WORCESTER – HALO Worcester, a group that seeks to empower the voices of the unhoused population and advocate toward solutions to homelessness, will hold a rally at Worcester City Hall on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 2 PM to 4 PM.
The group seeks support for a sanctioned encampment site for unhoused individuals within the city. They do not have a preferred location, but would like a location near a bus route and other essential services.
The rally follows the death of Mary Anne Audette, 49, on Saturday, Oct. 26, after a fire where she was camping. According to the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, Audette came from a family history of drug addiction and survived sexual abuse as a minor. She also struggled with substance abuse, but worked full time and lived in an apartment until the death of her live-in partner, father, sister-in-law, and brother over about an 18-month period between 2014 and 2015. The resulting depression led to addiction and homelessness.
HALO Worcester says Audette’s death was an avoidable tragedy and highlights the need for a sanctioned encampment.
During a protest at the temporary homeless shelter at the former RMV location on Main Street in Worcester, protestors claimed the location discriminated against women and people within the LBGTB community and had a complex admittance system. The South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC), which operates the shelter, disputed those claims.
The city recently announced the shelter at the former RMV site will open again for the coming winter. It said it hoped the shelter would open sometime in November.
Others claim shelters can be dangerous places, and that they felt more safe camping with others.
Proponents of sanctioned encampment sights say basic sanitation and other resources provided on site are less expensive and are sometimes more effective. Opponents argue the public health concerns outweigh other potential benefits.
