5-Day Stay Limit Among Major Changes Set To Impact Migrants In Massachusetts Shelter System
Currently, families staying at temporary shelter sites are required to show, every month, that they are taking steps to find housing.
News Partner
Posted Wed, Jul 24, 2024 at 3:17 pm ET
(Sean Barnacoat/CBS Boston)
CBS Boston
July 24, 2024
BOSTON - Gov. Maura Healey on Tuesday said Massachusetts is "out of shelter space" and announced changes that will have a big impact on migrants entering the emergency assistance system, including a new prioritization policy and a five-day stay limit at overflow safety-net sites.
Starting Aug. 1, Healey said Massachusetts will prioritize families for shelter system placement if they became homeless because of a no-fault eviction or other sudden circumstance beyond their control like a flood or fire. Families with at least one veteran will also be prioritized, as will those with significant medical issues, newborn babies, or people who are at risk of domestic violence.
Those who are not prioritized for placement will be able to stay at the overflow safety-net sites that are currently in Lexington, Cambridge, the former Chelsea Soldiers Home and an old prison in Norfolk. But those sites will be recategorized as "temporary respite centers" on Aug. 1, and they will have a five-day stay limit.
https://patch.com/massachusetts/across-ma/5-day-stay-limit-among-major-changes-set-impact-migrants-massachusetts
