MarbleHead Weekly News (Nov 13, 2024): Aditya Shrivastava: Homelessness crisis in Boston area 

The homelessness crisis in Massachusetts is heartbreaking. It’s not just a statistic or an abstract problem—it’s impacting the lives of thousands upon thousands of real people across our state. Over 190,141 individuals are experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts. That’s an astounding, gut wrenching number. These are people who had jobs, families, and dreams, until circumstances beyond their control swept them into the streets or shelters.

For more than 7,000 families in Massachusetts, the simple comfort of a stable home has become a distant hope, a mere luxury rather than a basic right. These families, including countless children, face a relentless struggle, deprived of the stability necessary for growth, education, and a brighter future. It’s unimaginable to think of children growing up without the security and normalcy of a place to call home.

The root of this crisis is the staggering cost of housing. In Massachusetts, the average rent for a two bedroom apartment exceeds $2,500 per month—way out of reach for so many. This forces families to make heartbreaking choices between paying rent, buying food, or accessing healthcare. With over 700,000 people living in poverty, affordable housing is an elusive goal. These aren’t just numbers— these are our neighbors, our community members, struggling to survive.

Organizations like the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless are true heroes, serving as lifelines in this devastating landscape. Their mission goes beyond just providing shelter; they work tirelessly to advocate for systemic change, fighting for affordable housing and support for the most vulnerable. Through programs like “A Bed for Every Child,” they’re making a direct impact on children’s lives, giving them the comfort and security of a bed to call their own.

This crisis demands not just our compassion, but our action. Massachusetts has the resources and the potential to solve this, but it will take a collective effort from policymakers, communities, and compassionate individuals like you and me. We must re-imagine our approach to housing, challenge the policies that perpetuate poverty, and uplift the organizations fighting for change.

The statistics are bleak, but they also sound a rallying cry. With community support and systemic reform, Massachusetts can strive towards a future where every person and every family has a place to call home—a future where homelessness is no longer an insurmountable crisis, but a challenge that, together, we have overcome.

Aditya Shrivastava is a Lynnfield resident and junior at The Governor’s Academy in Byfield, MA. He is doing research as part of his AP Stat course about correlation between self-advocacy and mental health problems among teenagers,