For nearly two years, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has been trying to address the addiction and homelessness crises concentrated at Mass. and Cass. But recently, on the program “Java with Jimmy,” she made a surprise admission — that with violence rising and some providers pulling out of the area, it's time for her administration to revamp its approach.
"This is the issue that I feel like we've been pouring a lot into," Wu said. "And I have to make a judgment call that we need to reorient and find the approach that's going to make a big difference."
What that could mean is still unclear, partly because Wu went on a planned vacation soon after. But in the days since, the future of Mass. and Cass has become the big topic in discussions of Boston politics. Adam Reilly is joined by GBH News reporter Tori Bedford and Yawu Miller, the former senior editor of the Bay State Banner, to look at the shifts that preceded Wu's comments and what a revamped Mass. and Cass policy might mean.
Do you see improvement at Mass. and Cass? And whatever the answer, what else do you think should be doing to alleviate the suffering there? Email us your thoughts at TalkingPolitics@wgbh.org, or share them via the Talking Politics page.
You can watch this discussion right now or catch the full show at 7 p.m. on GBH 2. Subscribe to the GBH News’ YouTube channel to get updates on future segments and episodes.
