I brought together a group of over 20 first responders, health professionals and social service agencies this afternoon to address the announcement by the Lowell Transitional Living Center that due to insufficient funding the shelter would cut “winter protocol”. Included were representatives from the LTLC, Lowell Police Department, LGH, Saints Medical, CTI, Community Health Center, Lowell House, Trinity Ambulance, Pathfinders, and the Wish Project. “Winter protocol” refers to the LTLC practice of providing shelter to approximately 40 individuals in extreme weather who would otherwise not meet the dry shelter requirements between the months of December and April. Given the dismal economy, rising unemployment rates and the foreclosure crisis, this winter promises to be particularly difficult for more people than ever, straining bed limits notwithstanding the impact of winter protocol.
Without the option of the shelter, first responders such as police and emergency room personnel are left to find a place for these individuals or leave them outside, where they run the risk of literally freezing to death. Aside from the very real humanitarian concern this is a financial drain on public institutions in terms of increased arrests and incarceration, higher risk of fires in abandoned buildings, costly ER visits and expensive ambulance transports. Hospital personnel framed the problem in this way, it costs approximately $30 per night to shelter an individual whereas transports and emergency room stays can cost in the thousands. A nurse from the Community Health Center added that last winter she referred a homeless person with frostbite to the emergency room where an amputation was ultimately performed. The cost for this surgery alone would likely fund the “winter protocol” practice for a number of months. Those on the front lines of the issue discussed this potential crisis and worked to develop of a short-term strategy for this winter.
I’m pleased to report that what came out of the meeting was a commitment by LTLC to establish winter protocol for December with the hope of securing funds for the remainder of the winter. Short term measures included appealing to the state for restoration of funding for winter protocol. Other social agencies in attendance offered help in terms of supplies and assistance towards a concerted fund raising effort. I was gratified today as we discussed the issue from all sides, with the people that face the very real cost of homelessness,those human, societal and financial every day. While the 10-year Plan to End Homelessness is working hard for a long term solution to this issue with an emphasis on regionalization and Housing First initiatives we cannot forget that we have a very real problem now, as evidenced by the tent camps on the Concord River. As we work towards those long term solutions we must also attend to the critical and I’m greatful for the people that attended the meeting today and are so willing to work together towards a solution.
