Lowell Connector

The Coordinated Outreach and Engagement Team (COET) brings together various providers in the city who have an interest in engaging with individuals in the community who are experiencing street homelessness. This includes individuals who are living and sleeping in areas not meant for human habitation, as well as individuals who may sometimes access shelters and day programs.  

The COET will plan to go out on a weekly basis in teams of 3-4 providers to engage with individuals who are living in camps or spending the day in public locations. The teams use a client-focused, trauma informed approach to engaging with people.  If you are aware of an area, or of an individual or group that appears to be in need of resources, please send an email to the Director of Homelessness Initiatives.

If someone appears to be in immediate distress, please call 911. 

Lowell Connector By-Name List 

The Lowell Connector (“Connector”) will create a by-name list of individuals experiencing homelessness, and create a structure for engagement, case management and a housing pathway.  Names for the Connector will be submitted from the various partner agencies, and reviewed for duplication.  Clients will be identified by their initials until the Connector release has been signed. Once signed, the client can be identified by name, and recommended to various housing options as they become available.

The City of Lowell has merged with the Balance of State (BoS) Continuum of Care, giving any resident of the city access to the BoS screening and housing prioritization list. If you or someone you know is homeless and looking for housing, please visit state's continuum of care website and scroll to “How Can CoC Resources Be Accessed?”

 Memorandum of Understanding  

The following organizations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreeing to participate and support the work of the COET and the Connector in some capacity:

• Clear Path for Veterans
• Community Teamwork Incorporated
• Department of Mental Health
• Eliot Community Human Services
• Greater Lowell Health Alliance
• Life Connections
• Living Waters
• Lowell Community Opiod Outreach Program (CO-OP)
• Lowell Council on Aging
• Lowell Fire Department
• Lowell General Hospital
• Lowell Health Department
• Lowell Housing Authority
• Lowell Police Department
• South Middlesex Opportunity Council and Lowell Transitional Living Center
• Trinity EMS
• THRIVE
• US Department of Veterans Affairs
• Vinfen

How Can I Help 

We encourage citizen engagement and participation in supporting our neighbors in need. Here are a few ways that you can help:

• Donate to area shelters, like Lowell Transitional Living Center, Alternative House, or House of Hope.
• Donate to local providers like Community Teamwork Inc, the Lowell House, or the United Teen Equality Center
• Offer to prepare a meal at St Paul’s Soup Kitchen, Living Waters, or Life Connection
• Donate Clothes or household goods to Goodwill, The Wish Project or St. Vincent de Paul
• Support community partners like the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Catholic Charities, or Greater Lowell Community Foundation.

While we appreciate the desire to help, we encourage individuals and organizations to coordinate with existing service providers to help meet the needs of individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness.  If you are unsure where your time and talent can best be used, please contact the Director of Homelessness Initiatives for suggestions.