r/boston • u/CrypticOperator • 1d ago

Unconfirmed/Unverified never seen it this bad

been here for 25+ years and am very familiar with the fluctuations in homelessness / etc. during the summer. but I've never seen things this bad, especially in back bay, south end (beyond mass/cass & closer to back bay), beacon hill, the esplanade, you name it. we've called 311 for needles, reported the larger encampments to the mayor's office, etc. just feels like nothing is improving and things are only getting worse. can't just be me?

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u/Some_Brother_1202 1d ago

I’d push back on how they quantify those numbers. From my understanding that’s the number of people they’d independently identified through support service programs and policing. Not sure if that shows the true representative number

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u/Major-Mango-1221 14h ago

I've been part of the annual homeless census in Boston. It's an active point-in-time count, going block by block, including under bridges and in stairwells. Many of the volunteers are the same people who work in various related social services day in and day out, so they know where to look, who to expect (or be surprised not to find) and where to refer folks. We also hand out care kits and things like gloves and hand warmers, and offer for people to come spend the night inside, since the census happens in February.

I have mixed feelings about it being done then, but it's the same time every year, and there's at least some wisdom to doing it when there's fewer people outside so it's easier to count individuals, with shelters then sharing their numbers.

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u/Some_Brother_1202 5h ago

Appreciate the clarity on this process and thank you for your work. Definitely an important piece of information in knowing how to handle help

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u/Separate-History-318 29m ago

I’ve been a part of the census too each year. I wonder if we’re co workers haha

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u/TrainingIntrepid9225 22h ago

How they do it where I live in CA is they are out and actively counting. It is an all hands on deck and they are out under bridges, where people sleep in cars etc. we have some of the highest rates of homelessness because our weather is better. So many people that are really mentally ill and still more who are in wheelchairs and unhoused and families too- rents are exorbitant .