In a recent government meeting, advocates for unhoused communities in Cambridge and Boston voiced urgent concerns regarding the city's approach to homelessness and substance use. Cassie Heard, director of the Material Aid and Advocacy Program (MAPP), highlighted the critical role of grassroots organizations in providing support and resources to vulnerable populations, emphasizing the need for transparency and collaboration from city officials.

Heard criticized the city’s ongoing encampment sweeps and the use of central booking as tools for criminalization rather than solutions to homelessness. She argued that these actions exacerbate the struggles of unhoused individuals, who are often forced to relocate under the threat of arrest, leading to further disconnection from essential services and support networks. The advocates contend that the city’s policies, which have evolved over multiple administrations, reflect a systemic failure rooted in inequality and racism.

The meeting also addressed the impact of recent policies, including the closure of engagement centers and the shift away from harm reduction strategies, such as needle buyback programs. Heard pointed out that these changes have resulted in increased risks for overdose deaths and a decline in access to healthcare services, particularly for those living with HIV.

Heard and other panelists called for a reevaluation of the city’s strategies, advocating for low-barrier permanent housing, expanded healthcare services, and community-led solutions that prioritize the needs of those directly affected. They stressed that effective support for unhoused individuals must be grounded in dignity and respect, rather than coercion and criminalization.

The meeting underscored a growing tension between city policies and the realities faced by unhoused communities, with advocates urging city officials to listen to the voices of those they serve and to adopt more compassionate and effective approaches to addressing homelessness and substance use.