Boston Launches 11-Point Warm Weather Plan for Mass and Cass Crisis

BOSTON — July 20, 2026 — Boston launches comprehensive warm weather plan targeting Mass Ave. and Melnea Cass Boulevard homelessness and addiction crisis. Mayor Michelle Wu, joined by more than 10 department heads and elected officials, presented an 11-point plan at a July 20 public event built around five goals: improving public safety, improving health and cleanliness, reducing crowding, preventing encampments, and expanding permanent supportive housing. Dr. Monica Burrell, the mayor's senior advisor leading the effort, reported that across 130 days of six transitional programs, 61 percent of residents have started medication for opioid use disorder and Boston's February unsheltered count dropped to 119 — the first decline since the pandemic. Lt. Peter Messina of BPD's Street Outreach Unit said officers made 16 arrests and issued 21 court summonses in a single week in the area, including the seizure of 131 grams of fentanyl from one individual. Chief of Housing Sheila Dillon announced 800 units of permanent supportive housing in the city's development pipeline, with 300 under active construction, while State Representative John Santiago noted $6.5 million in state funding secured for services and low-threshold housing.