Thank you for your active concern and efforts on behalf of and in concert with those of us who are currently serving people experiencing homelessness. I appreciate meaningful conversations about matters that affect the number of individuals and families who can find themselves homeless in our community. Whether it's the imperative to fund the state's Housing Trust Fund, the careful consideration required by proposed legislation that would criminalize panhandling, a neighborhood's decision to accept or reject a transitional shelter within its boundaries, or an individual sharing a meal with another in need, there are choices in front of us - as a state, as a community and as individuals - that have myriad consequences.
I want to thank the Board of Directors for their efforts to challenge this non-profit and support its work as a Continuum of Care in the River Region. A belated welcome to Bernard Houston (of the Alabama Department of Human Resources) as the newest member of the MACH Board.
On Tuesday, April 25, from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m., MACH will be leading a discussion of funding opportunities for nonprofits that wish to provide or expanding homelessness resources. This announcement was shared last week through a separate mailing and is also listed below.
Best regards, Lydia C. Pickett
MACH Announcements
What: Attend an informational meeting on funding opportunities for institutions serving the homeless population: ADECA ESG, Montgomery Thrive, HUD CoC, and HUD Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program When: Tuesday, April 25, 2023
9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Where: Online - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82792928070?pwd=QUhLS0wybjBmNlErdXBWVkZURHdxUT09 Who is invited: All who are interested! Shelter and housing providers, volunteers, state and governmental agencies, community leaders, MACH members, nonprofit representatives, business owners, and all others are welcome to attend!
Shortage of Affordable Rentals in Alabama:
Awareness and Advocacy are Needed
The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines housing affordability as a household that pays no more than 30% of its annual income on housing. Those who pay more than that are considered "cost-burdened." The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) has developed a profile of cost-burdened rental households in Alabama, saying "severely cost burdened poor households are more likely than other renters to sacrifice other necessities like healthy food and healthcare to pay the rent, and to experience unstable housing situations like evictions."
Rentalandmortgage assistance programs available during the Covid-19 health emergency are depleted. Inflation, a dwindling quantity of low-income housing, and a market that favors property-owners has caused local rents to increase.
The cost of rent can be mitigated through tenant-based rental assistance, such as Section 8 vouchers, when available and rent subsidies as dwellings developed with Low Income Housing Tax Credits or HOME Funds. Demand for this assistance far exceeds its availability in the River Region.
The State of Alabama Consolidated Plans outline Alabama's affordable housing and community development needs. The Alabama Housing Finance Authority submits an action plan for the HOME Investment Partnerships program and the AHFA National Housing Trust Fund program. The City of Montgomery was recently awarded HOME Investment Partnership Act - American Rescue Plan funding in order to respond to the great need for affordable housing. Still under review by HUD and subject to change, the City's allocation is provisionally set to be used to build six units by the end of 2025.
The Low Income Housing Coalition of Alabama is a state level initiative of an organization called Collaborative Solutions. To learn more about their work to "address the housing crisis and increase housing opportunities for Alabamians with the greatest financial need."
Another statewide advocacy group with a focus on the housing needs of cost-burdened Alabamians is Alabama Arise. Alabama Arise - a member organization of MACH - welcome all to join in this work.
Julie Waters of Mental Health America in Montgomery spoke at the April Resource Hour on that organization's "Be OK" Handbook. Created during the Covid19 pandemic in response to the stresses of that health emergency, the "Be OK" Handbook is being adapted to stressful reality of working on the frontline of social services.
The following mental health resources were highlighted:
A Mental Health Screening on the Mental Health America website
Connect Alabama App - a behavioral health services and treatment finder application, provides individuals instant access to education, information and services related to substance use, mental health, and prevention.
211 - a 24/7 operator that facilitates access to local services
The Lions Club conducts vision testing at 2022 River Region Connects
Mark Your Calendars for River Region Connects 2023:
One-Stop Resource Event
On Wednesday, August 16, River Region Connects will be held at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This event provides an opportunity for individuals and families experiencing homelessness to connect with multiple state and local services under one roof. River Region Connects relies on volunteers who provide navigation and data collection assistance in collaboration with the event participants. If you represent an agency that would like to offer services at this event or if you would like to volunteer, contact[email protected].
MACH General Membership
Thursday, April 27, 2023
3pm - 4pm
at the Family Sunshine Center's Administrative Offices,
858 S. Court Street, Montgomery, Alabama,
and online atbit.ly/MACH-GENERAL
Agenda and Minutes of last meeting to be emailed and
made available on MACH's website.
In-Kind Donation Spotlights
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has been feeding people in need in 2023!
On the left, Mya Averett, Brittany Jackson and Dextrina Ryan delivered fresh sack lunches as a Founder's Day project to drop-ins at MACH and to Montgomery Pride United's lunch service effort. On the right, Cheryl Newton and Ferlisa Dotson represent the Montgomery alumnae chapter that donated over $1,000 in shelf-stable snack donations to MACH.
Community and corporate organizations set intention to share warmth.
On the left, David Peden led an effort among Retirement Systems of Alabama employees to purchase new hoodies and other cold-weather wear. On the right, Emil Johnson led the Sunset Rotary in a sock drive. These goods were shared with homeless persons during MACH's Point-in-Time Count in January, as well as with MACH member agencies.
MACH is working with the City of Montgomery to provide support to agencies that are helping people who are experiencing homelessness, imminent homelessness, or housing instability get back on their feet. When you feed a meter in downtown Montgomery, you are providing supports for the outreach services at MACH.
One-year meter sponsorship is $2,000.00.
Sponsors receive:
• Placard bearing your name / organization’s name on the meter;
• Your name or logo on the website, feedthemetermgm.org;
• Recognition in all Feed the Meter publicity;
• The satisfaction of knowing that you play an essential part in addressing a significant issue that calls for community-wide support.
Mail your payment to the address above or become a sponsor online at feedthemetermgm.org.
Questions? Call or email MACH at (334) 261-6182 or [email protected].
MACH Member Announcements
April is Fair Housing Month - a time to reflect on steps taken to eliminate housing discrimination, and to continue the fight for equal housing rights and eligibilities for all. From the Central Alabama Fair Housing Center's website.
History of the 1968 Fair Housing Act: https://youtu.be/0EKo5rBBzpI
Brother, You’re On My Mind: a toolkit put together by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity to promote mental health for Black men.
Mental Health First Aid
Montgomery Baptist Ministries Coordinates
Service Day "Pop-ups"
In addition to weekly coordinated homelessness services at Love Loud Montgomery, Montgomery Baptist Ministries is coordinating bi-monthly service efforts at different locations in Montgomery. Their March 11th event at the intersection of Carmichael and Eastern Blvd. drew nearly 200 people for a hot meal and dessert made by the Church of the Highlands, King's Table Catering and Dreamland BBQ. All 200 participants were provided groceries and nearly 20 haircuts were provided. SNAP Food Stamp Assistance was offered by MACH and Hope Inspired Ministries enrolled people on site. The next event will be in May near the intersection of Ann Street and I-85. Want to help? Call Love Loud Montgomery at (334) 269-5726 or email [email protected].
A transformation at the Homeless Depot's Panhandler's Resource Fair. Photos by Patrick Aitken.
Or renew your membership before the end of the fiscal year!
Membership with MACH provides local support for efforts that leverage federal funds for housing assistance and outreach in the River Region. Your membership supports local planning efforts, resource development, and program operations to benefit unhoused and unstably housed members of our community.
Organizational MACH Members as of April 1, 2023 October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 Fiscal Year
Alabama State Department of Education
Agape of Central Alabama
Aid to Inmate Mothers
Alabama Arise
Aletheia House, Inc.
Bisbee & Associates, LLC
Brantwood Children’s Home
Carastar Health
Catholic Social Services
Central AL Fair Housing Center, Inc.
Council on Substance Abuse-NCADD
Embrace Alabama Kids: Mary Ellen’s Hearth
Family Guidance Center of Alabama
Family Sunshine Center
First United Methodist Church
Five Horizons
Friendship Mission
Gathered By Grace
HandsOn River Region
Health Services, Inc.
H. O. P. E., Inc.
Hope Inspired Ministries
ICrave Fellowship Church
Independent Rights & Resources
Jesus Cares Thrift Shop
Love Loud Montgomery
Masterpiece, Inc.
Mental Health America of Montgomery
Mercy House
Montgomery Community Action
Montgomery Housing Authority
Montgomery Police Department
Montgomery Pride United
MST CPAs & Advisors
Pam’s Open Arms
Paul Outreach Services
PEERS Caring Home for Veterans
Powell Homeless Shelter
Priority Veteran
Quiet Storm Outreach Group
Reality and Truth Ministries
Resurrection Catholic Church and Missions
Renascence, Inc.
Jacqueline Rushin
St. Peter AME Church
Southern Poverty Law Center
Successful Living Center, Inc.
Sweetpea Homes
Vision of Grace Transition Home
The Wellness Coalition
Word of Faith Christian Baptist Church – Project Noah
Individual MACH Members as of April 1, 2023 October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 Fiscal Year
Breonna Alexander
Muaath Al-Khattab
Yolanda Allen
Craig Baab*
Bettye J. & Milton E. Belcher
Paris Bell
Sheralyn Belyeu
Cynthia Bisbee*
Candy Capel
Tiffany Chaney
Tasha Cooper*
Anne Diprizio
James Dupree, Jr.*
Sabrina Furlow
Bernard Houston*
Shanta Hubbard
Natasha Jackson
Tenesia Jones
Sophie S. Kim
Acquanetta Knight*
Eileen Knott
Sophia Lewis
Jim McCusker
Marianne McLeod
Jerome T. McReynolds
Debra Moncrief
Linda Morton
Kashonda Murphy
Jacqueline Navidad
Sandra Nickel
Lydia Pickett*
Jessica Platt
Ophelia Riley
Charlene Roberson
Sherri Ross
Alvin Rowell
Susan Schaefer
Timikel B. Sharpe
Mila Stevens
Kyle Storey
Henry Stough
Doug Suddath
Jack Taylor
Helen J. Thompson
Robert Tigue
Julie Waters
Crystalyn Winfield
*Board Member
Connecting People to Resources and Services: Dial 2-1-1
Dialing 2-1-1 allows for an initial screening of needs and referral to housing services and all types of other community resources. If you or someone you know needs to help, the search for answers should always start by dialing 2-1-1.
a transitional shelter within its boundaries, or an individual sharing a meal with another in need, there are choices in front of us - as a state, as a community and as individuals - that have myriad consequences. 
