“Two Cambridge Shelters for Homeless Families Face Closure, Affecting Eight Families”

Two shelters for homeless families in Cambridge are facing imminent closure, leaving eight families without a place to stay starting October 31. These shelters, which have been operational for over 40 years, are located at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in partnership with the Hildebrand Family Self-Help Center. The shelters, which can accommodate up to 14 families, are at risk due to funding cuts and exclusion from a state contract.

The shelters were funded through contracts with the state’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. St. Paul AME pastor Ellis Washington, who also serves on the Hildebrand board, expressed the emotional impact of the potential closure, noting the fulfillment in seeing the shelters serve families in crisis.

City councillors E. Denise Simmons and Marc McGovern have advocated for preserving these shelter locations. They introduced a policy order urging the state and Hildebrand to maintain this long-standing partnership. The closure of these shelters would mean losing their capacity and relocating families to other Hildebrand sites, potentially disrupting children’s education and community ties.

McGovern, a social worker, highlighted the challenges of homelessness, especially for children, including disruptions to schooling and loss of community support. He emphasized the importance of stability for children, particularly those needing special education services.

The situation underscores the broader issue of housing insecurity and the need for sustainable solutions to support vulnerable populations. As the community grapples with these challenges, the call to care for neighbors in need resonates with the biblical principle of loving one’s neighbor (Matthew 25:35).

Source: Read the original report