WORCESTER, Mass. - On Wednesday, the City of Worcester held an event focused on solutions to homelessness. 

For organizations like the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, it's important to have public discussions about ideas at a time when homelessness is impacting more families than any other point in the last 30 months. 

What You Need To Know

  • On Wednesday, the City of Worcester held the Summit on Housing and Community Well-Being

  • Research shows homelessness has been on a steady increase this year in Worcester

  • Local organizations are pushing for new approaches and strategies to reduce and prevent homelessness

  • Some advocates are calling on the Massachusetts Legislature to find new funding sources for affordable housing
This year, Worcester's homeless population rose by 43 percent, while the homeless population in the county rose by 45 percent. According to CMHA, 666 people in families with children were living homeless in March, the largest increase in a steady rise that began last June. 

CEO Leah Bradley said the uptick comes as no suprise given the instability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other efforts, CMHA has been advocating for more rental assistance to low-income families so they can avoid joining the growing homeless population.

"Once folks become homeless, there's a variety of issues that occur after that," said Bradley. "They have much more difficulty finding an apartment after they become homeless, we're in a housing crisis here in the city. We also know that it impacts mental health and substance use."

The Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance considers homelessness a public health crisis as well as an economic one. Executive director Joe Finn believes the City of Worcester is on the right track in viewing homelessness as a housing problem and having open community discussions. He said between local efforts, bills in the Massachusetts Legislature and federal COVID-19 relief funds, it's never been more important to stretch every dollar to its full potential. 

"I think what's missing is a rational, planned approach that really tries to target the full amount of the need, and again, organize resources appropriately," said Finn. "I think that's something that would be great for the Administration and the Legislature to address, specifically from regional perspectives."

Meanwhile, others have been left frustrated at the close of this year's legislative session because their ideas to address homelessness didn't catch on with state lawmakers. 

A coalition of housing experts wanted the Legislature to give municipalities the option of adding a transer fee to certain real estate transactions in order to collect more money for affordable housing.

"You know, it is a difficult climate to say to the Legislature 'We want to do something that's a fee' or looks like a tax when people are struggling financially," said Ellen Shachter of the Local Option for Housing Affordability Coalition. "But our job is to really get across to the Legislature how much of a priority this is for us, and why existing state and federal resources simply do not meet the demand. We need them to recognize the position cities are in at the ground level here."