Massachusetts Judge Upholds Emergency Shelter Cap, Backing Maura Healey

A judge in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, has rejected an attempt to halt a plan to cap the number of local and migrant homeless families in emergency shelters, handing a win to Governor Maura Healey. The ruling supports the state's housing department, which argued that it lacked funds to continue expanding shelter capacity due to surging demand and high housing costs. The judge stated that the administration did not violate a provision requiring a 90-day notice to the Legislature before changing emergency shelter eligibility requirements. The decision creates uncertainty for families who may be denied shelter once the cap is reached.