Lowell is a city that finds itself in a moment of transformation. At first glance, it looks like a city on the rise. New apartments have filled the old mills and factories, and an influx of yuppies have arrived, and the downtown is seeing a surge in cultural events. While UMass Lowell students might notice these visible transformations, they may overlook a more pressing issue that is becoming less apparent homelessness. This growing problem is largely hidden or ignored.

Before addressing how the city handles its homelessness issue, it’s important to acknowledge that there are valuable resources available. Programs like the Lowell Transitional Living Center (LTLC), the Pathfinder program, and the Lowell Continuum of Care play a crucial role in helping those in need in the city of Lowell. These initiatives provide essential services and represent a positive step forward.

Yet, despite these efforts, homelessness remains a persistent challenge. As gentrification accelerates: driven by university funding, taxes from new and old residents, and annual contributions of around $2 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) the city’s homeless population seems to be vanishing from public view.

The disappearance of visible homelessness isn’t random. Lowell appears to be quietly moving its homeless population out of sight. This may be happening through actions that target homeless encampments, selective policing, or the absence of sufficient long-term housing solutions. It seems as if the city’s priority is projecting a cleaner, more modern image, but that doesn’t mean homelessness has been solved… it’s simply hidden.

In focusing on these surface level improvements, the city risks ignoring its most vulnerable residents. It’s a case of sweeping the problem under the rug.

It’s important to recognize that Lowell is not alone in facing the challenges of gentrification. Cities around the world, from San Francisco to Berlin, are grappling with the displacement of low-income residents as urban centers become more developed and modernized. In many of these cities, the problem is on a much larger scale, with entire neighborhoods being transformed. But while it’s easy to get lost in the global scope of gentrification, it’s crucial to focus on what’s happening here in our own community. Lowell’s story is part of a broader trend, but the solutions must start locally, with a deep understanding of the specific needs of the city’s most vulnerable populations.

When homelessness is ignored or hidden from view, the problem doesn’t disappear, it becomes even harder to address. As students, it’s easy to be disconnected from the realities of the surrounding community, but homelessness is a shared issue that affects all of us. By ignoring it, we allow the cycle of poverty to continue and miss the opportunity to push the city towards more effective long term solutions.

Students at UMass Lowell have a unique role to play in advocating for change, both on campus and in the wider community. While it’s important to support broader efforts, there are also ways to address homelessness and insecurity right here at the university. The UMass Lowell Navigators Club provides support for students who have taken non-traditional paths to college, including those experiencing homelessness. Additionally, UML Strive offers services to students facing food or housing insecurity, with the UML Strive Pantry providing essentials like food, toiletries, and more.

By getting involved with these organizations, supporting their missions, or contributing to the UML Strive Pantry, students can have a direct impact on those experiencing hardship within our community. On a broader level, by staying informed and supporting local initiatives, we can ensure that we don’t turn a blind eye to homelessness in Lowell.

While the city’s revitalization is worth celebrating, it should not come at the cost of ignoring its most vulnerable populations. Lowell must find a way to balance its progress with compassion. Homelessness is not a problem that can be hidden, and as members of this community, we must push for meaningful solutions.