Governor Maura Healey recently announced new changes to the state’s shelter system, including a five-day limit for certain families. However, a new fact sheet released just before the implementation of this policy stated that some families could potentially receive up to a month-long extension. This administrative extension is to be granted by providers at already full temporary respite centers in Cambridge, Chelsea, Lexington, and Norfolk.
The extensions will only be granted to families with imminent access to housing, while all other families will be limited to a one-time, five-day extension. The goal of these extensions is to provide families on the verge of securing stable housing with the necessary time to finalize it.
Governor Healey has been navigating the state’s housing crisis for almost a year, with the emergency shelter system predicted to cost over $1 billion next year. The new policy prioritizes families who become homeless due to certain circumstances, such as no-fault evictions, medical needs, newborn children, veterans, or domestic violence.
Advocates have raised concerns about the impact of these new limits on children and families, with protests outside the Massachusetts State House. However, Governor Healey emphasizes that the state simply cannot afford the current size of the system. The emergency shelter system has faced challenges due to an influx of migrants, leading to state-mandated departures for families.
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