Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has announced plans to transition away from using hotels and motels as shelters for homeless families over the next few years. This move is part of broader reforms to the state's emergency family shelter system, aimed at fostering more stable and permanent housing solutions. Although the emergency assistance system has steadied at around 7,500 families, the initial daily influx of families seeking shelter has reduced noticeably. Healey has emphasized, "We've taken significant action to rein in its growth, and we've seen tangible results."
To support this shift, the administration plans to boost the state's rental assistance, offering up to $25,000 annually for two years, replacing the current benefit of $30,000 over two years or $45,000 over three. By December, families will enter either a "Rapid Shelter Track" for those equipped to find housing quickly or a "Bridge Shelter Track" for those with more complex needs, such as those with disabilities. The move also responds to pressures from rising rent costs which have left many residents precariously housed.
The strategy comes in response to heightened demand for homelessness services, partly driven by increased migration into Massachusetts. Measures include limiting emergency shelters' occupancy to nine months with potential extensions. Last year, a state of emergency was declared to cap shelter capacity and restrict nighttime stays at Boston's Logan International Airport. Overall, the steps aim to address "continuing capacity constraints" in the emergency assistance system, ensuring fiscal sustainability and a functional safety net for those at risk of homelessness. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)