Massachusetts Governor and Attorney General Address Migrant Shelter Capacity Crisis

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has warned that the state will soon reach its capacity to house migrants and homeless families through its emergency shelter system. The number of families in the state's shelter system has doubled in the past year, with nearly 7,000 families currently in need of housing. Governor Healey has called on the federal government for more aid, including a larger group shelter setting, equitable distribution of federal dollars, and expedited work permits for migrants. She has appointed a former Massachusetts National Guard leader to oversee the state's emergency shelter system and announced steps to provide pathways out of the shelter system. The governor has also requested $250 million from the state legislature to support the shelter system, but the crisis shows no signs of stopping.