05-02-2025
Coalition for Homeless Individuals holds briefing at State House
BOSTON (WWLP) – The Coalition for Homeless Individuals held a briefing on Tuesday, highlighting the challenges facing homeless people in Massachusetts and identifying potential solutions.
Massachusetts is experiencing an 11% to 25% increase in homeless shelter demand for families and individuals, and with funding running dry for the emergency housing program, providers are advocating for the state to step in.
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One challenge these providers face is combating stereotypes about homelessness.
'We work with really beautiful individuals. They come in our doors, they want to be a part of their own solution,' said Aaryn Manning, the executive director of Project Place.
While homelessness in Massachusetts remains lower than the national average both for veterans and for civilian populations, providers are facing challenges stemming from the housed population. Most residents support ending homelessness, but many do not want a homeless shelter in their town.
'We face great NIMBYism, 'not in my backyard,' when we're trying to end homelessness,' said John Yazwinski, the President and CEO of Father Bill's and MainSpring.
One shelter director says we already have the tools we need to permanently end homelessness in Massachusetts, such as the shelter system, medical care organizations for homeless individuals, and job training programs.
'It works! This approach works! We don't need to figure out how to end homelessness. We need to resource it,' said President and CEO of St. Francis House of Karen LaFrazia.
The providers say the emergency shelter system is a crucial starting point to getting individuals and families the resources they need to work and live independently.
The coalition encouraged legislators at the briefing to fund homeless shelters and other resources in the upcoming 2026 budget.
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