Mayor Wu Unveils Plans For Humanitarian Crisis At Mass And Cass

BOSTON — Mayor Michelle Wu announced a new "Warm Weather Plan" Tuesday to address homelessness at Mass and Cass, an area near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard.

Mass and Cass, also called "Methadone Mile," was once home to a massive tent encampment. As many as 140 people had been living in the area before the last of the tents were cleared out in January.

Mayor Wu's 11-point plan aims to prevent further encampments from forming in the area while also improving public safety, health and cleanliness.

“The goal here is really to meet people where they are, and understand the root causes of the challenges we’re seeing,” Wu said in a press conference.

Warmer weather will likely mean more people heading to Mass and Cass, but Wu hopes providing social services elsewhere across the city will have fewer people flocking to the area.

The Boston Public Health Commission's day engagement center on Atkinson Street provides a range of services for people who need it, from health care and substance use treatment to an air-conditioned space off the streets. It's the only government-funded facility of its kind in Boston, but the new plan will open two more spaces this summer in other neighborhoods.

The city will also add even more supportive services to their 6 low-threshold housing sites, giving the more than 180 residents at the shelters access to primary and mental health care, as well as a housing navigator.

“Boston is creating a continuum of care for individuals experiencing homelessness and substance use disorder with pathways from living on the streets to permanent housing," Mayor Wu said.

The new plan also includes enhanced graffiti removal and funding for the 2022 Paintbox Program, a community art project to beautify Boston's utility boxes.

More on Patch

• Two Bodies Found During Mass And Cass Cleanup
• 'General Cleanup' Organized For Boston's 'Methadone Mile' Starts
• Boston Police Crack Down On Human Trafficking On Methadone Mile
• Janey Declares Public Health Crisis For Addiction & Homelessness