Bedford Plaza: Despite Rising Homeless Crisis in Commonwealth, Bedford Numbers Continue To Decline

Submitted by Rep. Kenneth Gordon (D) Bedford

While the number of families facing homelessness in Massachusetts has increased in recent weeks, the number of families assigned to the Bedford Plaza Hotel has gone down from 88 to 63 as of December 6, 2013, just three months since Rep. Ken Gordon met with officials of the Department of Housing and Community Development (“DHCD”) and convinced them that Bedford is taking on more than its share in the battle to address homelessness.

According to DHCD, 25 families have been transferred from the Bedford Plaza since the meeting, and the number of families continues to be decreased at the same pace.  DHCD undersecretary Aaron Gornstein confirmed that no new families have been assigned to the Bedford Plaza in that time, and DHCD has no plans to assign any new families.

Bedford must absorb the cost of educating the children of the families assigned to the Bedford Plaza or if the families choose to have their children return to the school of their home community, then Bedford must advance the cost of the transportation. The transportation costs are reimbursed, but not until the end of the year.

“The state has kept its promise not to send new families to the Bedford Plaza, but I am sure it is a hard promise to keep in light of the record number of families seeking shelter,” said Gordon.

Under Massachusetts law, all families with minor children are entitled to shelter.  The use of hotels and motels as emergency shelter is relied upon as a last resort, only when more appropriate and economical options are used up.  The crisis has been created, in part, by the lack of federal funding for affordable housing opportunities caused by sequestration, as well as a tightened state budget.

“The problem is complex,” said Rep. Gordon. “Many of the parents living in the hotel work low-paying jobs. Others are not able to work because they are single parents who qualify for child care but insufficient child care opportunities are available.  As Sen. Barrett has said, it is a shame that someone who works full time cannot afford to shelter and feed a family in this Commonwealth.”

“Senator Mike Barrett has joined me in speaking up for Bedford, and also in speaking up for the state to assist those who are in legitimate need of assistance to get back on track,” said Rep. Gordon.  “He has been a valuable ally for this town.”

Rep. Gordon has been assured that all families moved from the Bedford Plaza have been taken to more appropriate housing closer to their host communities.  He has been involved not only in helping move the families from the cramped emergency situation, but together with Sen. Barrett they have advocated for increased access to dental and medical care for the children. He has also helped town volunteers to provide recreational outlets for the pre-schoolers.

Turning to his pride in the Bedford community, Rep. Gordon said, “together we can address a very difficult situation in an efficient and empathetic manner. I am proud of the way Bedford has come together to rally behind a solution that focuses not only on the financial reality of the situation, but through its volunteers has worked hard to make life a little easier for those going through the crisis of homelessness.”