The Healey administration is implementing significant changes to Massachusetts’ strained family shelter system as the state continues to address the influx of migrant families seeking humanitarian aid. The reforms, announced Friday, aim to reduce costs, phase out the use of hotels as shelters, decrease the number of shelter units, and reallocate resources. Some of these changes will take effect on December 10.
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll explained the rationale behind the changes, stating, “The current system needs to evolve to become more fiscally sustainable and operationally efficient. Our goal is to lower costs by moving away from motels and helping families transition to greater independence.”
Under the new framework, families will be placed into one of two tracks: the Rapid Shelter Track or the Bridge Shelter Track. The Rapid Shelter Track is designed to conclude within 30 days, while the Bridge Shelter Track will provide support for up to six months, pending legislative approval. Temporary Respite Center stays will also be extended from five days to 30 days, addressing concerns from providers who had criticized the previous shorter timeframe.
“These changes will allow families to stay at Temporary Respite Centers longer, with some flexibility for extensions,” the Healey administration stated in a press release. Driscoll elaborated, saying, “If a family has a lease starting in a few weeks, we’ll work with them to ensure they remain housed during the interim. There will be hardship waivers for such cases.”
Families with more resources and the ability to quickly secure permanent housing will be placed in the Rapid Shelter Track. They will receive assistance through programs like HomeBASE, which offers rental subsidies, job placement referrals, work authorization support, and English language classes. Meanwhile, the Bridge Shelter Track will cater to high-risk families with complex needs, such as those with late-term pregnancies or developmental disabilities. Families will not have the option to choose their track; placement will be determined based on their circumstances.
For example, families with working parents will likely be placed in the Rapid Shelter Track, as their income can facilitate a quicker transition to stable housing. Conversely, families facing significant barriers, such as eviction histories or challenges to employment, will require the additional support provided in the Bridge Shelter Track. The changes will apply to all emergency shelter residents, including both migrants and the 65% of families who are Massachusetts residents.
The administration also plans to phase out the use of hotels and motels as shelters due to their high costs. Families will be notified in advance of closures, and providers will assist them in transitioning to stable housing. Additionally, the state is seeking to enhance the HomeBASE program by increasing rental assistance to up to $25,000 per year for two years, compared to the current benefit of $30,000 over two years or $45,000 over three years. This proposal requires legislative approval.
These adjustments are based on recommendations from a Special Commission tasked with evaluating the current emergency assistance program and proposing improvements. Danielle Ferrier, CEO of Heading Home, a shelter provider, praised the administration’s efforts, saying, “The Healey-Driscoll Administration has worked tirelessly to implement practical changes that balance sheltering families with managing an overwhelming demand.”
The state is also relocating its family welcome center from Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy to Hancock Street in Quincy, while high-risk families will receive support at a site in Revere. The Cambridge Temporary Respite Center will close by December 15, with families currently being relocated. Additionally, the Immigrant Family Services Institute has opened a Family Welcome Center in Mattapan.
Without these measures, the state projected that emergency shelters could have reached 13,000 families by June 2024. However, the system has remained steady at around 7,500 families, the cap set by the administration. On average, 15 to 18 families seek shelter daily, with up to 40 families on some days. Approximately 65% of families entering the system in recent weeks are Massachusetts residents, while the overall system is evenly split between migrant families and local residents.
Over the past year, the state has helped more than 3,800 families transition out of shelters and diverted over 700 families from entering the system. These efforts reflect the administration’s commitment to addressing the challenges facing the shelter system while supporting families in need.
Source: wgbh.org