NANN—Neighbors Advocating for Neighbors In Need: we are a community based group of neighbors who want the BEST, NOT ONLY FOR our Neighbors In Need, BUT ALSO FOR residents, business owners and customers, and for everyone who comes to Hyannis to enjoy its beauty.
Please note we are not directly affiliated with any other community group or social media account. We appreciate supportive voices, but please note all NANN info is in this site only.
Our highest priority is our NEIGHBORS IN NEED, those men and women who are without homes. Anyone who says otherwise about us is using a smear tactic to avoid the truth about the current failing system of “care” that should not be anywhere in our community—not on West Main Street, and NOT ON WINTER STREET.
Members of NANN were having conversations with Catholic Charities, the agency that operates the current shelter on Winter Street, and who are proposing to move this failing program to West Main Street. Rick Brigham, who worked at the Winter Street shelter for 27 years, talked about how to improve the program, suggesting approaches that would better serve the Neighbors In Need, and better protect the surrounding community, but when it was time to create a “Good Neighbor Agreement” talks stalled.
Please note that Housing Assistance Corporation is only the landlord, although they are working closely with Catholic Charities, and they seem to be speaking for Catholic Charities, sharing information that often raises questions.
When talks with Catholic Charities stalled, and when the building permit was granted by the Building Commissioner, to relocate the shelter to West Main Street, in contradiction to the opinion of the Town Attorney, bypassing local zoning laws by using a religious exemption, we of NANN, and many others in the community, started asking questions. Rick, while working at the shelter, because of state funding, could not speak of his faith. How are they now claiming a religious exemption? Why would the state be funding this?
It became clear that we had to take steps to intervene for the sake of all neighbors.
We filed an appeal with the Zoning Board of Appeals to reverse the building permit. The hearing was scheduled for July 22 at Barnstable High School.
There also seemed to be questions about the involvement in this process within the town government, and so we petitioned to have an OPEN MEETING OF THE VOTERS. We were able to obtain nearly 700 signatures, well over the number needed for this. Many of our neighbors want to know what’s going on. The time and place for this meeting are being negotiated. Sign up below to receive email updates, to know when and where we will meet. We plan to expose all questions and insist on truthful answers.
We neighbors have many questions. The information, questions and solutions that have been collected are in the pages below. Select a topic, click on the link to open the page, take your time, let us know if we have wrong information, or if you would add information, and or if you have questions, and if you know of other solutions. Let us know in the “Stay Informed” section at the bottom of this page.
NANN plans to stay involved with this until homelessness in Hyannis is resolved.
Please join us by staying informed, by signing up below, and by letting family, friends and associates know.
Our Neighbors In Need deserve the best care. All of us deserve a safe and orderly community.
All of us, neighbors together, want answers to the following questions: