Youth Housing Project First Parish Cambridge Helping young

Youth Housing Project First Parish Cambridge

Helping young homeless people Two programs: n n Youth Housing Initiative, Phillips Brooks House Association, Harvard Youth on Fire, AIDS Action Committee Many homeless youth are LGBTQ Project fits with our mission

What it is PBHA will renovate our auditorium to be used as an overnight homeless shelter Youth on Fire will utilize the space during the day for their multi-service program

Benefits to First Parish A project aligned with our mission and in service to the community “Taking back” the auditorium for our use would require renovations Renovations will be done by PBHA We will be able use the auditorium every Saturday and Sunday during the day

Renovation Modern, usable, and architecturally pleasing space n n n Upgrades to the plumbing, heating and electrical systems New commercial kitchen with all new appliances New bathrooms and showers Estimated cost of $900, 000, will be paid for completely by PBHA

Draft designs Subject to change as of now FP members working with design team and our HVAC engineers on integration and upgrades

Setup during use by Y. O. F.

Setup during FP use – 146 seats

Hours of operation PBHA will operate the homeless shelter at night (6 PM to 9 AM) seven days a week from October through April. Youth on Fire will operate the day services component on weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM year round. First Parish will be able to use the renovated auditorium: n n Every Saturday and Sunday daytime year round Every evening May through September

Security PBHA will maintain security when occupying the premises Access to other parts of the building will be restricted No smoking, no drugs or alcohol

Income Rent will be same as that we now receive from ART Separate utilities for the first time and will be paid by tenant up to $20, 000 per year and adjusted each year

What is required of us No longer host the holiday Craft Fair – loss of $14, 700 per year income Provide a liaison to the new tenants at approximate cost of $10, 000 per year Initiate a fund-raising group to assist in fund-raising for the project (Goal of $200, 000 over 3 years)

Potential Cost Mitigation to Budget Impact Loss of $14, 700 per year income n n n Potential for additional rental income – PBHA is willing to direct Harvard rentals our way and knows of some already Potential for overnight/retreat rental in the summer Recover some utility cost from current ART arrangement Provide a liaison for ~$10, 000 per year n n Cost is in time, not necessarily actual expenditures, therefore could be resolved by changing current staff duties Could add staff, but again in less expensive areas (e. g. cleaning, bookkeeping) freeing up staff time for this duty

Can First Parish Afford This? Last year we ran a budget deficit of $23, 500 This year we are projecting budget surplus of $53, 000 This difference is due to the loss of our Associate Minister, significant pledge increases, and growth in the endowment Additional cost mitigation opportunities exist Due to the improved budget position, FP can fund the YHI as well as rebuilding reserves and hiring additional staff HOWEVER: this will NOT be zero cost, and funding to those other areas will be impacted slightly if we choose to support the YHI Ultimately, this is a decision about mission and priorities, not about finances

Thanks to Volunteers With the Standing Committee, many skilled volunteers have been working on this project over the past year, including members of the Building and Grounds, Sustainability, Finance and Investment committees. In particular, Sylvia Wheeler, Mike Wiggins, Joe O’Farrell and Cade Murray have spent many hours working on documents and in meetings with PBHA.

More information Youth Housing Initiative (PBHA) n http: //hshsyouth. org/ Harvard Square Homeless Shelter n http: //www. hcs. harvard. edu/hshs/ Youth on Fire, AIDS Action Committee n http: //www. aac. org/about/our-work/youthon-fire. html