With federal COVID funding running out, Massachusetts health officials are closing two housing programs designed to shelter those who were living in a large tent encampment
The state is also preparing to end a transitional housing program at the EnVision Hotel in Boston by the end of the year. "We have been working on this plan, knowing that this initiative was temporary," said Deirdre Calvert, director of the Department of Public Health's Bureau of Substance Addiction Services."We've been laser focused on making sure over the last few months to increase permanent capacity to ensure that we were ready to make the move."
"What we know is an evidence-based best practice," he said,"is permanent supportive housing," which provides an apartment or other permanent housing alongside a range of services tailored to each individual.