Massachusetts Struggles to Accommodate Migrant Influx
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The New York Times
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced that the state will no longer guarantee shelter placements for new arrivals starting next month due to the overwhelming strain on the emergency shelter system caused by an unprecedented influx of migrants, primarily from Haiti. The number of families in emergency housing has doubled in the past year, reaching nearly 7,000 statewide, and is expected to rise to 7,500 by the end of October. Governor Healey emphasized that the state is not abolishing its right-to-shelter law but will prioritize families with health or safety risks and place others on waiting lists. The announcement has sparked calls to re-examine the right-to-shelter law, with some lawmakers proposing to limit it to U.S. citizens. Governor Healey called for a federal solution to address the ongoing crisis.