Coordinated Response Team
Working to better serve unsheltered neighbors experiencing substance use disorder centered in the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard, also known as ‘Mass and Cass’.
In recent years, the opioid epidemic, the housing crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to an increase in those experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Mass and Cass.
To address these intersecting crises in January 2022, under Mayor Wu’s leadership, the City carried out a public health-led emergency response to the encampments in the area including introducing a housing surge and helping over 145 unhoused neighbors transition into low threshold housing.
Currently, the City’s Coordinated Response Team (CRT) is working with twelve City agencies and departments to continue to transform how the City of Boston cares for its unhoused neighbors that are impacted by substance use disorder and promote health and safety in Mass and Cass’s surrounding communities.
The CRT continues to follow a public health-led approach and is guided by:
- The City’s Long Term Strategic Outlook plan
- Regularly updated Data Dashboard
- Low Threshold Transitional Housing Initiative
- The City's Encampment Protocol
- Our Advocacy priorities and efforts
Upcoming NEIGHBORHOOD events
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Have questions? Contact:
mayor's office
Our Work
Low-Threshold Transitional Housing Sites One Year Report
This document provides a snapshot of the first year of low-threshold transitional housing site reach and experience.
Data Dashboard
A dashboard with up to date metrics on 311 calls, treatment placements, transitional housing, and more.
Public Health Resource Map: Caring for Unsheltered Persons
Map of resources around Boston that contribute to caring for unsheltered individuals
Friends and Family Reunification
To request support communicating or locating a missing loved one in the "Mass and Cass" neighborhood, please review this protocol.
CRT Updates August 2023
Summer Updates from the Coordinated Response Team
Public Health Emergency Response
UNDERSTANDING THE UNSHELTERED COMMUNITY AT MASS AND CASS
The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) conducted a survey from September 24 to October 19, 2022, to:
- better understand the needs of the neighborhood's unsheltered individuals, and
- ensure equal and fair access to resources across race, ethnicity, and gender.
Ways to Help
- Learn how to volunteer and help by visiting the BPHC website.
- Want to donate? Email donations@bphc.org
- Do you know of housing opportunities or do you have an apartment or room to rent? Please email us at Info@bphc.org
- Support permanent supportive housing in your community. Learn more at Friends of Boston's Homeless and MAMH.
- Do you have or know of employment opportunities? Call the Newmarket Jobs Initiative at 617-506-3983.
- Learn more about substance use disorder and mental health, and share with your family and friends. Here are some resources: City of Boston’s Office of Recovery Services, MDPH Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, National Institute of Mental Health, and MAHA.
Additional Resources
Long-Term Public Health Strategic Outlook Graphic
Graphic outlining the City's strategic direction and initiatives.
Long-Term Public Health Strategic Outlook
The city's strategic direction for serving Mass & Cass and unsheltered individuals in Boston.
A Public Health Centered Approach to Encampment Resolution
A comprehensive presentation on the efforts to transition individuals in January 2022.
Mass and Cass One-Pager
Read a summary of our work at Mass and Cass.
Haitian Creole Mass and Cass One-Pager
Read a summary of our work at Mass and Cass.
Spanish Mass and Cass One-Pager
Read a summary of our work at Mass and Cass.
Stakeholder Meetings Summary
Summary of what the City heard from 24 stakeholders listening sessions.
