The city has reached the deadline to clear the homeless encampment in the troubled area of Boston often called Mass and Cass.The location near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard is an epicenter of the city’s struggle with homelessness and the opioid crisis.As of this week, 83 people have been relocated to temporary housing, but there are still 62 residents who haven’t moved out of the area.Boston Mayor Michelle Wu set Wednesday as the deadline to find housing for each person at the encampment, with the goal of removing all the tents. “I won’t say it’s a good thing that they’re going to clear the tents out. Good thing if they’re going to put them somewhere that’s feasible to be and not go from one place to another place or from one shelter to another shelter,” said Norris Cowart.Bulldozers were used to remove some of the tents from the area Wednesday late morning.Wu said this week that some of the tents are so large and fortified that they may not be all gone by Wednesday, but the city is focused on getting people into warm and safe housing as soon as possible.The city has posted flyers on these tents informing residents of the deadline. Officials have also increased outreach this week to inform people about their housing options.Another man who has been living in the area since the spring said he’s frustrated he’s being forced to relocate, however he said if they city offers him housing, he will take it.“I don’t feel good. I know there are going to be a lot of people fighting for their lives,” the man said.Police are part of the effort, but the mayor said they are looking to avoid criminalizing any part of the relocation process.”We will stay focused on housing and public health, and Boston police will continue to provide support ensuring it is a safe environment for all,” Wu said. “It is impossible to be fully safe and healthy living in a tent in winter in Boston.” In the last month the mayor’s team created a new resource for the city called low threshold shelters, where residents don’t get kicked out for relapsing.More than 150 units are now available in shelters across the city as well as new Shattuck cottages — 10 of which are already occupied in Jamaica Plain. The plan to help people move into for medium and long-term housing with health care and treatment is still in progress.
BOSTON —
The city has reached the deadline to clear the homeless encampment in the troubled area of Boston often called Mass and Cass.
The location near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard is an epicenter of the city’s struggle with homelessness and the opioid crisis.
As of this week, 83 people have been relocated to temporary housing, but there are still 62 residents who haven’t moved out of the area.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu set Wednesday as the deadline to find housing for each person at the encampment, with the goal of removing all the tents.
“I won’t say it’s a good thing that they’re going to clear the tents out. Good thing if they’re going to put them somewhere that’s feasible to be and not go from one place to another place or from one shelter to another shelter,” said Norris Cowart.
Bulldozers were used to remove some of the tents from the area Wednesday late morning.
Wu said this week that some of the tents are so large and fortified that they may not be all gone by Wednesday, but the city is focused on getting people into warm and safe housing as soon as possible.
The city has posted flyers on these tents informing residents of the deadline. Officials have also increased outreach this week to inform people about their housing options.
Another man who has been living in the area since the spring said he’s frustrated he’s being forced to relocate, however he said if they city offers him housing, he will take it.
“I don’t feel good. I know there are going to be a lot of people fighting for their lives,” the man said.
Police are part of the effort, but the mayor said they are looking to avoid criminalizing any part of the relocation process.
“We will stay focused on housing and public health, and Boston police will continue to provide support ensuring it is a safe environment for all,” Wu said. “It is impossible to be fully safe and healthy living in a tent in winter in Boston.”
In the last month the mayor’s team created a new resource for the city called low threshold shelters, where residents don’t get kicked out for relapsing.
More than 150 units are now available in shelters across the city as well as new Shattuck cottages — 10 of which are already occupied in Jamaica Plain.
The plan to help people move into for medium and long-term housing with health care and treatment is still in progress.