Boston Begins Crackdown On Homeless Encampments

Boston has begun sweeping away tents in an area of the city dubbed “Methadone Mile,” as new Mayor Michelle Wu outlaws encampments while promising to provide housing for the people living in them. NBC News’ Vaughn Hillyard reports.
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#NBCNews #Boston #Homeless

[@Me97202]

Once again they’re dealing with the effect and not the root cause. It’s the unfair United States economic system that creates these homeless people in the first place.

[@qjtvaddict]

So end neoliberalism then

[@matthewfusaro2590]

They say there is a housing shortage, but that's not what is causing the problem. The government has injected trillions of dollars of into the money system, causing asset prices like real-estate to skyrocket. This is really an inflation problem and now we are starting to see it everyday purchases like food and gas.

[@Scott-by9ks]

I'm guessing you've never been homeless? Back when I was homeless oh, it really shouldn't have been a surprise to me but it was. I was young, naive and I trusted the wrong people. When I was kicked out of my apartment for things that my unofficial roommate did, I lived in an SUV that I didn't own. I actually had borrowed the SUV from the car dealership that I worked at in order to move. I didn't think that it would take me that long to find a new place but it did. I lived in that Ford Expedition for a little over 6 weeks. I had all my belongings in there. I spent a lot of money on application fees just to get denied. I use the YMCA and the community center to take showers and do personal hygiene. This was in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in late May and June so it was hot. I still needed to have a clean and professional appearance to show up for work. I had a job, just no place to live. I didn't qualify for most of the homeless shelters and the ones that I did were full before I even got off of work. The help in the area really wasn't much help at all. It seems nobody wants to help low-income young man with no family. I guess it's true I became bitter about the whole system after my experience. But could you blame me? I eventually found a place, however I had to pay a lot of money up front just to get in. On top of that it was extremely expensive. I found that it's extremely difficult don't live independently. It's much easier to either live with family or have roommates. However both family and roommates can stab you in the back. Good luck out there and God bless.

[@joshgroft5682]

@@Scott-by9ks Lovely story! Bless you as well for having had the strength to persevere despite the odds that were against you! You're a true survivor and telling your story gives hope to others. Thanks so much! 🙏

[@elenaarman-tang7811]

@@Scott-by9ks Do you have a place to live now? I hope you're doing well now 🙏

[@analisejohnson4744]

All this land and empty buildings everywhere in this country, no one should be homeless.

[@tonyfeuerhelm]

...I'm not a religious man but I will say "Amen" to that. Sorry but there is no "Profit" to be made...helping the homeless...A.C.Feuerhelm

[@robertagabor3736]

I think we have a lot of very uncreative people in charge. You are right about empty buildings that could become shelters. The problem is that our government does not seem to care, but it should.

[@prevaloir5362]

All these planes taking off to random countries (going over bodies over water) everyday and we still have homeless committing crime on the streets it's awesome.

[@user-lh7mp4jg4o]

the country is so vast, but not a single land is yours.

[@user-lh7mp4jg4o]

the country is so rich, but not a penny is yours

[@DYLAN102001]

Kinda hard to have them continue to take care of themselves when the rent on a studio apt is $2k and most jobs pay only maybe $12/hr.

[@life5161]

RIGHT!!!

[@Scott-by9ks]

Apartments are much cheaper elsewhere and jobs pay better elsewhere. Yes, those that want to live in Boston have to pay a premium to live in Boston.

[@DYLAN102001]

@@Scott-by9ks Most of the jobs are in cities and most of the cheap housing is outside the city. Our public transportation system is virtually non existent so you have to buy a car right out the gate. Even outside the city the rents are high compared with any kind of job that exists. It's a matter of balancing the numbers in the budget and the point I was trying to make is that it's almost unattainable now, and that's for someone who can get a decent job. Imagine getting out of prison and trying to get a job with a felony on your record. It doesn't matter if you cleaned up your act or not you're still gonna end up homeless and back in jail because the chances of you getting a job let alone a job that can pay enough to put a roof over your head is slim.

[@Scott-by9ks]

@@DYLAN102001 true most jobs are in cities but there are plenty of jobs that are not in cities. And I disagree with you that you need a car. Most cities even small cities have a public transportation system. It may not be convenient but it is cheap to get from one place to another. And yes being a felon has certain challenges. Employment opportunities is one of the major challenges for felons. I actually advise felons to start their own businesses. Investing in skills is important. I've encountered so many people who say they can't find a good job and when we get to the meat and potatoes of it it's because they don't have valuable skills. So invest in yourself, manage your money, and create opportunity. Good luck out there.

[@bigrod359]

Then move

[@dm8296]

This is a complicated issue. Taxpayers want their city back, but many of the homeless were taxpayers. People need help, but some don't want help. Many of us are just a paycheck from being on the street. God help us all!

[@robertagabor3736]

YOU ARE SO RIGHT. IT IS NOT A SIMPLE ISSUE.

[@WakeEntry]

Sadly, the issue is only going to get worse. The cost of housing is insane, inflation is through the roof, mental health care is terrible. It's a complicated issue but unless we fix the cost of living and rampant mental illness, this issue won't be solved.

[@mrike5651]

The only people that can help them are Jesus. They have to want to quit.

[@truthspeaker8863]

no other developed nation has this issue on this scale even when you look at it per capita or look at larger countries so to say Americanas just don't want help iis a sorry excuse. I find it reallllly hard to believe when other developed countries don't have the issue at this rate. theres more at play here

[@littleredhen3354]

Most of the homeless ARE taxpayers, they just don't earn enough in the plutocracy we live in to afford a roof over their heads. There are also the disabled veterans and the mentally ill living on the streets as well as newly homeless families with kids.

[@angelsdevils2956]

So here's the thing the homeless issue is Nationwide in every state Republican and Democrat ran this is a national issue that needs to be dealt with we need to get people into housing we need mental health and substance abuse intervention we need jobs that pay livable wages we need to rebuild our country and until we get rid of the attitude of people being disposable we will remain divided and divided we will fall

[@hollycampbell4103]

Ignore the troll. I read your comment and you're absolutely correct.

[@hollycampbell4103]

@Sapientia You might try proof reading your own comments before you correct others. --> You need to punctuate *your* comments if you want anyone to read them.

[@marilynmonheaux]

If you want to help others in this country you get called a communist or a socialist. Until we stop arguing and care for the people it will continue.

[@Greasybear24]

👏🏽

[@lewstone5430]

@Sapientia You’re stereotyping and even when some people are being difficult you *never* give up on them, and yes I’ve worked with the homeless.

[@janinecarson8380]

Kudos to the new mayor for actually providing some options. There's no point in just moving them around if they have no place to go.

[@elmerkilred159]

Only if you move them forward. Forward = progress. They don't have to go anywhere though. Maybe, the next block.

[@clairelivefreeordie2551]

Agreed...mayor Wu is off to a very promising start!

[@MrDXRamirez]

Kudos to a city providing shelters as an option...something not right about you, fella. Shelters are no option. People are homeless in America because of the rich own the greater share of the land and builders cater to the rich.

[@lurkingarachnid7475]

she asian, asian only want to get it done and they'll do it themselves

[@naturalremedy8092]

But their not really giving options, theirs to many homeless people to be doing that

[@TheBlumann]

CRACKDOWNS.....what a weird way to described the shuffling of people without homes from one area to another.

[@karenbelanger8621]

I like this Mayor. Shes trying to do something about it.

[@firstduckofwellington6889]

@@joanfrederick9176 What? They're literally doing something

[@1973Washu]

Empty words and hollow promises

[@BrandyTexas214]

One issue we have is the rent increases.. they’re soaring so high people are being forced to move. This needs to be addressed ASAP or homelessness will be an even bigger issue but everyone is ignoring this. It’s a major problem

[@kaischmidt8030]

How do you fix that?

[@5pctLowBattery]

These encampments are usually across the street from condos going for $3M+, rent of $4k+/month. So dystopian.

[@jasonjames4254]

@smn45 There are only 330 million people in the entire U.S. genius!

[@jamesricker3997]

Massachusetts has some of the highest rents in the country but the state does a good job of making sure people don't go homeless because of inability to afford housing

[@doughesson]

Did you vote for a tax increase on property owners? How did you think that they would pay for it without increasing the rents that they collect?

[@josefizquierdo6139]

I really hope that all those displaced homeless persons are getting a much better and safer place to live. They're American, too. 🇺🇸

[@philstev9888]

Utterly useless ones who gave up on themselves.

[@jcfra420]

If you feel that way, take some into your home...

[@smokyquartz5817]

Phil enjoy the streets Phil.

[@josefizquierdo6139]

"If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything." 👁️👁️

[@josefizquierdo6139]

@@jcfra420 I would...but "where I live," in the Southernmost part of my town, you don't see homeless people living in the streets. I live far away from the Downtown area of my hometown. That's where organizations, like "The Salvation Army" are found...not in the boondocks of our town.

[@daydreonmckinney]

There isn't enough affordable housing for low income. Where do you expect low income people to live?

[@justrosy5]

E X A C T L Y!

[@victorianmelody46]

Not just low income. Many medium income families cannot find affordable housing.

[@josephinacotto]

Then lower the rent be realistic!!!!!! I’m sick of these landlords making people pay $900 for 1 bedroom apartment from the 70s ! The greediness is out of control!

[@bobcob3362]

Um no one is making you do anything.

[@secretagentcat]

@@bobcob3362 yes they are, corporations are buying up homes in droves and renting them out. Zoning and dumb capitalist garbage has pushed hard working people from their homes for decades. They are making us move because of their need for money and profits. No reason ANY studio should be more than 800 bucks

[@WashingMykale]

It's a free market, they are charging this much because there are people who can and will pay that much. And those who can afford it will gladly pay that much because it draws people 'similar' to their socioeconomic status to the neighborhood and keep the riffraffs out. It's called gentrification and the Blacks and Hispanics have been dealing with this LOoooong before the lower middle class Whites are starting to experience it.

[@bobcob3362]

@@secretagentcat it's called suppy and demand. If they were overpriced, no one could afford to rent them and there would be more suppy. So obviously people can afford them. Maybe not on a 20 hour a week McDonald's job.

[@mattie22011]

More like 1200...

[@lavettaluckett3832]

It took a female mayor to care , good for her 👍

[@MDM8998]

Seemingly, every time women take over, life gets better. Look at new Zealand. Most men in politics are the problem

[@Boxhead42]

Women can do somethings better, I have to agree, however man can do other things better as well. I have a proposal, what if cities elected two mayors at a time, one male and the other female? It would provide different perspectives to solve our problems. But oh wait, they would be arguing and fighting constantly just like an old married couple. Never mind.

[@justrosy5]

If this is what you call a good job for a Mayor, I'd hate to see what you call a bad one! This isn't even peanuts she's throwing at them. It's more like Trump's paper towels.

[@Mrcuddlesworth_]

@@MDM8998 Margaret Thatcher literately invaded a country

[@DanielleSelah]

It does not make sense to sweep away those encampments and not have a place for those people to live and for the addicts. They will only set up in another neighborhood. There is a man on KZbin named Nick Johnson (Unboxing America) and his channel shows the decay and homelessness in just about every city. I suggest everyone go to that channel and see just how bad things has gotten and it continues to get worse.

[@jamesnash6101]

The detox centers/locations are a strong step in the right direction. I still say that taking money away from the department of defense is a bigger step in the right direction.

[@TPHoarder]

Oh, don't do that. That's "un-American".

[@jasonjames4254]

That's what all you Marxists say!

[@lewstone5430]

@James Nash absolutely but we both know Defense spending will never be cut by either party, but it would be the right move.

[@jasonjames4254]

@@lewstone5430 Sure... take money from security to fund drug addicts. What could go wrong? SMH!!!

[@jamesnash6101]

@@lewstone5430 there are PAC's who are working diligently to change that. By removing Nancy Pelosi, Mitch McConnell and the rest of those parasites out-of-office.

[@georgetaylor8895]

9 degrees and they are throwing the little they have away. There is no way they are going to walk in a city office today and have a warm bed that night.

[@pattynellis7347]

It makes me angry that they arrest them for being without 😤

[@justrosy5]

Same. And then there are all the intellectually challenged rich commenters who have nothing better to do with their time, since they don't have to work, than to come here to videos like this one and spread their lies about the homeless supposedly "deserving" it, or being "lazy" or whatever. They have no F'n clue at all. I hope they all wind up on the streets! Would serve them right!

[@matthewfusaro2590]

@@justrosy5 Karma has a way of finding dirtbags like the trolls you mentioned. Most of them probably live in their mama's basement and much closer to living on the streets than they realize.

[@galegrazutis964]

@@justrosy5 So your going to ignore drug addiction, alcoholism, criminal history. The crimes the homeless commit. Shooting up on the streets. Not all of them are this way but you can't ignore that all these issues exist with the homeless.!!!

[@yl003760]

Finally Boston has a Mayor with common sense. All American cities should follow.

[@user-yo1pz2qu2b]

Helping those people to stand again on their own feet would be a great kindness and noble thing Gvoernment could offer. Using tax money wisely, MAGA!

[@cryptsolo]

she's lying there isnt enough housing facilities to house everyone . america as a whole has a shortage of housing and with inflation and rent rising at its fastest pace in history this is only the beginning. these are the effects of living in the largest debtor nation in the world

[@user-yo1pz2qu2b]

@@cryptsolo Big nation is not the main problem, Big nations had more resources. The problem is Neo-communists who call themselves as Liberals. They have done great jobs in Venezuela an once great first world nation, a middle sized nation. You let Liberals take control you got this. so simple.

[@cryptsolo]

@@user-yo1pz2qu2b Both republicans and democrats have issued debt in the guise of social welfare. debt issuance exacerbates inflation and the distortion of asset prices such as homes. They used covid as a scapegoat for all our economic woes to shift the blame from themselves and they found their new distraction which is the ukraine conflict. The problem is the central bank the federal reserve who controls our flawed monetary policies have been supporting socialist programs to to cover up the damage they themselves caused to destroy the middle class and become the buyer and lender of last resort. Venezuela's currency is pegged by the usd all fiat around the world is and we will in our lifetime see a global financial crisis that will end it all

[@tvtitlechampion3238]

@@cryptsolo or a return to a Medieval European-type era where we have the stark divide of emphatic haves and utter have-nots. Those conditions guarantee misery and strife, not unlike what we have now, but potentially way worse.

[@2112CO]

If you think your not a couple of paychecks or a injury away from moving into a tent don't forget Central Park was completely full of homeless during the Great Depression.

[@jcfra420]

You are comparing apples and oranges. If you think the Great Depression was a couple missed paychecks, do a little more reading.

[@lyraserpentine894]

The city needs to establish housing & services first, then round up the unhoused and bus them to their new homes where they will be connected with services. Then there needs to be a safety net (series of programs) that prevents homelessness in the first place. This mayor is on the right track and it's about time someone was proactive about this issue.

[@MelissaR784]

Sounds so simple.

[@lyraserpentine894]

@@MelissaR784 Because it is. The barriers are the prereqs in place for shelters & organizations. Example: an unhoused person needs to be completely sober before being placed in certain shelters or programs. Another issue is that nonprofits are the only orgs working on this issue, but they only have so much funding (restricted funds) that they can barely keep up with feeding the unhoused, let alone housing them. There are simple solutions but red tape and restricted funds are blocking their use.

[@ryanbazan5016]

What if they don't want to get on the bus and go with them?

[@lyraserpentine894]

@@ryanbazan5016 If someone chooses to be homeless, then they're mentally ill and can't make proper decisions on their own. Pack them up, move them to housing, and connect them to resources. Doesn't matter what they want if they can't take care of themselves. I want to end homelessness PERIOD and this is how we do it.

[@ryanbazan5016]

@@lyraserpentine894 that's tough man. I remeber back when I was I had some commute service to do I did some time at the soup kitchen and talking to some of these guys some were just hippies who didn't like paying rent and saying they could often use services for free while they travel around. Don't get me wrong we still need these programs but a blanket statement like that is a tough sell. Weird doesn't mean they can't care for themselves.

[@seanskeete8785]

Good job Ms. Wu. I hope every mayor that has this problem follow your lead. The majority of these people have mental and/or drug issues. They cannot make rational decisions for themselves.

[@nothing2see315]

My drug problem is being unvaccinated and unable to find a job, also doesn’t help I’m male and white, every job I’ve applied to has a notice saying first considerations given to indigenous,LGBT, or migrant applicants, almost out of money and unemployed soon to be homeless, if I can find $20 bucks I’m gonna try some drugs and alcohol maybe I’ll O’D and have my problems solved.

[@aarongranda7825]

Oh my God you are so judgemental! What if this happened to you? Would you have the same blase attitude?

[@user-yo1pz2qu2b]

@@nothing2see315 They said drug treatment center wouldn't charge you money, so why not try to get help from them? One thing is for sure, if you don't get rid of drug addiction, no one would want to employ you. Because if you are them, you wouldn't want to employ a druggie as well.

[@nothing2see315]

@@user-yo1pz2qu2b 🤚🪙🪙

[@MadMaxSHTF]

We were saving to buy a home but we refused to pay into this high cost home price. We are going minimalist, off the grid VANLIFE. We will save more money and when home price crashes, we can buy it in cash!

[@jaquanpowell4605]

Don't end up like Gabby and Brian 😂

[@onespeedlite]

Unless you plan on living at campsites, you will have trouble finding legal parking in the city. I would suggest that you watch KZbin videos on couples who have lived this off grid lifestyle who are honest about the pros and cons. It's a different experience if you are young, single, living alone, and support your living by Vlogging. Next, rent a camper and do it for a month. Then decide if this is the way to go. This all sounds exciting until you have to take a dump in the middle of the night or shower outside of your van during the winter... not to mention the extreme heat inside of your van in the summer.

[@williambrucesanders6878]

@@onespeedlite I started 3 months ago.

[@MadMaxSHTF]

@@onespeedlite , we have been watching it on youtube for 3 years please our own research. I can practically build it myself.

[@MadMaxSHTF]

@BigCitySocialist , We are both nurse practitioners, I highly doubt you can match our education accomplishments the way your narrow mind attitude.

[@teresaalford5978]

EVERY CITY NEEDS TO DO THIS!!!!!!!!

[@yahjudah1289]

Where do the homless go ?

[@jsuoar6394]

@@yahjudah1289 Definitely not in the streets. Put them in shethers instead of a cold tent

[@qjtvaddict]

@@yahjudah1289 THE FACILITY

[@christopherwhitley9923]

So by destroying their little encampments that's supposed to help them? How many are going to die because you tore down their shack? Poor planning at it worst.

[@MidnightMark12]

This is what it's like when you have to invent terms to 'win arguments'.

[@christopherwhitley9923]

@@MidnightMark12 I'm sorry but what? I'm not inventing any terms or in a argument. Your comment makes no sense.

[@stevenworth353]

Capitalism straight from yhe book

[@loriannrichardson7644]

Pretty sure in the video it was said that they're being offered services. The video also spike of the crime occurring in the encampment. Pay attention.

[@christopherwhitley9923]

I watched the video. I see their offering services but that does not mean that destroying everything they have is alright. I don't know if you have ever been homeless but it's not a quick process getting into housing. They will probably have to wait weeks before they get housed if they even qualify. So I don't understand the need to just destroy all they have. But thanks, I did pay attention. Also their is always going to be violence in a homeless camp. Maybe the city should have tried giving a crap before it was winter.

[@dr.velmasablan3611]

Drastic action in the face of a drastic situation! I think the Mayor is on the right track, clear away the inadequate shelters, get the homeless folks into housing that is warm, safe, and humane. Mobilize the community to help the homeless learn to be productive citizens again, provide treatment for those who need medical and mental health assistance.

[@Sammy-jh9rh]

We need more young mayors with bold new initiatives. In fact no one over 60 should hold any political post in the government

[@jerrynavarro2404]

Yup

[@edwardjones1305]

You sound right. People are voting them.

[@JENTHINKSO]

Ageism is as stupid and lazy as any other form of bigotry. Judge candidates on policy and actions. Period.

[@cheesyrichard]

anyone young would just keep them out in tents on the sidewalk, handing them free needles and food to stay alive. I mean, they ARE the ones who voted for the people doing that, right? do younger people not vote democrat? because that's who's allowing this to happen. look at the West coast and how their genius liberal ideas have created massive homeless camps on every street corner.

[@jbythebay1543]

Glad to see the Mayor actually doing something about this problem and providing options. It won't be enough though without proper mental hospitals for the folks who can't actually maintain a household or act appropriately to keep it. We can't solve the homeless problem without reopening the mental hospitals that were closed decades ago and LED to this problem in the first place. Impossible with so many mentally unstable people out there, - simply giving them shelter won't help when they can't take care of themselves.

[@robertagabor3736]

You are right. This is not a simple issue and frankly, as far as I am concerned it is a far more important issue than climate control and all the other issues that are being argued in Washington DC.

[@mrike5651]

They need outreach for of preachers to help them and pray for them. Then get them help.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

@@mrike5651 prayer doesn't help anyone better than any other placebo

[@Feisty6969]

agreed...and one option is to let the mentally unstable run for office...maybe get better results...

[@jamesblankenship5439]

Once I was sleeping under a bridge between Stock Island and Key West. I was took to jail and released the next day. I knew a few hundred homeless people there. I worked for the Historical Society as a carpenter. But only made about ten dollars an hour. My supervisor was not familiar in the slightest idea of how to build. I put apartments over a warehouse. I had to show them how to build a stairs and just normal procedures. Anyhow I knew hundreds of homeless. Most were no different from anyone else. Some chose that lifestyle. A few vets that didn't have a choice. Things are not going to get better. Inflation is going to get worse and the minimum wage is not going anywhere. Our government is a joke and the American dream today is to have something to eat. A small percentage of people have gained a decent income and forgotten what it was like to struggle. As time goes by the so-called middle income will disappear. I think this video said there 240,000 homeless. Two years ago it was over 500,000. If not for family it would be 8 times that. Most of the homeless can not afford Wifi. Or a $200 phone to use it. You will never see the whole picture. Because your government and media will not let it be known. BTW. I can't afford to live in the US since I retired. I live in the Philippines.

[@whereisyourhumanity7557]

"It's no crime to be poor. But it may as well be."

[@jasonjames4254]

There are literally help wanted signs all over the place advertising decent starting wages. If your willing to work and not a derelict drug addict, you can easily find a job. Then you just get together with other homeless people and share a rental to reduce your housing costs.

[@jondoe7894]

@@jasonjames4254 you have to provide proof of residence, up-to-date personal Information, bank account, 2 forms of ID. You have to prove your worth hiring, be clean, show up for interviews. Assuming you get the job as a person experiencing homelessness, you have to be reliable to show up and make the shifts. And for how much pay?

[@Essex121514]

@@jasonjames4254 define decent starting wage. I bet you that we have a different opinion.

[@jasonjames4254]

@@jondoe7894 Well.... duh!!! You act as if that's impossible. Well, guess what? IT'S NOT!

[@frankihatch]

@@jasonjames4254 all low paying jobs

[@MadScientistMikeOfficial]

they probably already kicked those folks out of housing for "not conforming" in some way, but now they are in the cold without their tent even. The news will spin it as heartwarming, but this is depressing to anyone who knows what the system does to the unhoused. It disposes of them after the photo op.

[@cheesyrichard]

not conforming? just say they were smoking meth indoors despite there being an anti-drug policy they have to agree to

[@annv7485]

It is heartless and cruel to tear down their shelters in the middle of the winter without housing them first.

[@zico739]

Can they move into your neighborhood?

[@jasonjames4254]

That's right! Like Izoto said, why don't you take in 6 or 7 of them. They can live in your garage!

[@annv7485]

@@jasonjames4254 would if I was anywhere near. And yes my family has taken in some people with nowhere to go and helped them. Amazing how easy a person can find a job with a physical address that couldn't find one before. Amazing on how they can move to an apartment, paying their own rent, when they have that job. How amazingly stupid your response was.

[@annv7485]

@@zico739 yes

[@JohnSmith-bx5fg]

Druggies

[@victorianmelody46]

Many people only have social security, or disability fixed income of $800 a month, which allows you $16 in food stamps a month. Here in Nashville an average one bedroom apartment runs $1200 plus utilities. Double that for a two bedroom. It takes about 2 1/2 years if your lucky to get in public housing for the disabled or elderly.

[@robertagabor3736]

and the public should be made aware of the great difficulties a lot of people are facing.

[@secretagentcat]

Wow, a mayor that's actually doing something

[@chongsongang4855]

But where do they find shelter???

[@mikepict9011]

It'll be you soon , targeted for extermination by public unions . Probably after you have kids , they love selling children

[@tvtitlechampion3238]

Trying something, actually. Maybe she's improving policy-making.

[@boblov8225]

Good for the mayor

[@theghostofarchiebunker8859]

I was homeless on Mass ave when I was a drug addict and there are shelters everywhere! There are mens shelters, womens shelters, family shelters, domestic violence shelters, transitional housing, etc etc…. The real problem….you can’t bring drugs in!!!! And couples can’t stay together

[@toob247]

It all starts with poverty. People laugh when people said they took our jobs but when they said all the good jobs overseas that's when it started. Our parents generation used to have one person in the house work now it takes two and a half

[@dougm4796]

Hurt's my heart that we have to suffer so much before anything can change least not forget the rent stabilisation moratorium is up , hundreds of thousands of more homeless adults and children will be on the street plus the increase of covid !!! Way to go rich people !

[@robertagabor3736]

You are right, Doug. This is a serious and pressing issue and it should be at the top of the list. This should not be.

[@jmcnally647]

I'm surprised those people stay outside in those conditions. I guess the smart ones buy bus tickets and come down to Florida during the winter so they don't freeze to death. It's just so very sad to see people living in tent cities all over the country these days. It's horrifying there are many working homeless folks who simply can't afford housing. Housing in this nation, both renting and buying, it's just too expensive in many areas. Areas where it's not so much money often don't have as many jobs.

[@vernwallen4246]

This dire situation is WORLD WIDE!😜😜😜

[@wesstubbs3472]

"Let's attack the poor and powerless!" That's those Republican Family Values.

[@joepappas4968]

She just said that throwing away their tents is good for them because then they get to talk with city administration about their problems

[@tonyfeuerhelm]

...but it's - 9 degree's....

[@bobcob3362]

@@tonyfeuerhelm is your home heated? House a few.

[@justrosy5]

And they're supposed to do that how? They don't even know where to go to find these supposed shelters she speaks of. I kinda think they don't know where the city's admin offices even are.

[@emilyhart2252]

I lived in a van for 3 months, waiting for an apt I had put a deposit on to be available. It was rough and I had some shelter with the van. I'm not mentally ill, not a drug addict or alcoholic. Being homeless ca happen to ANYONE.

[@hollycampbell4103]

Americans equate poverty with moral failure without realizing that nearly 60% of them are one paycheck away from being homeless.

[@frankihatch]

Most homeless are drug addicts

[@veerodriguez1751]

crackdowns? like they're criminals for being homeless. USE THE TAX MONEY TO GIVE US A PLACE TO STAY. People in jail are treated better...

[@mike7733m]

That's awesome that Boston is doing that for the homeless people there it's a shame that so many other cities around America don't even care

[@thedevilsadvocate5210]

They are tearing up their tents. Then the people have no where to stay.

[@matthewfusaro2590]

Yeah, that's what she wants you to think but that's not what's happening. People are still living there and it's in the dead of winter. She can't wait until spring to clear out these encampments? What's the big rush? Destroying the encampments doesn't solve the problem, it just hides it.

[@Scott-by9ks]

No, we do care we just don't believe. It is extremely frustrating for most American cities because we feel like we have tried everything. We have jobs. We have social services. We have addiction programs. We have housing programs. But for one reason or another either people don't qualify or more likely they don't want to comply with the requirements of the services. That leaves the citizens who are paying for these Services frustrated.

[@user-yo1pz2qu2b]

@@matthewfusaro2590 Look at Kensington... people are laying directly in the snow, providing homeless mini house should be warmer than cloths, human skin and tents. As for why people are still sleeping on the street? Is that because of drug problem? is drug using allowed in those tiny house community? Are mad people left Tiny house and freezing to death? If so, drug addicts should be helped differently with normal people. And mad people should be taking in mental hospitals.

[@tvtitlechampion3238]

@@user-yo1pz2qu2b most public mental hospitals were shut down during the Reagan era, and the old single room occupancies (SRO) got closed out and converted to condos. Where are they going to go that's not a soul-crushing experience. At least, on the streets, they can lose on their own terms. Say what you want, pride counts for something.

[@valhallabrewbq5468]

I moved out of Boston to Wisconsin in April. I definitely love the Midwest life more. So glad I don't have to drive down Methadone Mile or ride the MBTA ever again. That city literally went down hill over the 9 years I lived there.

[@mapples007]

How about "Helping" instead of a "Crack down"? 🤬

[@taylorbug9]

You need reform in homeless shelters before you can force people out of the places they're living now and into shelters. There are many problems with shelters, a couple examples are they have curfews and if you are not in by a fairly early point in the evening your s*** is thrown outside and you lose your place. How does that help people who are trying to work to get back on their feet? Who might need to work past 8:00 p.m.? And cannot because they will lose their place at the shelter? They don't let you stay during the day you have to be out by a certain time and then they let you come back at night. These are all things I've heard from other news reports about how shelters are run and it seems pretty obvious why some people literally cannot accept that offer. I wish people use their brains AND had compassion.

[@yvonnetomenga5726]

@Taylor Griffin • The problems you list may not exist for the cottages & hotel rooms so shelters are not the only solution Boston is offering.

[@burtvhulberthyhbn7583]

The real problem with homeless shelters is the cannot use drugs or alcohol there. And we know how important drugs and alcohol are don't we?

[@jasonjames4254]

Nonsense! I have never seen a shelter that did not allow people to work unusual shifts. The overwhelming majority of people getting thrown out of these shelters are failing to comply with the terms of their housing. They simply verify employment and have check-in/check-out procedures in place to reduce crime and public vagrancy. If you don't enforce rules, homeless shelters only enable addicts to continue their addictions and increase crime in the community. When crime increases in the neighborhoods where homeless shelters are located, local residence band together and petition city councils to remove them. Try living next to a homeless shelter that is not properly managed. They just become magnets for drugs and crime!

[@taylorbug9]

@@burtvhulberthyhbn7583 studies actually show that most homeless people don't do that many drugs or alcohol compared to the people that you know have disposable income to spend on those sorts of things. It's hard to accept but you're going to need to accept that you've been lied to about a lot of things in your life. I've lived in some pretty rough areas and I have not met a single homeless person that ended up homeless because of addiction. Most of them ended up homeless due to bad situations dealing with friends or people they trusted. I even ended up homeless once because of someone I trusted kicking me out with 3 days notice. I was renting from her so what she did was technically illegal and I could have fought it because in my state they have to give you at least 30 days. But her alcoholic baby daddy was stealing from us so it was for the best anyways. We put everything we owned in a storage unit got a campsite and borrowed camping gear from people. Obviously the homelessness I experienced was short-lived and a lot different than real homelessness. But you get the point. I was paying to rent a room from someone that I trusted and worked for. And all of a sudden one day I didn't have a job or a place to call my own anymore. You can pretend like homelessness is due to addiction so that you can pretend like you don't need to help people. But that's bad karma for you buddy. Part of being a good person is understanding that not everybody is the worst version you see them as. Not everyone you've been brought up to look down upon, is actually beneath you.

[@taylorbug9]

@@jasonjames4254 oh so they just went to a bunch of homeless shelters and had the shelters lie about it on the news then did they? These homeless shelters got up on the news and lied about their own rules? To what end? Make sure homeless people stayed away?

[@alisonfowler8193]

I hope they all get the help and shelter they need. I'd love an update on this story soon as well.

[@TPHoarder]

They won't.

[@JohnSmith-bx5fg]

They are to busy doing drugs.

[@bobcob3362]

You could take a few in if you really cared.

[@robertagabor3736]

I think the powers that be should be confronted and don't leave them alone until they do something about it. It is a serious issue and it is being ignored by Washington. DC

[@kmc7876]

Have u an extra room in ur house please.. These ppl will vote democrat like yourself

[@bgiv2010]

So happy about the comments that are sympathetic towards the people sleeping in the streets rather than the businesses that tend to call the police.

[@andrerone8208]

This is a problem that's been going all the way from the West Coast all the way to the east to the Midwest all the way to the South homeless people are humans too I've been homeless myself let me tell you it's no fun but there needs to be a thing called rent control there also needs to be affordable housing for people to live permanent jobs that will not just hire you for the season and then let you go at the end of the month after Christmas is over we need permanent jobs that will give people a sense of hope feeling for the future just a temporary thing but this gives a chance everybody to get back on their feet not temporary but permanently I hope that all of us will find a way to make that happen

[@ghadi202X]

gross, I feel sorry for the clean up workers, they are the true unsung heroes dealing with these disgusting encampments

[@kawannadixon4327]

These people should have already been placed somewhere before she decided to take away their only means of survival Lord have mercy😭💔🙏🏾💯

[@jcfra420]

If your so upset by it, foster some homeless in your home. Imagine the new start you could give them.

[@justrosy5]

Thank you! EXACTLY.

[@kawannadixon4327]

I can speak about being homeless and helping homeless people because that's what I have done continuously maybe you should try doing it as well my reward is from the Lord💯🙏🏾❤

[@mrv9187]

Crazy idea… send all these homeless people into the middle of nowhere and have them learn how to grow their own crops and detox their bodies and minds. Giving them free hotel rooms will only make them more comfortable and they’ll never want to leave. Something drastic needs to be done because this is getting ridiculous

[@RobertSmith-rp3xk]

I think everyone deserves some place to stay. Even if it is just a homeless shelter.

[@italktocomputers1901]

interesting to see this happen all over the US. i think we have normalized an aspect of capitalism that we need to solve now. either by removing the commodification of real estate or to socialize construction of homes. this is all convenient for the prison system as well. this commodification of human life needs to stop at one point before it canabalizes itself.

[@life5161]

I agree. They way we live is barbaric and NOT ok

[@lovelylady2387]

She is the best I've seen in a very long time she seem concern which is very rare these days I'm hoping shes consistent with the homeless situations.

[@juanvaldez6651]

Bring back mental hospitals...

[@melissahouse3488]

The United State's of Homelessness!!! 😞💔

[@v.r.5551]

So sad so bad for those people 😔🙁

[@andrerone8208]

I've been homeless for five years this is going back 27 years ago let me tell you sitting on a park bench trying to think about what you're going to do next where you going to go how you going to take a shower and where you going to lay down for the night what really needs to be done is get these people into permanent housing apartments and homes help them to get back onto their feet jobs that are permanent give them to help in the medical attention that they need and also to find a way to lower the cost of living especially in housing an apartment living because it's becoming ridiculous you figure the rich and the wealthy have more than enough they don't need another condo or another house but you figure these brand new condos and townhouses they're being vote on the Water California or any other place in general fill with family so they can take care of themselves permanently

[@Scott-by9ks]

Are you still homeless? Are you employed? Are you employable anywhere? What I mean by employable anywhere is, no court ordered residency like parole, child custody, ect.? If not.....move to Tulsa Ok. Rent there is cheap! Some areas as little as $450/month. My brother bought his house for $26k. My sister and her husband got a house for $71k. I mean how much do you have to make to afford this?

[@andrerone8208]

@@Scott-by9ks to answer your question homelessness was back in the year 1990 to 2005 I move to Oklahoma Muskogee Oklahoma the time and I made my way to Tulsa Costa pretty well nicetown now I had my own apartment which is basically 315 a month not bad rent that all and the rent was cheap as well very well you know I just might consider moving back to Tulsa one day miss it though my favorite place is the Tulsa river parks change the the Arkansas River still very nice place to be but now I am no longer homeless that was a long time ago I do think about it from time to time but I still think about it from time to time

[@pattynellis7347]

More needs to done to help homeless

[@JohnSmith-bx5fg]

Yup...done by the homeless themself....GET OFF DRUGS

[@pattynellis7347]

@@JohnSmith-bx5fg many ...true but not all

[@frankihatch]

@@pattynellis7347 most are on drugs Patty

[@bobcob3362]

@@pattynellis7347 how many have you brought home to help?

[@pattynellis7347]

@@bobcob3362 actually a few of my sons friends how about you now ...your turn

[@doyoubelong2Him]

Michelle, you are my hero! God bless you.

[@andyzwz]

She's my hero too

[@TimUFL]

Clearing people out wouldn't be necessary if there were programs to help people in these situations. It's all about the war on the middle class and pooling of money in hands of the ultra wealthy and corporations which serve themselves - not people. G R E E D! 🥺

[@life5161]

Yep

[@masterroshi4714]

I guess it's not destruction of private property when your homeless.

[@bfun4615]

Someone should get a lawyer and sue for theft or destruction of property

[@user-ue7to6sm3b]

Wish we had more respect for the homeless. They’ve gone through much more than most of us ever do. Huge props to the new Boston mayor for working to provide new housing options!

[@Scott-by9ks]

There is a solution. Offer a homeless person a room in your house. I read that 2/3 of Americans have a vacant/unoccupied room in their home. For those that are truly compassionate this make sense.

[@user-yo1pz2qu2b]

I would want to hug Boston mayor if i knew my tax money is sent to help fellow Americans, Not just those are unlucky bro & sis need help, But also that solved the great eye sore you have to see everyday.

[@user-yo1pz2qu2b]

@@Scott-by9ks What you said is not solution, Democrats opened border yet will never want such a thing happened in their own homes. Nancy had 4 very huge buildings yet she didn't even spared one room for fellow unlucky Americans.

[@tychostevenson9595]

I don't understand..there's all these abandoned homes just rotting everywhere. The government can fix them up and make them into assisted living.. especially in cold weather

[@maureenjanousek9088]

Clean ALL of this out from every city in America

[@frederickjenson3557]

Landlords have to raise rent, with the huge increases to property tax, materials for up keep, utilities and insurance. I pay almost as much for taxes and insurance a month on my present house which I'm lucky to have paid off, as I did on my first house and that included the house payment. Crazy. The government needs to start managing our money better or their gonna drive us to the poor house.

[@Polarcupcheck]

Exactly. Fifty percent or more of my yearly costs are taxes and HOA fees.

[@jamesricker3997]

The property tax in Massachusetts is around 1%

[@beverlyledbetter4906]

Not all of them. Some do it out of necessity, but for the rest it's just greed because they know they can get away with it. Still others do it because they want to force certain tenants out, either due to racism or other personal reasons!

[@marinahernandez8578]

My prayers are for everyone to have a decent place to live, for the healthy ones to be trained in what they like to be an asset to the community. God bless America

[@matthewfusaro2590]

God bless America ??? America has been blessed for the past 200 years with an unbelievable amount of material wealth and look what has happened to it? It's been gobbled up by the oligarchs, leaving just the crumbs for everyone else. No, God has blessed America enough. Time for God to start blessing other, more worthy countries.

[@gelatinous6915]

You're aware lots of them work, right? They work but can't afford 2k rent per month because minimum wage is 7 an hour?

[@AdamWestish]

The city's emphasis and priorities need to be on service first, cleanup last. Only incompetence would allow these people to be stressed out as their few belongings-whether or not they look like trash, they're still largely needed-are thrown away and trashed with no recourse, making traumatized brains even more troubled.

[@pjq420]

'I ain't seeing efforts over the last decades' - says everything about your oversea's human rights champion

[@andyginterblues2961]

Both the Mayor and the commentator stated that there are already enough facilities in place to shelter ALL of these homeless people. The city made certain that there was housing for these folks before the cleanup began, they were told, they knew this. So WHY are there the hardcore homeless who refuse to use the shelters etc. that are already available for them? Agreed that shelters are dangerous places, but I've lived in Boston, and the winters there can be brutal. I am now back in upstate New York, where we have a small population of those same hardcore homeless who refuse help, and prefer to live in a homeless encampment that's called "the jungle". Free housing is available here, with the condition that the applicants remain drug free. The hardcore homeless here choose their addiction to heroin, meth, crack cocaine, etc. over shelter. This is a sad truth that EVERY social worker, politician, civic leader etc. likes to deny, dance circles around, lie about- that a huge percentage of the homeless got there due to their drug addiction. And legalizing drugs would be just about the WORST solution to the problem. Lock up the dealers. This simple solution is hampered by the fact that most cops, judges, etc. are also drug addicted. It's a sad mess.

[@tonyfeuerhelm]

...you do realize that the United States has 1.3 Million citizens "Locked Up" already. Second only to China at 1.6 M. Also the only nation on earth that profits from it's prison system. Prison is not the solution to addiction...A.C.Feuerhelm

[@tonyfeuerhelm]

..I'm just saying locking up addicts and dealers is no good Locking up the suppliers to the importers. The manufacturers of say Fentanyl in both India and China...A.C.Feuerhelm

[@andyginterblues2961]

@@tonyfeuerhelm Stay in school, don't do drugs. Where there is a demand, there will be a supply. I'm having fun just sitting back and watching my entire country of birth destroy themselves with drugs, and finding millions of ways to justify and normalize addiction. Party on.

[@andyginterblues2961]

@@tonyfeuerhelm Imprisoning the dealers would work just fine. Funny how this doesn't happen very often.

[@andyginterblues2961]

@@tonyfeuerhelm I know ALL ABOUT the incarceration rate in the U.S. I worked for a re- entry agency a few years ago.

[@kewlor8261]

THIS MAYOR SHOULD KNOW THAT PROMISES IN SUMMER FOR ALTERNATIVE HOUSING IS A TAD BETTER THAN "MINUS" NOT "NEGATIVE" 9 DESTROYING THE ONLY HOMES THEY HAVE!!

[@maserati925]

They need to begin building affordable housing🤦🏽‍♀️

[@WashingMykale]

The US is an ultra competitive playground where instead of first place gets 55%, second place gets 30% and third place gets 15%, it's almost winner takes all, or close to 90/10/0. It's brutal and it gets worse since those with 90% are making the rules.

[@vickyorr7856]

In Colorado homeless are offered indoor places to stay but the homeless will not use it because they cannot use drugs or alcohol while staying in those places

[@frankihatch]

Put them in jail

[@bobcob3362]

@@frankihatch can't drink or do drugs there either.

[@vickyorr7856]

@@frankihatch unfortunately drugs find it's way into jails as well...we need to stop helping those that don't want to help themselves...stop giving narcan to those who overdose over and over again..when live PD was aired police would give narcan multiple times a week to the same person...now here in Denver they are opening a place for drug users and people on standby with narcan if a person overdose...it's unbelievable 🤔

[@madpatriot4608]

Stop spending on the military and start, spending on the taxpayers needs

[@stevetroy1864]

How about cracking down on the 10 richest people in the world that all doubled their networth during the pandemic?

[@capitalism-createshomeless2922]

100000000% agree!

[@dianadowie3985]

This is wrong. Throwing people's tents out! I really don't believe the mayor of Boston.

[@onespeedlite]

Are you willing to take some of the displaced people into your home? Oh, I see. It's the government's problem and not yours.

[@dianadowie3985]

@@onespeedlite, you know if I could I would! Throwing people's tents out is so wrong! The reason the mayor is throwing and destroying the homeless people's tents is they are an eye sore.

[@monicaespinoza8429]

God Bless her! Hope they can see this problems in all the angles, it is so sad .

[@Litchris34]

This mayor has a good heart ❤ that's great why can't more people in positions to make a difference have compassion and understanding ?🤔

[@garysmith4674]

Houses are ridiculously priced in mass

[@bankleaks1217]

I would like to see even one example of someone's tent they disposed of receiving housing.

[@tee4272]

The federal government should open more inpatient rehabs for underinsured. I can't tell you how many times homeless patients I see in the emergency department are seeking rehab but there are no places available to those who do not have good insurance or ability to pay for out of pocket expenses.

[@hollycampbell4103]

We are the only developed country without universal healthcare, it's criminal. Even Russia and China have universal healthcare for it's citizens.

[@beaulabreche6110]

Sweep the homeless under the rug.

[@danepilipina8780]

It’s about time the homelessness they have a place for them but they want it freedom because of their drug habits.

[@ligmaknutts2752]

If I was homeless I'd be on the West Coast or somewhere in the south

[@Amos_Lee]

People that reject help should be arrested, with probation being a mandatory rehabilitation program

[@joshgroft5682]

Sounds like tyranny.

[@maltedmilk6888]

I don't care how good their intentions were supposed to be, making this move during the coldest weather in the middle of the winter is about a cold-hearted and brutal a tactic as you can get

[@thejuayway]

word

[@AQlady10]

"Why is she doing this to people!', they don't have money!!!'- wages are extremely low!!!- what do you expect??'- wrong--

[@coatneyadkins9005]

Some cities will give their homeless population bus tickets to certain other cities and clean up... They just ship em out with a couple bucks and a ticket to become someone else's problem... Crazy

[@theunforgiven2885]

Exactly where is everyone going to go .Ya throw the tents away so they have nothing.Real nice !

[@reneel2441]

Give them shelter

[@frankihatch]

Give them a job

[@nikkitobin8356]

Congratulations Mayor ... U are the perfect example for hopefulness for the unfortunate

[@motherhoodsbeauty9279]

Maybe they should make a homeless camp where homeless people can stay until they can get back on their feet. We have a refugee so why not have a homeless camp? There is so many space in America but nobody bother to built anything to help homeless people. They won’t do anything unless it’s benefit them.

[@MsTinkerbelle87]

Like a trailer park? Lol

[@cocacola4blood365]

There was a shanty town here in Tucson that the city demolished in the 90s. Nothing was done to help the residents. The city was concerned with beautification and the residents were forced to survive elsewhere.

[@davidvincent980]

Women are creatures of compassion...

[@hooligan9950]

Jesus David when exactly did you lose your ball's?

[@justrosy5]

You have no right to define a gender with which you do not personally identify.

[@lillianwilliams5510]

This is inhumane, unless they found shelters for every person.

[@justrosy5]

And they didn't. That's 90% of what's inhumane about it. The other 10% is their "beggars can't be choosers" attitude. They treat people as sub-human just for falling on hard times that the victims didn't actually cause at all.

[@hectorquezada1331]

Most downtowns in the USA are like this

[@teddykgb89]

I wonder how many people will become homeless due to the tax increases which is paying for the current homeless.

[@lilyflowers6486]

Since they've all had their tents taken away I hope they're housed in a much better place

[@DYLAN102001]

Nope. The city may have given them 1 or 2 days in a hotel but that's it. The city just wants them gone so it doesn't look like a 3rd world country.

[@dragonfly4425]

-9 weather, great time to see how well the mask work.

[@dr.jekyll2017]

What does the temperature have to do with how a mask works.

[@dragonfly4425]

or stick your head in a deep freezer and exhale.

[@garysmith4674]

Make sure your fear filter covers your nose

[@yamarisB]

I hope this works bc its needed immediately and peacefully.

[@davidpotts3844]

The Homeless don't like alternative housing because it comes with rules to obey, no drinking ,no drugs, curfews and so on. This is why these attempts never work. I once gave my entire house to a homeless person while I was living with my girlfriend at her house. After 2 months he wanted to go back to the streets, because doing daily chores was too much for him to maintain