BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — People facing homelessness in the City of Boston endured Tuesday's record-breaking temperatures with not much relief.
Boston was under a Heat Emergency on Tuesday, as temperatures surpassed 100 degrees and set a city record for the hottest day ever in June, according to the National Weather Service. Jeanette was one of many unhoused individuals in the city who could not escape the heat.
“It was terrible. It really was,” said Jeannette. “Where do we go? Where? And then when we try to go into the shade, they tell us to move.”
Jeannette said she was among those at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard, also known as Mass. and Cass. While volunteers reportedly helped them by handing out bottles of water, she said they were “constantly” told to move while trying to stay in the shade.
“We’re sweating, everybody’s getting aggravated with each other, fights are starting, [and] they’re arguing with the security because they’re telling us to move,” said Jeannette.
Ollie spent most of the day at a local resource center, but said his lack of “correct nutrition” meant harsher physical impacts from the heat.
“I was inside the resource center just trying to stay cool, collect my ice water, my electrolytes, and everything that I have [the need] for,” said Ollie. “But it’s not enough to get you through the day because when it’s hot like that, one bottle of water lasts one sip.”
The Boston Public Health Commission and Housing Department have emergency shelters available for those experiencing homelessness. More resources can be found on the city’s website.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.