HOLYOKE — Anthony Santana Merced and Raiza Domenech sleep in a tent near McNulty Park, surrounded by pallets wrapped in chicken wire — not to keep people out, but to keep animals away.
Their makeshift home sits at the center of a growing conversation about homelessness in Holyoke. City officials, led by Mayor Joshua A. Garcia, recently began visiting encampments like theirs to offer support and gather information for a new plan aimed at balancing public safety with compassion.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
