On Thursday, October 1st, 2026, Mayor Nicholson issued an emergency executive order creating a task force to address increasing homelessness, substance use disorder and mental health crises that are escalating risks to public health and safety in the City of Lynn.
Police Chief Chris Kelly and Chief of Health and Human Services Lisa Tobin will assemble and co-chair a Downtown Lynn Health and Safety (DLHS) Task Force, which will be charged with formulating a plan for addressing the crisis. The task force will have 90 days to come up with recommendations for better collaboration with treatment programs, healthcare providers, relevant state agencies, landlords, businesses, residents, surrounding communities and the criminal justice system. To ensure tangible next steps, the city will also solicit request for quotes from experienced vendors to facilitate the process and deliver a final report.
The executive order notes the progress the City has made in adding housing units for the most vulnerable and reducing opioid overdose deaths from 70 in 2017 to four in 2026 so far. That notwithstanding, there is an acknowledgement that serious problems remain.
The DLHS Task Force will be encouraged to solicit funding from the City’s Opioid Working Group. The task force will make a presentation to the city council and host a town hall for local businesses and residents to provide input.
The executive order will remain in effect until further notice.