Worcester Mayor Joe Petty on Homeless Ordinance Vote

Radio Worcester’s Talk of the Commonwealth · Sep 24, 2026 · 21m

Mayor Petty acknowledged the complexity of the homeless issue, emphasizing that the city is not anti-homeless and that any approach must balance compassionate services for unhoused individuals with the legitimate concerns of residents and business owners. He noted that Worcester currently has approximately 190 shelter beds for an estimated 200 people sleeping on the streets nightly, and stressed the need for more supportive housing, coordinated agency collaboration, and increased state funding. A contested $25 fine included in the ordinance drew near-universal opposition, and Councilor Gary…