A tragic story out of West Springfield brings to the forefont some of the decisions, which have been being made by state housing officials for years. In the article it is reported that "28 rooms in the Clarion were rented by a state housing assistance program."
If you check the Clarion website you find the cheapest rates at the West Springfield site is $79.95 per night (5 night stay). A one month stay, about $2,400 per room, could rent at least two apartments in the surrounding community. The full cost of the 28 rooms, about $67,200, could house more than double the people served for the cost.
The Boston Globe has also reported on these expenses, A room to call home. The Globe reported that the state was spending on average $85 per night for rooms, and people were staying for as long as three months. At a expense of $2 million per month - $2,663 per month per family. The Globe goes on to point out that these situations lead to increase crime calls (MassLive reports gang members taking advantage of the rooms), and safety violations.
While many people simply oppose affordable housing programs, the vast majority understand the need to meet the needs of those in need. However, waste, such as is illustrated in these two stories lead to outrage that ripples into opposition to all efforts. Understandably, emergency shelter is needed, but the goal needs to make these stays as short as possible - perhaps stays as short as one week, moving people to permanent housing in days, not months.
No comments:
Post a Comment