Nonprofits press for housing authority, regional partnerships and case-management funding

Multiple nonprofit representatives and the HMIS administrator urged the committee to consider a structural approach: use a housing authority and stronger city–nonprofit partnerships to access federal funding and deliver permanent supportive housing. "Winchester could establish its own housing authority to increase the allocation of HCBS that you get here locally," Caitlin Keepall said, describing the tool as the single best way to expand deeply subsidized housing and supportive services.

Nonprofit speakers said the community has formed a non‑profit collaborative and highlighted case management as a high-impact expense that often lacks stable funding. One speaker summarized: "strong case management support" is the difference-maker because people experiencing homelessness frequently face multiple, compounding needs. Committee members asked for a concrete financial ask to present to Common Council; a motion to forward the presentation to the full council for briefing and budget consideration passed unanimously.