Councilor Fitzgerald calls for regional fund and hearing to address Mass and Cass crisis

Councilor Michael Fitzgerald on July 9 filed an order asking for a hearing to explore a regional substance use disorder and mental health fund to address the crisis concentrated at the Mass and Cass area and other city locations.

Fitzgerald told the council Boston is bearing disproportionate operational and financial responsibility for services that draw users from across municipalities. He argued that neighboring cities and towns should contribute funding and infrastructure for housing, treatment, and wraparound care. "It's time for a regional solution to a regional crisis," Fitzgerald said, asking the council to coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions and relevant state agencies.

Councilors including Flynn and Murphy spoke in favor of the hearing, describing Mass and Cass as a failure of the status quo with residents and service users coming from outside Boston and urging a move from crisis response to long‑term, regionally funded solutions. Councilor Braden suggested reviewing availability of opioid‑settlement funds as a source for regional efforts.

The council referred docket 1368 to the Committee on Public Health, Homelessness, and Recovery for a hearing.

Why this matters: Mass and Cass remains a focal point for overdose, open drug use and related public health and public‑safety challenges. Councilors emphasized that long‑term solutions — housing, treatment, and coordinated care — likely require pooled regional resources and state involvement.

What’s next: the public‑health committee will schedule a hearing to gather stakeholders, municipal partners and state officials to scope fund governance, potential contributions from surrounding municipalities and use of settlement or federal funds.