a presentation titled Central Square Roundtable

Central Square Roundtable October 23, 2023 Sullivan Chamber, Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue

… and shared spaces for all 2 Nexus of many City services Central Square is a key hub at the heart of our City Only designated cultural district in the City Neighborhood to live, work, and play … and gateway to the region

Source: Cambridge Day Home | News Central Square turnaround must be a priority, starting where reports left off, councillors say By Marc Lev y Monday , September 25, 2023 An unhoused man lounges on garbage bags on Sept. 1 in Cambridge’s Central Square. … However, it also has challenges, including addressing quality of life concerns and providing appropriate support to the unhoused community 3

The City has cultivated a robust network of partnerships working across three areas to help Central Square unlock its full potential ▪ Providing a wide range of cultural activities through programming and events ▪ Enhancing public space through design improvements and expanded uses ▪ Maintaining a clean, safe, and inviting image with operations and maintenance Public Safety Social Services Public Space Activation ▪ Central Square remains a key focus area for CPD outreach and patrols ▪ Officers connect with 50-100 individuals a week, many unhoused, and offer services to all, including a grant-based partnership on post-overdose outreach ▪ CPD continues to partner with other departments and community organizations 3 1 2 ▪ Stabilizing shelter capacity ▪ Expanding permanent supportive housing resources ▪ Continuing to enhance supportive services (e.g., First Step) ▪ Focusing on harm reduction and overdose prevention 4

5 …crime has increased in Central though remains lower than historical high points Using a narrow definition of Central Square (approximating the BID)… 70 59 47 44 67 208 75 70 54 69 81 91 26 42 42 23 50 44 27 44 46 38 56 42 32 22 17 26 26 42 15 13 18 16 35 29 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Shoplifting Simple assault Larceny of bicycle Aggravated assault Malicious destruction of property Street robbery Source: CPD Crime Analysis Unit (as of 9/30/23) The Cambridge Police Department (CPD) is tracking crime data in Central Square and has seen an uptick in certain crime types 1. Public Safety

▪Extensive visibility and data-driven work is being done within our Operations and Criminal Investigations Units ▪High-impact patrols are also conducted during the day and night shifts, 7 days a week, in areas that have seen an increase in quality of life and disorder complaints ̶ Undercover officers are also deployed in the Squares to monitor and act on any criminal activity and develop intelligence on specific issues and places and refer individuals in need for follow-up ▪These high impact patrols supplement foot patrol officers assigned to the Squares every shift (7 days a week) and officers are assigned to both Central and Harvard Square ▪Strategically using Community Court arrest and summons process as a tool for people who are resistant to services and involved in petty crime 1. Public Safety Central Square is a key focus area for CPD patrol units 6

Officers connect with 50-100 individuals a week, many unhoused, and offer services to all, including a grant-based partnership on post-overdose outreach ▪Officers and staff are: ̶ Seeking to locate and help any unhoused residents who may be in need of services ̶ Looking to identify and mitigate any active substance use, drug transactions, abandoned property, and trespassing violations ▪On average officers are connecting with approximately 50-100 individuals a week, many unhoused, in these areas ̶ All are offered services ̶ Many accept a Cambridge Continuum of Care “Homeless Services Update” that helps locate and access temporary and longer-term shelter options, as well as showers, public toilets, food options, and more. ̶ Food, water, blankets, and other needed items are also distributed, as available/when appropriate ▪Clinical support unit and social workers are central to response including getting records of unhoused sealed so people can get housing ▪Supported by a grant-based partnership with Access: Drug User Health Program on post-OD outreach 7 1. Public Safety

DHSP and the Department of Public Health are working to stabilize emergency shelter capacity, expand permanent supportive housing, enhance supportive services, and reduce overdoses 2. Social Services 8 The level of homeless dedicated resources and mainstream affordable housing outmatched by scale of issues and need Prioritizing the most vulnerable/highest service need clients for limited housing opportunities generates challenges including for referral, vacancy time, service provision, etc. Stabilizing emergency shelter capacity ▪ Funding Salvation Army Emergency Shelter and daytime drop-in ($1.3M) ▪ Continuing funding for seasonal Warming Center ($475k/year) ▪ Extending lease and shelter services at Transitional Wellness Center ($3M/year) 1 Expanding permanent supportive housing ▪ Emergency housing and mainstream vouchers ▪ Funding 6 FTE housing navigators/stabilization workers ($3M) ▪ 116 Norfolk St. Development: 62 studio units supporting people transitioning out of homelessness ($10M in funding provided by CAHT) 2 Enhancing supportive services ▪ Increased funding for stabilization services ($235k), coordinated entry ($200k/year) ▪ Shower services ($150k/year) and food support ($185k) ▪ Street outreach: First Step Street Medicine ($900k) 3 Reducing harm and preventing overdoses ▪ Expanding accessibility to Naloxone, Narcan, and fentanyl test strips ▪ Raising awareness through PSA campaigns and training ▪ Including consumer voices in decision-making 4

In 2023, the City stepped up to preserve ~100 emergency shelter beds for homeless individuals Emergency shelter -7 YoY change Name Pre- COVID 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 (anticipated) Emergency Services Center (240 Albany) 97 60 60 60 60 Cambridge Warming Center (Seasonal) 49 30 40 40 40 Salvation Army Emergency Shelter 43 35 35 40 40 Harvard Square Homeless Shelter (Seasonal) 29 15 15 15 15 Y2Y Harvard Square (Seasonal) 27 18 22 22 22 Heading Home Emergency Shelter 21 0 0 0 0 First Church Shelter 14 14 14 14 14 St. Pat's (Somerville) 32 20 27 27 27 Transition Wellness Center (Spaulding) N/A 58 58 58 58 Green St. Shelter (State funded) N/A 55 52 58 58 Total 312 305 323 334 334 18 11 0 City preserved 58 beds by extending lease to June 2025 City preserved 40 beds by providing $1.3M+ in FY23 and FY24 after state funding ended 2. Social Services 9 Source: Staff analysis

And on a per capita basis, Cambridge provides more adult emergency shelter beds to homeless individuals than any city or town across the state Source: HUD 2022 Housing Inventory Count (HIC) raw data file, U.S. Census population estimates 2.29 2.03 1.71 1.63 1.52 1.45 1.11 0.71 0.70 0.59 0.48 0.44 Cambridge Boston Brockton Springfield Lowell Quincy Worcester Lynn Lawrence Fall River Somerville New Bedford Newton Medford Brookline Watertown 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Per capita emergency shelter beds for homeless households without children only (including overflow and seasonal) 0.57 statewide 2. Social Services 10 Note on methodology: • Figure presented is based on the raw data from HUD’s 2022 Housing Inventory Count (HIC) report. This analysis includes only emergency shelter beds for homeless individuals, including all overflow and seasonal beds reported. • Although Boston contains the lion’s share of the state’s emergency shelter capacity, when family shelter beds are excluded and population is considered, Cambridge has a higher density of shelter beds for homeless individuals

‒ Leveraged ARPA funding to pair Housing Navigation and Stabilization supports with Emergency Housing Vouchers allocated to Cambridge Housing Authority to rehouse over 120 households experiencing or at risk of homelessness ‒ In Federal FY23 (Oct. 1, 2022 – Sept. 30, 2023), 173 households have exited homeless situations in Cambridge to stable housing – including through the Emergency Housing Voucher program, placements to Continuum of Care Permanent Supportive Housing, and other housing such as SROs and mainstream public housing ‒ DHSP has increased funding to nonprofit partners for services to support stable tenancies at YMCA, YWCA and St. Paul’s ‒ City has committed significant funds toward the CHA redevelopment and expansion of 116 Norfolk Street; DHSP has participated in planning and will be referral source for identifying individuals exiting chronic homelessness for placement at the property DHSP continues to generate positive housing outcomes for vulnerable populations and is working to increase Permanent Supportive Housing inventory Summary of Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Awards 2. Social Services 11 Source: HUD Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Data Dashboard

Medical Street Outreach is a great example of partnering with community organizations to address our community’s needs First Step provides mobile outreach services in Cambridge and Somerville and services have recently expanded: ̶ Daytime shifts Monday through Thursday, in addition to regular 7 days/week from 2 pm - midnight ̶ Care from a physician (Cambridge Health Alliance physician has been joining street outreach team 3 shifts/week since mid-2020) ̶ Medical team has expanded to include a Nurse Practitioner, phlebotomist and a Community Health Worker starting in November ̶ Basic needs supplies (including food, water, clothing, and toiletries) ̶ Safe injection supplies (clean needles and personal sharps containers) and Narcan ̶ Connections to shelters including information and transportation ̶ Partnering with multiple agencies to expand supplemental services available on van – Department of Mental Health; Housing Navigators; transports to Homeless and Mental Health court sessions ̶ Working to add another outreach van to support growth of the street medicine program 2. Social Services 12

13 Cambridge Public Health Department is taking action to reduce overdoses and reduce harm ▪Reducing overdoses ̶ Naloxone and fentanyl test strip distribution events ̶ NaloxBox accessibility at City buildings ̶ Medication takeback events ̶ Pilot project with Harvard students to provide Narcan vending machines and CPR face shields. ▪Awareness and training ̶ PSA campaign (BlueBikes, MBTA buses) including maps of nearest Narcan sites ̶ Overdose prevention training sessions ▪Consumer voice and inclusion ̶ Incorporating a consumer voice in decision-making 2. Social Services 13

14 Providing a wide range of cultural activities PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS Enhancing public space through design DESIGN IMPROVEMENTS & EXPANDED USES Maintaining a clean, safe, and inviting image OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE Public Space Activation 3. Public Space Activation 14

Return of the 2023 City-Wide Dance Party 3. Public Space Activation: Programming and Events 15

Play Street for all ages on Temple Street 16 3. Public Space Activation: Programming and Events 16

Dance Happens Here 17 3. Public Space Activation: Programming and Events 17

Activating Norfolk Street 3. Public Space Activation: Programming and Events 18

RootsUprising Artist Residency 19 3. Public Space Activation: Programming and Events 19

20 Inclusive and welcoming spaces 3. Public Space Activation: Programming and Events 20

21 Spontaneous play in the public realm 3. Public Space Activation: Programming and Events 21

22 Cambridge Arts River Festival 3. Public Space Activation: Programming and Events 22

23 3. Public Space Activation: Programming and Events Music in the Square 23

29th year of Cambridge Carnival in Central Square 3. Public Space Activation: Programming and Events 24

25 Season 4 of Starlight Square, 65 Events (June-October) 3. Public Space Activation: Programming and Events 25

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CSQ Farmers Market Celebrates 45 years in the Square 3. Public Space Activation: Programming and Events 27

28 Graffiti Alley, celebrates 10 + years of free Public Art 3. Public Space Activation: Programming and Events 28

29 River Street and Carl Barron Plaza Redesign 3. Public Space Activation: Design Improvements & Expanded Uses 29

30 Sophy Tuttle commissioned to design mural imagery on the ribbon: https://sophytuttle.com/murals River Street and Carl Barron Plaza Redesign 3. Public Space Activation: Design Improvements & Expanded Uses

31 Outdoor Dining 3. Public Space Activation: Design Improvements & Expanded Uses 31

32 Mass Ave – Bigelow Street to Sidney Street 3. Public Space Activation: Design Improvements & Expanded Uses 32

33 ▪Trash bins are emptied seven days a week, twice a day. ▪Compactors and open barrels are washed monthly. ▪The streets are mechanically swept daily between April and December. ▪A vacuum sidewalk sweeper is deployed daily between April and December. ▪Hand-crews for sidewalk sweeping are stationed in Squares year-round. ▪Needle drop boxes were installed at 4 locations within Central Square, and needles are collected daily by BID staff. DPW / Central Square Business Improvement District (BID) Partnership 3. Public Space Activation: Operations & Maintenance 33

34 BID Ambassadors in Action (expanded coverage now 6am –11pm) 3. Public Space Activation: Operations & Maintenance 34

Lighting 3. Public Space Activation: Operations & Maintenance 35

36 36 “In Central I Can” Campaign – Vacancy to Vibrancy 3. Public Space Activation: Operations & Maintenance

Providing a wide range of cultural activities PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS • More cultural events • More play streets • Senior and family-specific programming Enhancing public space through design DESIGN IMPROVEMENTS & EXPANDED USES • District-wide wayfinding and lighting • Beautifying physical infrastructure • Public patios Maintaining a clean, safe, and inviting image OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE • Vacant storefront activation 37 … And more to come! 3. Public Space Activation

38 Questions?