Homelessness, Addiction & Public Health
Mayor Ballantyne opened Somerville’s first, overnight warming center, which provides meals and connects unhoused individuals with housing and other services. She opened a new Engagement Center to expand services for unhoused persons. The Engagement Center is thriving. Mayor Katjana Ballantyne installed the nation’s first outdoor dual sharps disposal kiosk at Seven Hills Park, in Davis Square. She chose this location based on data from police calls and 311 requests, which indicated a need for a more accessible disposal option.
Mayor Ballantyne's approach seeks to address drug use in public parks through a combination of public safety measures, and compassionate public health initiatives. Her focus is on maintaining safe and accessible public spaces for all residents, while also providing support and resources to individuals struggling with addiction, mental health issues, and homelessness
Mayor Ballantyne advises residents to call 911 if they see any potentially harmful behavior, such as public drug use, or people in distress. In the case of discarded sharps or needles, to call 311 for safe removals of hazards by trained DPW staff. Her administration has published a brochure listing helpful information and resources for keeping safe
Mayor Ballantyne’s administration has created outreach and support services including, the Community Health Worker Division, launched in 2023, to connect residents with social and health services, including harm reduction education and support for the Somerville Homeless Coalition
Mayor Katjana Installed the First Outdoor Sharps Disposal Kiosk in the United States
Mayor Katjana Ballantyne installed the nation’s first outdoor dual sharps disposal kiosk at Seven Hills Park, in Davis Square. She chose this location based on data from police calls and 311 requests, which indicated a need for a more accessible disposal option.
Somerville’s first Overnight Warming Center
Mayor Ballantyne opened Somerville’s first, overnight warming center, which provides meals and connects unhoused individuals with housing and other services
Older Adults Bridge Program
Mayor Ballantyne has coordinated actively on initiatives such as the "Older Adults Bridge Program" aimed at reducing senior homelessness starting in 2025
Public safety and community presence
Mayor Ballantyne started, "Park Walk and Talks," during which, Police officers engage with the public in parks, making themselves more accessible and fostering community relationships
Mayor Ballantyne seeks a balanced approach to law enforcement. She emphasizes "treatment rather than punishment," while also seeking to prevent open drug use in public spaces. Police Chief Shumeane Benford echoes this, stating that homelessness and addiction cannot be solved by police alone
Mayor Katjana works to address underlying issues
She is focused on housing, her administration recognizes the critical role of affordable housing in addressing addiction, emphasizing that stability is essential for individuals to engage in meaningful recovery efforts
- If you have any questions, please consult this information, or call 311
- In any case that seems dangerous to you or anyone else, don’t hesitate to call 911 for help
- https://s3.amazonaws.com/somervillema-live/s3fs-public/When you SEE someone IN DISTRESS v2.pdf
- https://www.somervillema.gov/news/somerville-installs-nations-first-out…
- Created the city’s first overnight warming centers with cots, and access to services for unhoused persons
- Funded a new day-time Engagement Center to expand services for unhoused persons
- The Engagement Center is thriving, and I am happy to say we've opened Somerville’s first City-sponsored overnight warming center.
- Our new warming center will be open not just for a handful of nights but for the winter. Somerville is a community that understands we need to keep our unsheltered residents warm and connected to resources
- Focus on Support and Treatment: Ballantyne and the city of Somerville are focused on providing immediate support for unhoused people, including access to services and resources.
- Addressing Underlying Issues: She believes in addressing the root causes of homelessness, such as addiction and lack of affordable housing.
- Avoiding Criminalization: Ballantyne is against the criminalization of homelessness, emphasizing treatment and support over punishment.
- Somerville Engagement Center: The city, in partnership with the Somerville Homeless Coalition, opened a new Engagement Center to provide more robust support services for unhoused residents.
- Balancing Public Safety and Compassion: She recognizes the need to balance public safety concerns with compassion for unhoused individuals, particularly those struggling with addiction.
"We're addressing a humanitarian crisis that's happening now in our city," said Mayor Ballantyne, "A key part of my administration's approach is not allowing the criminalization of homelessness," the mayor said. "The opening of Somerville's new daytime Engagement Center is a game changer; allowing us to provide more robust support services for some of our most vulnerable community members,” said Mayor Katjana Ballantyne.
