mjd-bartlett | Bartlett Housing Solutions

Donate to Laundry of Love!

November 22, 2023 3:52 pm Comments Off

We need your help! Bartlett Housing Solutions is introducing our “Laundry of Love” Campaign, where we aim to raise $10,000 for a crucial upgrade that will not only enhance our in-house services but also save the organization a remarkable $16,000 annually.

Our goal is clear – we aspire to acquire a state-of-the-art commercial washer and dryer, coupled with fresh, medical-grade bed linens.

By contributing to our campaign, you’re directly supporting an initiative that will have a lasting impact on Bartlett Housing Solutions. These new items, will not only elevate the living conditions for those we serve but also result in significant cost savings, allowing us to redirect funds towards other critical programs.

Bartlett Housing Solutions Announces Release of Annual Report, Highlighting Accomplishments and Evolving Policies

October 18, 2023 8:28 pm Comments Off

Morgantown, WV October 9, 2023 – Bartlett Housing Solutions, a leading provider of housing solutions in the community, is pleased to announce the release of its Annual Report for the time period of July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. The report showcases the organization’s commitment to addressing the housing needs of the community and reflects its ongoing efforts to adapt to the evolving needs of those it serves.

One of the key highlights of the Annual Report is the significant increase in housing placements across all programs. Bartle3 Housing Solutions has successfully placed a record number of individuals and families into safe and stable housing during the reporting period. This achievement is a testament to the organization’s dedication to providing effective housing solutions and support services to those experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.

In addition to the positive outcomes in housing placement, Bartlett Housing Solutions has also implemented new policies and procedures to be3er reflect the evolving needs of the community. Recognizing the changing landscape of housing challenges, the organization has proactively adapted its approach to ensure that its programs and services remain responsive and effective. These new policies and procedures aim to enhance the overall quality and accessibility of housing solutions, ultimately improving the lives of those in need.

“We are proud to share the outcomes of our Annual Report, which demonstrate our continued commitment to addressing the housing crisis in our community,” said Keri Demasi, CEO at Bartlett Housing Solutions. “The increase in housing placements and the implementation of new policies and procedures reflect our dedication to providing comprehensive and sustainable solutions to those in need. We remain steadfast in our mission to create a community where everyone has access to safe and stable housing.”

Bartlett Housing Solutions invites community members, stakeholders, and the media to review the full Annual Report, which will be available here on our website. For further information or to schedule an interview, please contact Keri DeMasi at KDeMasi@BartlettHousingSolutions.org or (304) 282-4611.

About Bartlett Housing Solutions:
Bartlett Housing Solutions is a leading provider of housing solutions in the community. With a mission to address homelessness and housing insecurity, the organization offers a range of programs and services aimed at providing safe and stable housing options, as well as support services to help individuals and families regain independence. Bartlett Housing Solutions is committed to creating a community where everyone has access to affordable and sustainable housing.

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Media Contact:
Keri DeMasi
Executive Director
kdemasi@bartletthousingsolu7b94aaons.org
304-282-4611

Intoducing our Newest Team Member, Randall Brown

April 25, 2023 3:51 pm Comments Off

Bartlett Housing Solutions is excited to introduce our newest team member: Randall Brown!

Randall will be joining our Case Management Team as the Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Lead. He will be working in our PSH program which houses 16 chronically homeless individuals with an underlying disability (substance abuse disorder, mental illness etc.)

Additionally, Randall will be implementing his Addictive Behavior Awareness (ABA) class that he personally developed and copyrighted over 23 years of working with those suffering with substance abuse disorder. The class will be held 2 times per week for each program and will aim to support those suffering with addiction to find a road to recovery. Randall has decades of experience in this field and currently serves as West Virginia’s longest serving peer recovery coach.

Addiction has become a crisis nationwide and in our community. Bartlett Housing Solutions is dedicated to helping those battling this disease acquire necessary treatment and/or support and feel confident Randall and his ABA program will be pivotal in eliciting positive change amongst our clients battling with substance abuse disorder.

$9.7 Million to Support Affordable Housing in West Virginia

3:46 pm Comments Off

Bartlett Housing Solutions in Morgantown, West Virginia was one of more than a dozen housing agencies across the state to be awarded money from the U.S. Department of Housing. Read more about the funding and its purpose here at The Dominion Post.

We Need Your Help: Triage Shelter Closed Due To Significant Damage

May 5, 2022 4:06 pm Comments Off

This past week, Bartlett Housing Solutions suffered a huge setback as our Triage Shelter was hit by a severe storm microburst and now has extensive damage to the roof and facility. Last year, we relocated our Triage Shelter to Hazel’s House of Hope, previously the Ramada Inn, to better serve our homeless community. The triage shelter provides support and services to some of our most vulnerable individuals facing homelessness, and serves as their first step towards help, assistance and recovery. We are extremely grateful that no one was physically injured during the storm.

To read more on the storm and damage, please visit the following media links:

Our entire Bartlett team is working diligently to continue to support our clients to the best of our ability. However, at this time, our Triage Shelter will be closed until further notice. Our existing clients will continue to be served through our facility located on West Run Road.

But now we need your help! The damage has forced us to find additional means and resources for serving our homeless community, which is currently averaging $1,000/night to house those displaced by the storm. We are determined to continue our mission of taking care of our residents, but only have limited resources.

We are asking for donations to help us continue to serve and assist our homeless community, who are already facing a number of challenges and obstacles. We ask you to please give what you can, share our request with anyone you know who might be able to help, either through direct giving or sharing on social media.

We are so grateful for any way you can help.

*****

From all of us at Bartlett Housing Solutions, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all of the first responders who arrived at the shelter to provide assistance including our firefighters, paramedics and police officers. We would also like to extend our appreciation to the Monongalia County Board of Education for providing a bus to assist in transporting our residents to our temporary housing, as well as The Salvation Army and Community Kitchen for their ongoing assistance in preparing hot meals that we can deliver to our clients. We would also like to share our appreciation for Morgantown’s Deputy Mayor Danielle Trumble and Tom Bloom for their immediate response and assistance.

We would also like to acknowledge and say thank you to Community Kitchen, Pantry Plus More, The Salvation Army and numerous community members for preparing hot meals, donating food and supplies for our clients that were displaced from our Triage Shelter.

Our team has been working non-stop to help deliver all of the items to our clients, who appreciate the generosity more than we can describe. We cannot thank our community enough for those that have stepped up to help in so many ways.

New Triage Center Now Open at Scott Avenue Location

March 15, 2022 3:01 pm Comments Off

Bartlett Housing Solutions triage center is now open at the old Ramada Inn location in Morgantown. Substantial roof damage at the previous location downtown made it impossible to stay there, and since mid-march, the triage center has been open 24 hours a day at their new location on Scott Avenue.

Bartlett occupies the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors of the north wing of the building, with over 14,000 square feet of space and 28 beds in the triage center.

Keri DeMasi, Executive Director of Bartlett Housing Solutions, taked to WBOY about the changes.

It’s a brand new property that allows us to have a little more capacity in our shelter. But it also affords us the ability to offer additional rental housing units, which we have on the upper floors, the third and fourth floors of that property.

If you’re an individual in need of housing, call Bartlett Housing Solutions coordinated entry intake at (833) 722-2014. If you’re an individual with children and have nowhere to stay tonight, call our client services coordinator at (304) 292-0101.

Support our 2020 Canned Vegetable Drive!

November 17, 2020 4:02 pm Comments Off

This November, we ask that you join us in a month of thankfulness & giving. With the winter months upon us, we ask for your help in stocking our pantry with canned veggies. On average, our team prepares 25 cans of vegetables per day, 7 days per week, resulting in a need for at least 700 cans each month. Any help or support is greatly appreciated, and reinforces our mission to provide an end to homelessness, even if that means one person at a time.

Given everything else going on around us, we’ve made it easier than ever to donate, or even to start your own fundraising drive!

Visit our Canned Vegetable Drive page here, and click “Start a Fundraiser” in the panel on the right. Then you can set your own fundraising goal, and get a custom page to share on your social media and with your family and friends.

If you’d prefer, you can donate directly from the Canned Vegetable Drive page, or you can drop off your donation in person at any of these participating locations:

Compass Realty. 4000 Coombs Farm Drive, Suite 202. Morgantown, WV 26508. Directions here.
Morgantown Power Sports. 526 Mileground Rd, Morgantown, WV 26505. Directions here.
Stick Tattoo Company. 408 Suncrest Towne Centre Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505. Directions here.

Thank you so much!

Press Release: Policy and Procedural Changes to Maintain a Safe, Diverse, Inclusive and Welcoming Environment

August 13, 2020 8:53 pm Comments Off

Bartlett Housing Solutions today introduces several policy and procedural changes to positively impact the operations of the organization. The Executive Director and Board of Directors of Bartlett House, Inc., are committed to maintaining a safe, diverse, inclusive and welcoming environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We remain steadfast in our belief that no form of discrimination, harassment, or inappropriate conduct is tolerated by anyone in our facilities. Accordingly, to continue to encourage all individuals who utilize our services and facilities to report any discrimination, harassment, and other misconduct that they may experience or witness as well as emphasize that retaliation for making such a complaint is prohibited, we are updating our existing Client Grievance Policy and Procedure in the following ways:

Implement a hotline that will allow an individual who is not comfortable with making a complaint to the individuals identified in the current Client Grievance Policy and procedure to submit an anonymous complaint which will be forwarded to the Executive Director for investigation. The anonymous hotline will be operated by a third party, staffed 24/7 and can be reached by phone or via internet. The Board of Directors will also receive a report, at least monthly, from the anonymous hotline outlining complaint data.
Afford the Executive Director the discretion to forward complaints of discrimination, harassment or other inappropriate conduct to an independent third party to conduct the investigation and provide a report of factual findings to the Executive Director. Should a complaint involve alleged conduct by the Executive Director, the Board of Directors will forward the complaint to an independent third party to be investigated and the report of factual findings by the investigator will be provided to the Board of Directors.
Include additional language in our Client Grievance Policy & Procedure to emphasize our position that if a complaint is made, retaliation is strictly prohibited, and any employee investigated and found to be engaging in retaliation would be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Also, in addition to our existing in-house training, all Bartlett House staff and volunteers will receive additional training provided by an independent third party concerning dual relationships, discrimination, harassment, other misconduct, and retaliation which will include a review of our Code of Conduct and other applicable policies prohibiting the same. The Executive Director and the Board of Directors will also receive training by an independent third party on conducting employee investigations with respect to discrimination, harassment, and other misconduct.

We are taking these steps to continue to ensure that all people experiencing homelessness have a safe and accessible shelter available to them as well as continue to provide mechanism through which they are comfortable to report any discrimination, harassment or other inappropriate conduct so that it can be investigated and addressed, if needed.

[ Download as PDF ]

4 Things You Can Do Help People Who are Homeless and Help Them Find Housing

August 5, 2020 3:40 pm Comments Off

1.) Learn More about Housing First

Utilizing the Housing First model Bartlett Housing Solutions staff arrange for emergency, bridge, or supportive housing for homeless individuals who have insufficient resources to provide for these necessities. We believe there is a solution to homelessness – and it is affordable, sustainable housing!

Bartlett Housing Solutions has been facing the challenge of homelessness for more than three decades. Yes, there will continue to be people who must leave home because of eviction, emergencies, as well as those who simply face individual challenges that make the transition to independent living difficult. But, actually ending homelessness means something different – it means ensuring housing stability so that everyone has access to affordable, safe, accessible, and appropriate housing. Ending homelessness means doing things differently than we have been when it comes to addressing the problem of homelessness in our community.

Housing First does not mean” Housing Only.” While a Housing First approach prioritizes housing as a solution, it is only achieved with the appropriate blend of services and supports that make it possible for each individual to succeed, on a case-by-case basis. In the end, Housing first is the only evidence-based, proven practice endorsed by the Housing and Urban Development Fund for providers who work in the field of homelessness. To succeed, we must all get on the same page and work together.

Want to learn more? Here are some great resources:

Housing First in Permanent Supportive Brief

This brief provides an overview of the principles and core components of the Housing First model. It also provides information to permanent supportive housing providers about how they can implement a Housing First approach if they are not already doing so. Housing First is an approach to quickly and successfully connect individuals and families experiencing homelessness to permanent housing without preconditions and barriers to entry, such as sobriety, treatment, or service participation requirements. Supportive services are offered to maximize housing stability and prevent returns to homelessness as opposed to addressing predetermined treatment goals before permanent housing entry.

[ Housing First in Permanent Supportive Housing Brief (PDF) ]

USICH Housing First Checklist

This checklist was designed to help you make a quick assessment of whether and to what degree housing programs — and entire systems — are employing a Housing First approach. Robust tools and instruments are available elsewhere to quantitatively measure program quality and fidelity to Housing First. This tool is not meant to take the place of those more rigorous assessments, but is intended to help Continuums of Care, private housing and services providers, funders, and other stakeholders to communicate about, and quickly assess, alignment with crucial Housing First approaches.

[ Housing First Checklist: Assessing Projects and Systems for a Housing First Orientation (PDF) ]

Org.Code

OrgCode works around the world to help end homelessness. They are located throughout the United States and Canada. They see firsthand and influence firsthand hundreds of communities each year. To learn more about homelessness from some of the best in the field on a vast range of handing topics on homelessness, go to: https://www.orgcode.com/

2.) Learn more about state-wide services in the area of homelessness in West Virginia

The goal of the WV Coalition to End Homelessness is to end homelessness in our state, and their focus is on communities. They can provide the tools to arm communities with strategies to get this accomplished.

Please visit: The West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness

3). Get Involved At A National Level

U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness

The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, coordinates and catalyzes the federal response to homelessness, by working in close partnership with senior leaders across 19 federal member agencies. By organizing and supporting leaders such as Governors, Mayors, Continuum of Care leaders, and other local officials, they drive action to achieve the goals of the federal strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness—and ensure that homelessness in America is ended once and for all.

Download Files at: https://www.usich.gov/solutions/

Here’s a great article on Solutions to Homelessness by USICH: https://www.usich.gov/solutions/

4.) Become familiar with other resources and advocacy groups that work on behalf of people experiencing homelessness.

Resources:

National Alliance to End Homelessness Resources and Facts
The Alliance has developed a series of fact sheets, Fact Checkers and Explainers, to answer common and frequent questions about homelessness policy and research. All fact sheets draw on the best expertise, data, and research available.

Institute for Children and Poverty
An independent research and policy think tank that conducts national research on the causes of family homelessness, the demographics of this growing population, and the programs most effective in assisting homeless families to transition to stability and self-sufficiency.

National Center for Homeless Education
Provides numerous resources on homeless children and youth, resources for advocates, etc.

National Center on Family Homelessness
A non-profit organization working towards long-term solutions that help homeless families become self-supporting and active participants in community life.

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Website on Homeless Veterans

Advocacy Groups:

National Coalition for the Homeless
A national advocacy network of homeless persons, activities, service providers and others committed to ending homelessness through public education, policy advocacy, grassroots organizing, and technical assistance.

National Healthcare for the Homeless Council

National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty

National Low-income Housing Coalition

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
(NCHV) – provides legislative advocacy, public education and technical assistance for service providers of homeless veterans.

National Student Campaign Against Hunger & Homelessness
A coalition of students and community members across the country working to end hunger and homelessness through service projects and action.

National Alliance to End Homelessness

Coalition on Human Needs
The Coalition on Human Needs is an alliance of national organizations working together to promote public policies that address the needs of low-income and other vulnerable people.

Follow OrgCodes blog on a wide variety of topics at: https://www.orgcode.com/blog

Always Report Abuse or Neglect

When you suspect abuse or neglect, you should report your concerns to us and to the county office of the Department of Health and Human Resources where you live. Reports can also be made to the Abuse and Neglect Hotline ( 1-800-352-6513 ) 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

Learn more – Child Abuse and Neglect reporting

Learn more – Adult Abuse and Neglect reporting

Report other forms of abuse or neglect

For more information: Visit Here

West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources
State Capitol Complex, Building 3 Room 206
Charleston, WV 25305
Phone: (304) 558-0684
Fax: (304) 558-1130

Bartlett Housing Solutions COVID-19 Update

June 1, 2020 5:09 pm Comments Off

Update, June 23, 2020: Bartlett Housing Solutions has transitioned from our initial COVID-19 operational standard to a more precautionary status, as our surrounding communities begin to reopen. However, our staff and residents are still required to uphold many of the operational standards initially implemented. We continue to hold the health and well-being of our residents and staff as our highest priority.

If you have questions regarding our COVID-19 Operational Standards, please contact our Executive Director at 304-292.0101.

April 2020: As our nation faces one of the most difficult times in recent history, Bartlett Housing Solutions is taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both our residents and our staff. As of March 16, 2020, both of our facilities are on lockdown. All clients are told to shelter in place. Staff efforts are focused on providing 24-hour coverage at both facilities as well as coordinating food and supplies to bring in to our clients. Provisions have also been made to go out and pick up needed items, including medications for our clients.

In addition, the additional operational changes have been implemented:

A Quarantine Room has been established at each facility in case we have sick clients.
Private Facebook pages have been set up for our team and our clients to ensure timely and effective communication.
Daily communication with local government and medical professionals is occurring.
We are requiring masks and social distancing, but are accepting referrals.
Meals are provided in-room at Nitor Suits.

At this time, we cannot allow clients to leave the facilities and return. If clients leave, they will not be permitted to return. Similarly, we cannot take any new clients at the shelter at this time. Please understand that these difficult decisions were made to ensure the health and safety of everyone.

Do you need immediate help now?

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