When a state panel rejected $7.5M in opioid settlement spending, it showed how little it understands Kensington’s challenges

As the leaders of four organizations deeply involved in the work of helping Kensington heal, we were encouraged that local officials would get to decide how the money was used — a step that might help ensure our community members’ voices would be heard.

However, in June, the trust found that the city’s use of $7.5 million in settlement money to help pay for a series of community revitalization efforts that included rent relief and repairing homes, parks, and schools did not comply with its guidelines for how the money should be spent.