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COVID taking toll on providers' ability to help the homeless

Eileen Qiu
Boston University Statehouse Program

BOSTON — Wintertime usually signals the holiday season filled with gifts, laughter and joy against a snowy background, but for over the 18,000 homeless people in Massachusetts, winter is a time of struggling to survive with new challenges brought by the pandemic.

Data from the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless states there were around 3,000 families in the Massachusetts Emergency Assistance Shelter program in 2020.

Shelters around the greater Boston area are trying their best to keep up with the demand for a safe and warm place.

Michael Cochran is the director of the Cambridge Warming Center. First opened in April, the center serves around 30 people a day, about half of what the space used to hold before COVID, Cochran said. The beds are first-come, first-served, but they’ll do their best to accommodate all visitors and collaborate with other shelters around the area to find people space. Guests have access to hot meals, beverages and showers.

“There are a myriad of challenges brought on by COVID,” Cochran said. “It’s affecting donations, the amount of people we can serve, and testing is a concern."

If they find out someone is COVID positive, then the institution shuts down admission for a few days, further limiting resources and the amount of people able to seek help.

The center’s clients are all struggling with something different, and men, women and couples are able to go to the warming center for shelter, Cochran said. Families are moved to different programs and kept together.

The warming center will be kept open until April 15.

The Pine Street Inn is another shelter in Boston. Barbara Trevisan, the vice president of marketing and communications said their outreach teams go out every day and night of the year by van and on foot to look for people who may need help.

The outreach counselors provide food, warm beverages, blankets and clothing to the individuals who choose to stay outside.

The goal is to build trust with these individuals and move them from the streets into housing, Cochran said.

Their organization supports around 2,000 women and men daily. However, like the Cambridge Warming Center, COVID limits the amount of people they can assist and brings difficult challenges.

Because of an early COVID positive rate 36% due to a crowded shelter, Trevisan said the Inn leased a hotel and moved 200 guests there for social distancing. They’ve implemented deep and hand washing stations and require all guests and staff to wear masks. As a result, the COVID positive rate is around 2%. Trevisan said that there is joy in seeing people get housing and jobs from their program, but it’s hard to see people suffering in the shelter or on the street with so few options in life.

Luckily, the Pine Street Inn hasn’t had to turn anyone away this winter, Trevisan said. Their staff are doing their best to maintain social distancing, and the City of Boston has brought additional beds for the winter.

However, all the new protocols have added significant cost increases to their operations.

Funding for the Pine Street Inn comes from a combination of city, state and federal funding along with donations from various corporations and individuals.

The fiscal year 2021 budget signed into law in December includes over $185 million for Emergency Assistance Family Shelters (EA) for families in immediate need of shelter. The budget also continues to include language that protects families from having to stay in a place not meant for human habitation prior to receiving services.

The Legislator recognizes the continuing need for service across the state, especially as the pandemic continues, said Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues, D- Westport.

 “The Senate recognizes that protecting the health and safety of those experiencing homelessness, as well as prioritizing housing stability for residents of the commonwealth, is a critical component to ensuring an equitable COVID-19 recovery for all,” he said, adding supporting those experiencing homelessness and housing instability will remain an important part of securing the state's economic recovery and COVID-19 resilience, and that will be reflected in fiscal 2020 budget deliberations.

Those in need of emergency assistance can call 866-584-0653.