Boston mayor says city helped dozens on ‘Methadone Mile’ find treatment, housing

BOSTON — City outreach workers have helped more than 60 people along Boston’s notorious ‘Methadone Mile’ find inpatient treatment, shelter and transitional housing, Acting Mayor Kim Janey said Friday. The city also removed more than two dozen tents and debris, she said.

“We will continue to use a public health approach and treat every individual with dignity. This work is urgent but should not be confused with sweeps conducted in years past,” Janey said.

The difference along Southampton Street is noticeable. Sidewalks packed with homeless camps and people openly using drugs last week were nearly empty Friday.

“They’ve gotten rid of all of the tents for the most part, and most of the people have gone with them,” said Gina Montagna, a 41-year-old homeless woman near Methadone Mile.

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But around the corner from Southampton are dozens of tents and homeless people on Atkinson Street. Mayor-elect Michelle Wu said this is an urgent issue that requires proper housing and mental health treatment.

“The key here is that we need to move as quickly as possible to connect residents seeking treatment with stable housing,” Wu said.

The city began posting notices on tents along Southampton Street and Atkinson Street last month, warning camp dwellers they had a deadline to find another place to stay.

“Due to health, environmental and sanitary concerns…the City of Boston will conduct a cleanup of this public space,” the notices said.

The city warned any property left at that time would be thrown out by workers.

The clean-up by Mass Ave. and Melnea Cass Blvd. is part of Mayor Kim Janey’s Oct. 19 executive order to deal with the homeless camps that have overrun that area. The city released its finalized Boston Homeless Encampment Liaison Protocol plan Friday.

“City employees will provide at least 48 hours verbal and written notice to affected individuals, prior to requiring removal of tents from public property,” the plan said. “No unsheltered individual will be required to remove their tent, unless shelter, housing, or treatment is available.”

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The protocol also offers service outreach “at least twice to each person,” including drug treatment services, access to shelter, transportation to shelter or treatment, free personal storage for 90 days, and help contacting family members.

Mayor Janey’s press team declined to provide more specific numbers on how many people have been removed from Methadone Mile. A spokesperson said no one has been arrested or charged for refusing to leave.

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