4 days ago
Advocates call for state action to address the western Massachusetts Homelessness Crisis
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – Housing instability and homelessness is on the rise in western Massachusetts.
'I fell in urine, cracked two ribs, my rent was out of the roof, I'm on disability, new owners bought the building, raised my rent by $50 more, so I had to move,' said Bennita Watford, a housing advocate from Springfield.
'There are a lot of issues when it comes to the grown market in job creation, mental health crisis, or the lack of work, or rising costs,' said Senator Adam Gomez.
The Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness has laid out its legislative priorities for the upcoming session. Their focus is to keep people inside their homes and off the streets.
According to the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, 3,560 people experience homelessness in this part of the region.
Since 2021, rent rose 32. 5% in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties, and 39.7% in Berkshire County. Eviction filings rose 66% between 2022 and 2024.
This is the reason why 58-year-old Bennita Watford moved away to live with her family in Pittsfield.
'It's good, but who wants to depend on their children. That's the part that hurts me more,' said Watford.
Hundreds of tenants, renters, state and local leaders came together on Friday for the 9th Annual Gathering of the Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness. They want to change each other's pain into power.
The network is seeking legislative action on 12 bills to help increase housing stability. 'Like my rent stabilization bill. I think we have to look towards the realization that individuals are struggling to pay their rent, and individuals who are not only working one job, but two or three jobs,' said Gomez.
Other bills are looking to give tenants the opportunity to purchase their housing before being sold to an investment company, and enact a real estate transfer fee on the highest-selling homes to fund more affordable housing.
You can join this fight at
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