Massachusetts Families in Overflow Shelters to Document Efforts for Independence
In a bid to address the capacity constraints of the overflow shelter system, families staying in Massachusetts overflow shelters will soon be required to document their efforts to find a way out. Governor Maura Healey announced on Monday that starting from May 1, families will need to be recertified monthly to remain eligible for state-run overflow sites.
The new policy will require families to demonstrate the steps they have taken towards independence, such as applying for work authorization permits, participating in workforce training programs, submitting job applications, taking English classes, or actively searching for housing. This move aims to ensure that families are actively working towards finding a stable living situation and employment opportunities.
Scott Rice, the Emergency Assistance Director General, emphasized the need for this certification policy as a responsible step to address the capacity constraints at safety-net sites. Massachusetts has been struggling with a growing influx of homeless migrant families seeking shelter in the state. The Emergency Assistance family shelter system primarily serves homeless families with children or pregnant women, with less than half of the families being new arrivals to Massachusetts.
Last fall, the administration acknowledged that the shelter system could no longer safely or responsibly expand and established a waiting list. Families on the waiting list who qualify for emergency shelter are eligible to stay at the state’s overflow or safety-net sites, which currently provide shelter for around 200 families.
In addition to this new policy, the administration also announced the opening of a new overflow shelter site in Chelsea at the former Chelsea Soldiers’ Home. The vacant site, which is slated for demolition in the future, will be able to accommodate approximately 100 families at full capacity.
These developments come after the Massachusetts Senate 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. Currently, there are no limits on the time a family can spend in emergency housing. The bill, approved by a vote of 32-8, proposes maximum stays of nine months with the possibility of an additional 90 days for veterans, pregnant women, and individuals who are employed or enrolled in a job training program.
The bill has already been passed by the House, and both versions will be reconciled in a conference committee before being sent to Governor Healey’s desk. The legislation aims to provide funding for the rest of the 2024 fiscal year and part of 2025.
It is essential for Massachusetts to address the capacity constraints of its shelter system while ensuring families have the necessary support and resources to find stable housing and employment. With the new certification policy and the opening of additional shelter sites, steps are being taken to alleviate the strain on the system and provide a path towards independence for families in need.
