State OK's Homeless Facility

The state yesterday approved a plan to open a 20-bed shelter for the homeless in Cambridge's Massachusetts National Guard Armory and the facility will open within two weeks, city officials said.

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Human Services (EOHS) gave "absolute support" to convert the Concord Ave. building into a shelter, said Jill Herold, the assistant city manager for human services, in a prepared statement.

Philip Mangano, Cambridge director of emergency services, said the shelter is scheduled to open February 15. Originally, the shelter was to open in mid-March.

The city of Cambridge, the state Department of public Welfare, shelter, Inc., and the EOHS are still negotiating about funding for the project, Mangano said.

The new shelter, which will be operated by Shelter, Inc. of Cambridge, has a tentative annual budget of $300,000, and the city will be asked to contribute at least $25,000, said James R. Stewart, an advocate for the homeless and a member of the committee.Private contributions will also help fund thefacility, Stewart said.

The armory's 20 beds, managed by paidprofessional staff, will just "make a dent" in theneed for shelter, Stewart said. He added, "None ofus believe that creating huge warehouse shelterswill solve the problem. We're committed tocreating small humane shelters."

A city report released last spring estimatedthere were 250 homeless people in Cambridge.Currently there are four homeless shelters inCambridge with 100 beds altogether. However, 50 ofthese beds are reserved for recovering alcoholicsand the intoxicated