Health Care Provider’s Shelter for Young Mothers Faces Cleanliness Issues
A health care provider’s shelter for young mothers in Brockton, Massachusetts, has been plagued by bed bugs and mice, highlighting a wider issue of cleanliness in vulnerable housing. Despite numerous complaints and several extermination efforts, bed bugs continued to infest the facility, causing discomfort and bites for the young mothers living there. The problem was so significant that a former foster parent filed a complaint with the Department of Children and Families.
The shelter, known as Ruth House, is run by Ascentria Care Alliance, a large New England health care provider. They have made extensive efforts since December to control the recurring bed bug problem, but the issue persisted until a July extermination finally seemed to be effective. However, now the residents are facing another pest problem—mice. These rodents are leaving droppings in dresser drawers and bites in their food, further compromising the cleanliness and safety of the shelter.
This situation sheds light on a broader problem. Places intended to provide safe spaces for vulnerable individuals often struggle to maintain a clean environment. According to Kelly Turley, associate director for the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, such conditions are not uncommon and can be discouraging, overwhelming, and disempowering for the residents.
Ruth House, which was founded 25 years ago, provides shelter for pregnant women and young mothers aged 13 to 22 who have experienced abuse, neglect, addiction, or other extraordinary circumstances. Some residents are teenagers who are still in the state’s child welfare system, while others are escaping domestic violence. Ascentria claims to respond quickly to resident complaints and has implemented additional precautions, such as monthly pest checks and requiring residents to change their clothes and put them in a dryer upon returning to the home.
Since December, Ascentria has spent more than $9,000 on pest control expenses at Ruth House. Bed bug treatments have been carried out on multiple occasions, including visits in December, March, and July. The most recent visit in August involved treating the house for rats and mice. The Department of Children and Families received a complaint about Ruth House, prompting an investigation and temporary suspension of new residents. However, the department did not disclose the outcome of the investigation.
Experts suggest that the presence of pests in congregate housing facilities is not surprising, given their limited resources to address such problems effectively. Extermination efforts are not always 100 percent successful, and pests like bed bugs can persist despite repeated treatments. Cesia Sanchez, director of housing programs at Casa Myrna, which runs residential facilities for domestic violence victims, stated that replacing mattresses with plastic sheaths and switching from wood to metal bed frames had made a significant difference in controlling bed bug infestations.
Ruth House is part of Massachusetts’ Young Parent Living Program, which offers shelter to mothers in need at various locations statewide. While funded by the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Transitional Assistance, these homes are licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care. Facility owners are responsible for maintaining a clean property, as stated in the state’s sanitary code. Nonetheless, keeping pests at bay can be challenging due to various factors, including resident turnover and inadequate resources.
Living with bed bugs can be mentally and emotionally exhausting for the residents. Ashley Rodriguez, a 20-year-old resident at Ruth House, has repeatedly complained to staff about bed bugs and mice since arriving in April. However, the residents claim that the staff often blames them for the pest problem. Stephanie McCarthy, vice president of children and family services for Ascentria, did not confirm or deny these accusations but emphasized that blaming traumatized individuals was inappropriate.
The accommodation of vulnerable individuals in shelters and temporary housing remains a complex issue. While efforts are being made to address the problem, it is evident that more needs to be done to ensure safe and clean environments for those in need. With continued dialogue and innovative solutions, it is hoped that shelters like Ruth House can overcome the challenges they face and provide better living conditions for vulnerable young mothers.
