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Council approves extra vouchers and orders planning for successor to Rise Up as Spalding shelter closes
Summary
After weeks of public comment from shelter residents and advocates, the council approved additional municipal housing vouchers and asked staff to scope a successor to the Rise Up cash-assistance program; the vote was 8-1 for the voucher/successor package.
The Cambridge City Council adopted an amended policy order on May 12 to add at least $1,000,000 (or 25 additional municipal housing vouchers, whichever is greater) for people affected by the impending closure of the Spalding Transitional Wellness Center and directed staff to provide a planning update on a successor to the Rise Up cash-assistance program by August 2025.
Why it matters: Spalding’s Transitional Wellness Center (TWC) has sheltered medically vulnerable and formerly unhoused residents. Residents and advocates told the council they feared being displaced without a clear transition plan. The motion responds to dozens of public commenters who pressed the council to prioritize vouchers and to continue…
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