Examining Boston's Winter Warming Response

By Elle Palumbo, Storytelling and Engagement Intern

In December, there was outrage from the community when 62 year old Carnell Curry died outside South Station due to the freezing conditions - a cold snap that took the lives of dozens of people nationwide. South Station, which in previous years has been open to the unsheltered in order to protect them from freezing temperatures, was turning homeless people away and forcing them to leave the station. The news sparked debate from Boston residents urging the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the city of Boston to prioritize unhoused individuals throughout the consistent cold temperatures in the city.

Carnell Curry

Boston City Councilor Miniard Culpepper stated in a written resolution, “His [Curry’s] preventable death highlights the consequences of gaps [in the] cold-weather response of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and the city of Boston for unhoused individuals.” He argued that properties owned or controlled by the city should be open to the homeless population during such extreme cold weather. A stance recognizing not just their imperative need for warmth, but also their status as Boston residents.

At the February 11th Boston City Council meeting, a resolution was unanimously passed calling for the MBTA and the city to support unhoused individuals during extreme weather conditions, prompting the MBTA to finally reopen South Station to homeless people during the February 22nd blizzard. At the February 25th Council meeting, an order to a hearing was introduced to examine weather emergency policies for homeless individuals and create a plan for coordination between homelessness assistance providers and the MBTA.

During cold months, the city offers several emergency shelters throughout the city, and provides warming centers at all Boston Centers for Youth and Families locations and libraries. The Pine Street Inn, the region's largest homeless services provider, offers consistent 24/7 housing for homeless individuals, but had been over capacity during the coldest weeks of the season, causing many homeless individuals to be forced to find housing elsewhere or even being forced to remain outdoors.

Naturally, there is an increased demand for the emergency shelters in the winter, with this year demonstrating an 18% increase in demand for shelter services compared to previous years. Safety concerns for shelters rise as capacities begin to overload: potential violence, drug use, and mental health crises can occur. Homeless individuals might even avoid shelters altogether due to these same issues.

Extreme cold can not only take a toll on the already homeless population, but also can lead to new homelessness within vulnerable populations. Due to the aging infrastructure of a good portion of New England’s housing heating can become a problem, leading to either a high heating bill or inadequate heat. Individuals without adequate heat can feel the effects, including risks of hypothermia and respiratory conditions, while individuals dealing with high heating bills are at risk for missing payments, eviction, and eventual homelessness.

Homeless individuals are being negatively impacted by the gaps between the MBTA and the city in regards to housing during emergencies, resulting in overcrowding in shelters, and extreme danger for people having no choice but to stay outside during cold weather. There needs to be an extreme focus on the homeless community during the winter, with rules put in place to protect our homeless neighbors and work towards ending deaths due to exposure.

To help your homeless neighbors, there are many resources you can contact and donate to in Boston, including the Pine Street Inn, The Boston Living Center, The Boston Warm Day Center at the Emmanuel Church, HomeStart, and the City of Boston Office of Housing Stability. Individuals can also benefit from donated warm coats, hats, gloves, blankets, and sleeping bags. Your contribution, attention and donation can help make sure that no one is left out in the cold next winter.