In Massachusetts, physicians with the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program have converted an empty parking lot into a military-style tent facility capable of housing, isolating, and caring for resident's experiencing homelessness.
Another facility with 70 beds has been created at a former hospital at 1515 Commonwealth Ave. in Brighton, to be operated in cooperation with the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. Watch more here!
"We at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program appreciate the Mayor's leadership in this time of crisis and are grateful for the joint partnership to combat the pandemic,” said Chief Executive Officer at Boston Health Care For the Homeless Program Barry Bock.
Barry Bock, CEO at Boston Health Care For the Homeless Program, who is partnering with the city to run the temporary facilities, praised Walsh’s leadership “in this time of crisis.”
“We are grateful for the joint partnership to combat the pandemic,” he said.
“For 140 years, the school has been turning out carpenters and other craftsmen, but since it’s been closed for the pandemic, students took all the protective equipment they had lying around that wasn’t being used and decided to donate it to the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless clinic. The clinic says they are at risk of losing $1 million a month because of COVID-19.” Watch the story here.
“The Baker-Polito Administration announced that they Newton Pavillion will be temporarily opened and staffed with an alliance of providers including, Boston Medical Center, Boston Healthcare for the Homeless, shelters including the Pine Street Inn, and the City of Boston’s COVID-19 response team to meet the coronavirus medical needs for up to 250 homeless people.”
“Governor Baker said the re-opening is in partnership with Boston Medical Center, Boston Health Care for the Homeless, a number of area shelters, and the city's COVID-19 response team.” Listen here!
“State officials said a former Boston Medical Center hospital building would reopen as a temporary location to care for the homeless who have tested positive or are awaiting test results. The facility will be run by a consortium of providers, including Boston Medical Center, Boston Healthcare for the Homeless, shelters including the Pine Street Inn, and the City of Boston’s COVID-19 response team.”
Dr. Jim O'Connell, founder of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, said he's petrified of what could lie ahead for the homeless population, which numbers roughly 2,300 people at any one time, according to the most recent data available from the city's census in January 2019. Watch more on NBC 10, Boston.
“Rather than send them to the shelter or keep them in the emergency room, we can take care of them there until their test results are back,” O’Connell said. Watch coverage on CBS News, Boston.
