenaeum and shopping.”
Lentini said Domus is trying to fast-track the project to secure funding and complete the property sale with the Red Cross.
“There is an education component because the program includes guidance and direction, life skill counseling such as learning to cook, to shop for food to prepare these students for life on their own.
“We feel we have to have a house to provide oversight. The need is out there,” Lentini said. “Domus has quite a number of housing projects in the city. But nothing like this. This homeless student housing is the first in the area.”
“None of my projects are ‘party houses’ which some people fear this would be,” Lentini said. “Domus has rules for residents in every project which are very strict.”
Several members of the committee said that the board has worked with Domus in the past and that the reputation of the agency is excellent.
Dan Kelly, executive director of the Westfield Housing Authority, said his agency is involved with several of the Domus residential programs through voucher administration.
“I have never had an issue with any Domus project,” Kelly said.
Committee member Vince Olinski made the motion to approve the funding request, contingent upon state funding and that the project is for low-income residents.
