Boston Launches Warm Weather Plan to Decentralize Mass and Cass Services

BOSTON — July 19, 2026 — Boston launches Warm Weather Plan targeting Mass and Cass homelessness and substance use crisis. Mayor Michelle Wu, Senior Advisor Dr. Monica Burrell, Boston Public Health Commission Executive Director Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, and Chief of Housing Sheila Dillon presented the plan at a public event Saturday, citing 185 individuals moved into permanent housing, 264 served at six transitional sites since January, and 800 units of permanent supportive housing in the city's development pipeline with 300 under construction. State Representatives John Santiago and Liz Miranda noted they had secured $6.5 million from Beacon Hill to fund services and low-threshold housing. The Engagement Center near Mass and Cass will reopen for limited medical and social services only and will not resume full day-space operations; new daytime drop-in sites in other Boston neighborhoods are planned but locations remain unidentified pending responses to an outstanding RFP. City Councilor Erin Murphy, chair of the council's Public Health, Homelessness and Recovery committee, voiced support for rebuilding the Long Island Bridge to restore a comprehensive recovery campus.