Boston Council Panel Hears How Families Struggle to Navigate Multiple City Services

BOSTON — March 3, 2026 — Boston City Council committee examines coordination gaps for residents with complex caregiver and family needs. The Committee on Human Services, chaired by at-large Councillor Erin J. Murphy and co-sponsored by Councillor Edward M. Flynn, held an informational hearing March 3 on Docket 0285, bringing together Jose Maso, Chief of Human Services for the City of Boston, Boston Housing Authority Administrator Kenzie Bach, and Boston Public Schools Senior Advisor Christine Traversoni. Maso said his six-department cabinet works to "easily and seamlessly" serve complex households across agencies. Traversoni flagged the transition from school-based services to state agencies as the most fragile handoff point for families. Bach noted the BHA serves approximately 17,000 residents in its communities, with additional households through voucher programs. No votes were taken; the hearing is the first formal step toward identifying whether a more centralized navigation system for multi-need families is warranted.