State Cuts Hit Homeless Shelters

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By Miranda Grossman

Gov. Deval Patrick announced Fir day that more than $300 million in cuts would be made across the state. The area's homeless shelters are being hit hard.

In a time when money is already tight, it is getting even tighter. As part of Patrick's 9C cuts, homeless shelters across the state will lose $3 million.

"If you were going to pick the worst time, this is going to be it," said Bill Miller, executive director of the Friends of the Homeless shelter on Worthington Street.

Winter is coming and capacity is already overflowing at the Friends of the Homeless.

"As of last night we already had 15 people sleeping on the floor, over the 107 beds we have. It's very needed," Miller said.

Miller said they have not been told how much each individual shelter will lose, but he knows it will have a big impact.

"Our program has less funding than other shelters across the state, we have been advocating for an increase. To see a decrease when service needs are so high is quite a blow," he said.

The organization is about to open their winter over-flow shelter and does not have funding secured for it. Also, the cuts mean they will need to diminish their food services and security.

"Once we added a police officer here last winter, we have had a substantial decrease in the number of serious incidents," Miller said.

The shelter is in the middle of building a new resource center after recently receiving federal funds for the project. Miller said they plan to move forward without really knowing what will happen.

"We will take it a day at a time, do the best we can," he said.

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