Readers say new shelter overflow site is ‘unfair’ to Roxbury residents
The Melnea A. Cass Recreational Complex in Roxbury opened its doors to migrants on Wednesday.
The Melnea A. Cass Recreational Complex in Roxbury opened its doors Wednesday to house migrants who have been sleeping at Logan Airport, as the state’s already overwhelmed emergency shelter system reaches a new breaking point.
The complex is run by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and can house up to 400 people, Gov. Maura Healey said at a news conference Wednesday evening.
Overflow sites such as the Cass complex are temporary locations for migrants waiting for a place in the state’s maxed-out emergency shelter program. As of Wednesday, there are just over 7,500 families in the system, according to assistance placement data. More than half are staying in overflow hotel and motel units, which are used when traditional shelters are not available.
Healey said the plan to turn the rec center into an overflow site is a temporary one, adding that the facility will be reopened to the public by June. But local residents have been critical of the plan to open a shelter at the recreation center, saying the neighborhood is already overburdened and under-resourced, and the plan will disrupt vital programs residents rely on.
When Said Hassan Ahmed, a co-founder of Boston United Track and Cross Country, a nonprofit that provides a free track-and-field program to Boston youth, walked into the complex on Saturday, he told the Boston Globe his program was left “homeless.”
“Folks at the front desk were like, ‘Just to let you know, today’s your last day.’ … We were told that our permit was revoked and we were out,” Ahmed told the Globe.
Boston.com readers were critical of the Healey administration’s move. When we asked what they thought of the plan, the majority (83%) said they disagreed with it, with 14% in agreement.
Many readers said it is unfair that Roxbury and the residents served by the recreation center will bear the brunt of the issue, while whiter and more affluent neighborhoods remain unburdened. About 85% of Roxbury’s 53,000 residents are people of color, and the neighborhood’s median household income is about $38,000, compared to the citywide median income of $81,000.
“[It is] hugely unfair to take this resource from the community,” Kacie from Winchester said, adding, “Why not a place in Newton or Wellesley?”
Heather S. from Somerville agreed, saying “dumping these people in the already underserved Roxbury community is not helping anyone. It’s just a sloppy attempt to divert the problem onto a neighborhood without NIMBY powers.”
Other readers, like Daniel from Boston suggested overflow sites would be better suited for communities like “Weston, Lincoln, or Wellesley that have some great facilities,” and even Harvard and MIT buildings.
“Why does Roxbury have to take it on the chin?” he asked.
Below, see responses from readers in the Roxbury neighborhood and surrounding communities sharing their thoughts on the overflow shelter at the Cass complex.
Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
‘It comes across as tone-deaf overall’
“To take away a space that the community heavily relies on without asking the community members is incredibly disrespectful.” – Mira T., Roxbury
The state should handle this without removing resources for locals. They should build facilities or identify other existing unused resources.” – Richard, Dorchester
“This action was taken with total disregard for the interests of the residents of Roxbury.” – C.C., Mattapan
“The good people of this community have been negatively impacted by the opioid and homeless crisis. Now we have a migrant crisis impacting what limited services and resources the community gets. Our elected officials from city and state through to the federal government have failed us.” – Fredo K., Dorchester
“It’s ridiculous that the residents of Roxbury, especially the youth, have to shoulder this burden. Surely the state must have other buildings that could be used, that would be better suited to housing migrant families, and that would not displace youth sports. It comes across as tone-deaf overall. Migrant families deserve decent, comfortable and private living quarters. And families in Roxbury deserve access to their recreational facility. It’s a bad plan.” – A.B.H., Jamaica Plain
“Use DCR or other state facilities in wealthier cities and towns. They should pitch in as well. Boston is already carrying the burden of the opioid epidemic as well as the bulk of migrant homeless folks. All should pitch in, not just Boston and much less the most burdened neighborhood. This is inequitable. And I say this as a migrant myself!” – Anonymous reader, East Boston
‘This is a good, timely decision’
“It’s winter, [it’s] cold outside, people need shelter, food hygiene, bathrooms, medicine supplies, medical care, etc. Children need to be in school daycare for parents to get jobs. God help them all get a better life in Mass.” – Cheryl, Mattapan
“Massachusetts has the capacity to provide shelter for all unhoused individuals, migrants and not, but has lacked motivation to do so. This is a good, timely decision. Any discomfort experienced by residents is minor compared to the discomfort of sleeping in an airport or an emergency shelter.” – Alex, Boston
“As a sanctuary city, it is incumbent upon us to host anyone that comes to Boston. It is not the fault of these immigrants that our politicians can’t plan appropriately for the outcomes of their own policy. Now we have to put them wherever they’ll fit.” – Jim, South End
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.
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