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State says Boston should do more to address issues at 'Mass. and Cass'

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The state is defending its level of support to the city of Boston in addressing issues in the area of the city known as "Mass. and Cass" after Boston Mayor Michelle Wu publicly asked the state for more help.

In a sharply worded letter sent to Wu on Wednesday, the state's Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders highlighted the $40 million the state provided for low-threshold housing and clinical treatment, among other interventions, and said that the city needs to do more. The letter suggests that Boston pursue criminal investigations and community policing efforts.

"The Administration has been and continues to be a very willing partner in this crisis," Sudders' letter said, "but at this point more work must be done by the City of Boston, including leveraging the $5M of the $18M anticipated in opioid settlement funds to build trust and help people receive the housing, care and support to find the pathway to recovery."

Sudders wrote the administration is surprised by Wu's comments at a press conference and on WBUR's Radio Boston on Monday that the city is seeking a partnership with the state. Sudders' letter said the city "disbanded its regular coordinating meeting" with the state last month.

In her recent comments, Wu asked the state to create 1,000 more units of what is known as "low threshold housing" outside of Boston. "Low threshold housing" programs provide housing, case management and services for those who may not be eligible for homeless shelters because of mental health or addiction issues.

Wu also touted the city's creation of 200 housing units since January, when the city removed a large tent encampment from the "Mass. and Cass" area. Sudders' letter said almost half of those units were funded by the state — and there are plans for 800 more state-funded housing units.

She urged the mayor to help the Baker administration advocate for legislative approval for $20 million for regional low threshold housing.

For now, Wu's office said in a statement Wednesday evening the city "continues to serve a flow" of people from outside the city, with more than 150 people frequenting the "Mass. and Cass" area already on its housing wait list.

The mayor said in the statement that a "true statewide approach" is needed to address the crisis.

"The City and state have both invested significant time and money, but the individuals on our waitlist need us to take shared ownership of the regional and statewide challenge that exists today," the statement said. "We look forward to being the strongest partner now and in the next chapter of state leadership taking this on and scaling up what we have seen works and saves lives."

This article was originally published on October 26, 2022.

This segment aired on October 26, 2022.

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Deborah Becker Host/Reporter
Deborah Becker is a senior correspondent and host at WBUR. Her reporting focuses on mental health, criminal justice and education.

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