The state of Massachusetts is implementing new requirements for families staying in overflow shelter sites in the state. Families will need to document their efforts each month to find a pathway out of the overflow system, such as looking for housing or employment. Starting on May 1, families will be recertified monthly in order to continue staying in state-run overflow sites. These efforts are meant to encourage independence and accountability among those utilizing the shelter system. Families will need to show that they have taken steps towards working towards independence, such as applying for work permits or participating in workforce training programs.
While these new requirements are seen as critical by Governor Maura Healey, there are concerns from immigrant advocates that the regulations may complicate the lives of homeless migrants who are already focused on leaving the shelter system. Despite this, state officials are emphasizing the importance of diverting people from the emergency shelter system and getting them on a different path towards stability. The policy does not apply to sites operated by the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, a charitable organization.
The state of Massachusetts has been struggling to meet the needs of homeless migrant families seeking shelter. The Emergency Assistance family shelter system serves homeless families with children or pregnant women, and the system could no longer safely or responsibly expand, setting up a waiting list for those needing shelter. Families who qualify for emergency shelter and are on the waiting list are eligible to stay at overflow or safety-net sites, currently providing shelter for about 200 families. A new overflow shelter site is set to open in Chelsea at the former Chelsea Soldiers’ Home, with capacity for approximately 100 families.
The Massachusetts Senate recently approved limits on how long homeless families can stay in emergency state shelters as part of an $850 million plan to fund the system at the center of the migrant crisis. The bill aims to limit maximum stays to nine months, with the possibility of 90 more days for specific circumstances such as veterans, pregnant women, or those enrolled in job training programs. Currently, there are no limits on the time a family can spend in emergency housing. The House has also passed a funding bill that covers the remainder of the fiscal year and part of the following year, and the two bills are expected to be reconciled in a conference committee before reaching the governor’s desk for approval.
