Local news
On Monday, activists gathered outside the Massachusetts State House to protest upcoming changes to the state's emergency shelter system that may limit the length of time families can stay in shelters to 5 days.
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Healey declares comprehensive changes to the emergency accommodation system and limits stays at overflow sites to 5 days
Governor Maura Healey announced the changes, which take effect last Wednesday. Her administration has said some families might be prioritized because the state continues to grapple with a severely overstretched shelter system amid a surge in migration and an ongoing housing affordability crisis.
Families prioritized under the brand new restrictions include those that have develop into homeless because of an eviction through no fault of their very own or “sudden or unusual circumstances in Massachusetts beyond their control” corresponding to fire or flood, those with at the least one veteran, those with medical needs or newborns, and people susceptible to domestic violence.
Families who don’t qualify for priority treatment will only have the option to remain within the shelters or “temporary emergency housing” for five days starting Aug. 1. The state previously set a 30-day cap on the shelters in May. Healey said the state “cannot afford” the scale of the present system.
Advocates urged Healey on Monday to reverse the changes, warning that the policy overhaul would harm children and families.
The protest was organized by the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless and aimed to call on the governor and legislators to “maintain access to shelter for children and families.”
Kelly Turley, a member of the coalition, said in the course of the event that she fears more families might be forced onto the streets and have to depart the state if they can not find accessible housing. Reports.
“The state has spent $11 million on consultants to develop these plans for access to emergency shelters,” Turley said. “At the same time, we're telling families we don't have the money to provide them with a safe place to stay.”
Craig Andrade, associate dean of Boston University's School of Public Health, said GBH the change in policy was “inhumane”.
“They're not going to magically find housing just because the state imposes new restrictions,” he told the station. “The people who are forced out will become homeless.”
Suppliers informed GBH that they already Families sleeping without protection in parks or outside of family accommodation.
image credit : www.boston.com