Escaping Mass. and Cass: Rebuilding a life after years of homelessness

After years of struggling with homelessness and substance use disorder, Heidi King finally has a warm shower, a bed, a door with a lock and a place to call home. When Boston city officials under Mayor Michelle Wu cleared out hundreds of tents in January at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard, or “Mass. and Cass,” Heidi and more than 160 others were placed in transitional housing. And an estimated 100 people who had been living in the encampment were left behind with no place to go.
Heidi says that this is her chance to rebuild her life after more than a decade of fighting just to survive. Though she feels lucky, the past six weeks presented a challenging transition as she continues to grapple with detoxing, rebuilding relationships and coping with years of living on the street.
Filmed by Tori Bedford, Howard Powell and Joanie Tobin
Edited by Emily Judem
Reported by Tori Bedford
Produced by Emily Judem and Stephanie Leydon
Music from APM
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[@jjcross3280]

Once upon a time I was the walking dead! My favorite drug was more or what ever you had. The time came when I couldn’t get messed up enough and I couldn’t get clean no matter how hard I tried. I don’t think there’s a detox or a program around that I hadn’t walk into at least once. The day came when against my best judgement I did something different. A day at a time I began my journey out of the woods that I spent so many years walking deeply into. Life isn’t perfect but the heats on, fridge is full and the laundries done. I have full custody of my daughter, she’s happy, healthy and thriving. I was supposed to die out there like so many of my friends. Yet here I am all because one day I did something different. There’s no magical one thing, mine might be different than yours. I still have my share of shame, guilt, resentment. Getting clean didn’t make everything better it just made me better. God doesn’t make junk, there’s a life for you that befits a human being all you have to do is put the excuses down and do one thing different, you will be amazed at the gifts you’ll receive. There’s a better way I promise I know because today I walk it. God bless.

[@jonjeremy4778]

I've been by Massachusetts and Cass before. God bless anyone that can escape that nightmare. This is the Boston nobody talks about. But it's there

[@mikehaley9130]

From October to November 2020, I would walk there everyday from my housing project. It's literally a scene from the walking dead. I called my friend, got picked up on November 19th, and went west. Never went back. Ever.

[@sobrietyiscool215]

God Bless and protect these lost souls I was stuck on Kensington and Allegheny Ave running for years I didn't think getting clean was possible but it definitely is I'll never fully recover but I can choose not to pick up for another 24 hours at that's all that matters getting another day clean helping show fellow addicts that it is possible give yourself a chance you are definitely worth it.

[@darrellmoore5349]

I was sitting here or laying here feeling low and needing someone who could relate. Everyone's situation is different yet has similarities. After reading the ending captions I noticed that I am in the same stage that the lady featured in the video. Ive moved into my own affordable housing and like she said it may be hard on the street but it's hard, lonely, scary, and often times a I feel hopeless being alone in this place. No one wants to hear someone complain or often times people look at you as "snap out of it" is that easy. Even typing this message is hard for me. I just need someone to talk to who may understand. I wanna get better, stronger, and have a consistent path toward achieving a healthy productive life. I have to admit I am scared because the way I feel...

[@AloLovex]

you got this. keep pushing. God bless you. seek out support groups and positive relationships to the capacity that u can in ur current circumstance. i hope ya doing well.

[@darrellmoore5349]

@@AloLovex Amen love, I am doing much better and your words mean more than you know.

[@digginthepast1235]

I second, one minute, one hour , one step at a time , you can reverse it all I promise you .. good luck and god bless

[@kelsitourville5052]

I personally know Heidi and the housing she was put in is nicknamed new jack city and kts literally in mass and cass so she wakes up everyday to look at it when she walks out her door. I love you heidi 💗 Kelsi

[@johnalvarez5704]

GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE DRUGS DISTRIBUTION,BUT ,THERE ARE SOME POWERFUL AND DARK PEOPLE ,THAT IS TOTALLY OPPOSED TO IT. THERE IS HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY INVOLVED.

[@jadziaidaris]

My husband used to live in the building that they put Heidi in sometime in the 2000's. Though the neighborhood has always been a haven for the homeless, mentaly ill and addicts, it's a different place now than it was back then. I wish Heidi the best, but this building is just too close to Mass & Cass. It's too easy to fall back into the routine when it's right there. From addicts that I've known in the past, the only way they got clean was to get away from the scene altogether.

[@judilyntravis7679]

I did psyche and substance abuse nursing for years. I would encourage my females to wait at least a year before taking their kids back. They didn't keep you clean and sober before and they wont do it now. Buckle up buttercup, things may not always get better but they sure as hell will get different. My prayers are with all of you This was filmed alot longer than a year ago. Big Papi's grand slam from the year we broke the curse was playing on the tv.

[@galegrazutis964]

She doesn't deserve it lknow people who work and can't afford to live like her!

[@Seegie16]

She literally now has an apartment that everyone else that buys in this neighborhood, pays upwards of a million for the view

[@USA92]

As the head of the Boston Police Departments Hoemless Outreach told me "Marty hates the homeless" its good to see someone better off inspite of the city's mayors.

[@lensuber919]

The richest country in the world and we cannot even take care of the people who live here.. my heart and prayers go out to them🙏🙏

[@eyelovepi2954]

wake up Len, most of those people choose to be there so they can access drugs. goes for 90% of em

[@lensuber919]

@@eyelovepi2954 so do you know everybody circumstances in that area? I'm pretty sure you don't. Do not judge people when you don't know what they're going through. God bless those people out there.

[@MsTinkerbelle87]

How come we can’t use old buildings to house the ones that are serious about recovery?? We have so many…stop kicking them out when they screw up, they deserve understanding!

[@afj617]

even people who aren’t serious about recovery. How is someone going to get serious about it without a little place on earth where they belong. When you’re homeless, it isn’t just about living conditions. You are completely lost in the world. There’s nowhere where you ever technically belong, and many of the people you’ve loved have had to walk away from you. It is a downward spiral. Also there is no mental health system in the US that actually has available beds. We put someone on the moon but somehow affordable housing and mental healthcare are impossible.

[@az55544]

You won’t be missed!

[@user-tn3nr5fj6r]

Can anybody help me find her

[@az55544]

She can’t even find herself

[@PontiacS.]

I've known addicts with such horrible trauma, I can't blame them for getting involved with drugs.

[@PhuPham-vj4gd]

These people choose to be there where drugs a readily available. Good for people that can overcome addiction but don't label this as a homeless crisis.

[@reneestaceywelch9645]

yup.. its does not begin with homelessness.. the Mass and Cass residents are there for drugs etc.. I have to say how is it that its a crisis when people have chosen their lifestyle. as a recovering alcoholic my issues NEVER effected anyone but me..

[@allentarver6286]

Methadone Mile is out of control!!

[@scottyd8900]

I remember seeing her walking around up bmc by dunkin methadonuts ...... she still looks wacked out

[@Jimma182]

I’m sorry but you live in that beautiful studio for free!!? And still get to use?? I figured like a big space with cots and a common room shelter style I mean it’s free isn’t it but you get what people would be paying ATLEAST 2800 a month to be living in for free?? Addiction and mental health is very real of course, Help them guide them yes but this seems like so much when hard working Americans are struggling too

[@timc4765]

Only 100 people living on the street at the mile? LmfO

[@sheila5133]

Awww u mean the housing didn't straighten them up!!!! No DUH cuz they don't follow the rules or refuse following the rules of shelter, housing etc... the streets allow them to abuse substances

[@sheila5133]

It is a sad sad fact but true... I was homeless for almost a year and I watched it all and as much as my good nature tried to help it went nowhere cuz all the bad stuff just always trumped everything else

[@AtomicB-zq2cw]

An expensive hotel room for someone who is still on drugs and doesn’t work. This is the last place tax money should be going. It actually makes the problem worse, not better. The taxpayer gets used six ways to Sunday by what are, essentially, scam artists.

[@jackiearrufat4223]

Why should only the addicts get help??? Why can't a family, a clean family, get help before people that chose to be addicts???

[@galegrazutis964]

ABSOLUTELY the ""WORKING POOR "" every one is SO concerned about these junkies kids who are often criminal andont contribute to I the community only take from community. Help the DESERVING!

[@galegrazutis964]

They need to work for what they get! Lie the ones of us who aren't jimkies

[@jimbennett7283]

the mayor is a joke

[@redroseofsummer2979]

It's so selfish when these addicts bring children into the world that they can not take care of. Makes me sick.