Addressing Unsheltered Homelessness and Substance Use Disorder From Tent Encampment to Safe Spaces, Boston 2021-2022

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Urban Planning
• Social Services

Background:

• Rising unsheltered homelessness and substance use disorder in US urban tent encampments.
• Need for effective public health strategies to address complex urban challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline Boston's public health approach to managing tent encampments.
• To detail the implementation of a multi-component strategy for unsheltered populations.

Main Methods:

• Centralized leadership with cross-agency collaboration.
• Establishment of low-threshold harm reduction spaces.
• Person-centered engagement and stakeholder-driven planning.

Main Results:

• Equitable transition of unsheltered individuals into supportive spaces.
• Successful foundation for future encampment response strategies.
• Demonstrated effectiveness of a coordinated public health model.

Conclusions:

• Boston's public health approach offers a replicable model for addressing urban homelessness and substance use.
• Integrated strategies are crucial for effective and equitable encampment management.
• Long-term planning and collaboration are key to sustainable solutions.