To: Karen Carter, Gus Foote, Andrew C Nicklas, Barbara Snare, Dorothy M. Martins, David Houlden, Alice Sheridan, Sharon Fortado , Mary John Boylan, Kathleen Erkkila, Jodi Wall, Maureen Dexter, Danielle Doody , Claudia Haskell , Valerie Cook,...
Housing for Ian McColl Today
Ian McColl, a key figure in Gloucester's arts scene, has become homeless and needs housing NOW.
Why is this important?
It has come to the attention of the Cape Ann Performing Arts Community that Mr. Ian McColl, former Director at the Gloucester Stage Company, The West End Theater, Co-Producer of Gloucester Chicken Shack, Producer of Family Theater, Scrooge, etc. - has become homeless. He finds occasional respite in friends homes. He has been living on the street since May 2015. He is homeless by no fault of his own.
The following is confirmed through discussion with Mr. McColl, the GHA, and Action Inc. Mr. McColl is a 63-year-old, former home owner in East Gloucester. A series of difficult personal losses have been compounded by the natural effects of alcohol dependency. He lived on Chestnut Street in a lodging home run by Wellspring, subsidized by GHA, for three years. There were no official requirements of any kind attached to his occupancy other than that no alcohol be on premises. November 2014 he was informed by the house manager that in January 2015 Wellspring would not renew his lease. There are no known official violations, broken rules nor outstanding rent of any kind. They had arranged for him to go to a 60 day Detoxification Program. They had no legal right to require him to do this. This left Mr. McColl with no options for housing, no income, not yet receiving social security income. He was advised by two attorneys to remain in his room. This led Wellspring to take action to move him. He was granted the right to remain until May 2015.
In December of 2014, he filled out the application for an apartment through Gloucester Housing. There is an expected wait time of approx 18 months. He needs housing now.
Once Mr. McColl is settled into his own apartment he will likely be a wonderful, entertaining addition to the community. He will be honest, thoughtful, helpful and kind, will help the more elderly and volunteer at the meal sites. Correspondence and communication may be mailed to Mr. McColl c/o 84 Prospect Street, Gloucester, MA. You may call Mr. McColl at 978 873 1688.
The following is confirmed through discussion with Mr. McColl, the GHA, and Action Inc. Mr. McColl is a 63-year-old, former home owner in East Gloucester. A series of difficult personal losses have been compounded by the natural effects of alcohol dependency. He lived on Chestnut Street in a lodging home run by Wellspring, subsidized by GHA, for three years. There were no official requirements of any kind attached to his occupancy other than that no alcohol be on premises. November 2014 he was informed by the house manager that in January 2015 Wellspring would not renew his lease. There are no known official violations, broken rules nor outstanding rent of any kind. They had arranged for him to go to a 60 day Detoxification Program. They had no legal right to require him to do this. This left Mr. McColl with no options for housing, no income, not yet receiving social security income. He was advised by two attorneys to remain in his room. This led Wellspring to take action to move him. He was granted the right to remain until May 2015.
In December of 2014, he filled out the application for an apartment through Gloucester Housing. There is an expected wait time of approx 18 months. He needs housing now.
Once Mr. McColl is settled into his own apartment he will likely be a wonderful, entertaining addition to the community. He will be honest, thoughtful, helpful and kind, will help the more elderly and volunteer at the meal sites. Correspondence and communication may be mailed to Mr. McColl c/o 84 Prospect Street, Gloucester, MA. You may call Mr. McColl at 978 873 1688.