Oppose the Permanent Conversion of the Envision Hotel into a Low Threshold Shelter
Since the "temporary" opening of the low threshold shelter at the former Envision Hotel at 81 S Huntington in November 2021, our neighborhood has declined significantly. Theft, vandalism, loitering, littering, open drug use, and discarded needles are now a part of daily life. The operator of the shelter, Victory Programs Inc., is attempting to change the zoning to make this shelter a permanent fixture in our neighborhood. We cannot let this stand.
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Hello,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed zoning change to permanently convert 81 South Huntington Ave. into a homeless shelter.
When the shelter initially opened, city officials assured residents that this would be a temporary solution. Since the shelter began operating, our neighborhood has experienced a significant decline in safety and quality of life, including an increase in theft, open drug use, discarded needles, harassment of residents, and serious sanitation issues. Despite repeated outreach through 311 and community meetings, Victory Programs, Inc. has failed to respond meaningfully to our concerns.
Our community is diverse and historically underserved. We support compassionate solutions to homelessness, but those solutions must be safe, well-managed, and equitable.
I urge you to reject this proposal and advocate for a fairer, more sustainable path forward.
Sincerely,
[Full Name]
[Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who are we?
We are a group of local residents and business owners in the South Huntington Corridor united by serious concerns regarding the permanent conversion of the Envision Hotel into a homeless shelter. Our members have directly experienced negative impacts from the current low-threshold shelter, including increased drug activity, discarded needles, trash, vandalism, harassment, and serious safety issues. We are committed to advocating for safer, more effective, and equitable solutions.
2. What is the proposal, and how will it affect me?
Victory Programs seeks city Zoning Board of Appeal approval to permanently convert the Envision Hotel at 81 S. Huntington Avenue into a low-threshold homeless shelter. Initially, this facility was established as a temporary measure during the Mass & Cass crisis, but now Victory Programs wants permanent status, despite significant neighborhood concerns. If approved, we anticipate continued increases in safety issues, crime, drug activity, trash, and negative impacts on community stability and property values.
3. Are you against helping the homeless?
Absolutely not. We firmly believe in compassionate and effective solutions to homelessness. Our opposition is specifically against the manner in which this shelter has been implemented and managed and what the proposed zoning change seeks to continue. We advocate for shelters that are well-managed, secure, and distributed fairly across the city. Examples from other cities demonstrate that smaller, service-intensive programs have higher success rates in helping unhoused individuals achieve lasting stability. We don't believe that a low-threshold shelter without more stringent conditions is compatible with a residential neighhborhood.
4. Why does the group oppose this particular proposal?
Our opposition stems from consistent, unaddressed neighborhood concerns surrounding the shelter such as rising crime rates, drug activity, public safety threats, sanitation issues, and harassment of residents. Additionally, Victory Programs has demonstrated a low success rate in transitioning clients out of homelessness and has repeatedly dismissed legitimate neighborhood feedback, raising doubts about their capability and willingness to thoughtfully manage a permanent shelter.
5. What are the specific safety concerns with a low-threshold shelter in our neighborhood?
Our primary concerns include:
- Significant increases in theft, vandalism, and violent incidents—including a recent deadly shooting.
- A dramatic rise in drug-related activities, with discarded needles frequently found throughout neighborhood parks and streets. View needle reports map.
- Harassment and intimidation of residents, particularly women, near the shelter.
- Sanitation issues, unmanaged trash, and vermin problems.
6. What exactly is a "low-threshold" shelter?
A low-threshold shelter accepts individuals without requiring sobriety, participation in support programs, or background checks. While these shelters aim for accessibility, they can also present greater challenges related to safety, neighborhood impacts, and client success if not effectively managed.
7. Won't this shelter reduce homelessness in our neighborhood?
The shelter operator Victory Programs' own data indicates only a roughly 30% success rate in transitioning individuals to permanent housing. Without robust management and adequate resources, low-threshold shelters often become magnets for increased homelessness, drug activity, and related issues rather than solutions.
8. Who can I contact with concerns or questions?
We encourage you to reach out directly to local government officials and Victory Programs to voice your concerns clearly and respectfully. We have created an email template above which includes the email addresses of the relevant city officials.
9. Has the city conducted proper community outreach or impact studies?
No. To date, the city has not conducted adequate community engagement, allowing only limited opportunity for neighbors to be publicly heard on this issue, nor has the city or Victory Programs, Inc. provided transparent environmental or impact studies addressing critical issues such as public safety, crime, and sanitation. We urge the city to perform a thorough impact analysis and engage transparently with community stakeholders before any further decisions are made.
10. How can I get involved or stay informed?
Together, we can advocate for safer, fairer, and more effective solutions for our community.
Upcoming Events
-
Shelter Opposition Neighborhood Meeting – April 15, 2025 at 7 PM – Join us in discussing our community's future.
- Join Zoom Meeting – Meeting ID: 834 0948 0336
- Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council Zoning Committee – April 16, 2025 at 7:40 PM – Victory Programs, Inc. will present their shelter proposal to the JPNC Zoning Committee.
- Zoning Board of Appeal Hearing – May 6, 2025 at 9:30 AM – The Zoning Board of Appeal will consider whether to allow the shelter proposal.
Mark your calendars and join us to help make a difference in our community!
Needle Reports Map
Explore an interactive map of needle reports from around Boston that illustrate the impact on our community.
For more information please contact us at