Economy

During press conference on Fall River’s Flint, Auchincloss responds on migrant and housing crisis

Published

8 months ago

March 27, 2024

Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan hosted a press conference Tuesday in Fall River with Congressman Jake Auchincloss and other members of the state delegation regarding a CPA grant the city was recently awarded for the Flint neighborhood, but the migrant housing crisis dominated the conversation.

After brief statements made regarding the $1.6 million awarded to the city, Auchincloss called for questions from reporters. Fall River Reporter took the opportunity to ask about the recent disclosure by Senator Michael Rodrigues that the cost to house one migrant family with emergency housing was approximately $2500 per week and asked about the sustainability of the program. In a city where many people are struggling to find affordable housing Reporter also asked what the Congressman thinks the timeline looks like for migrants to transition from emergency housing to sustainable housing.

***Congressman Jack Auchincloss speaks to the migrant crisis in Massachusetts***

“Well the Statehouse and the Governor have made some pretty substantive changes to the shelter system and the timeline. On a Federal perspective, I would add two things. One, the state needs more housing period. Just a couple of months ago we passed in the house an expansion of the affordable housing tax credit that is an important way to stimulate more production of housing. Really that is the biggest challenge in Massachusetts. The lack of affordable housing period, regardless who’s living in it.”

Auchincloss went on to say:

“Congress needs to pass immigration reform. It’s Congress’ fault and Congress has not done so since I’ve been alive. I am a sponsor of both the Senate’s bipartisan border security deal, as well as the House’s version. Both of them entail significant compromises from Democrats and significant compromises from Republicans which we know is going to be required to get immigration reform. I continue to make that the number one thing that we have to do in Congress. In addition to funding Ukraine, securing the border and passing immigration reform.”

Listen to Congressman Auchincloss and his comments below:

We had a chance to ask @JakeAuch about the costs associated with housing migrants in emergency housing here in Massachusetts. Here's his response: pic.twitter.com/Oh0hl9HPYq
— Fall River Reporter (@FallRiverReport) March 27, 2024