Homeless Individuals Given Voting Access through Pine Street Inn

By Addison Brewer-Hay

As November approaches, election tensions increase as many wonder how the country’s leadership may fluctuate. Pine Street Inn, a Boston homeless shelter, is now encouraging those experiencing homelessness to fill out a ballot – stating “your voice matters.”

In a state with a high homelessness population, valuing at around 19,000, the number appears to be increasing each year. With around 5,700 unhoused individuals within Boston, voting accessibility has become an ongoing concern.

Individuals without a primary residence often don’t cast their ballots, wondering if the law permits them to do so. Therefore, Penn State Inn has begun to spread the word that people can use the shelter’s address to register.

According to the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, only 10 percent of the homeless population vote in national elections in comparison to the general population’s 60 percent. This low value is encouraged to increase through the promotion of Penn State Inn’s new opportunity of registration. According to the shelter, “If you are 18 or older and an American citizen, you have the right to vote.” The shelter promoted on their social media their new mission and encouraged individuals to make their voices heard.

Working to not only provide access but also voting education, Penn State Inn President and Executive Director Lyndia Downie informed the Boston Globe of her desired impact. With voting registration closing October 6, Downie and her mission statement continue to urge individuals to get involved. “They feel forgotten oftentimes, but this is one way for them to start to think about how they can have an impact”, Downie expressed, “It’s one way to make their voices heard.”