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Healey-Driscoll administration announces new shelter requirements where families need to demonstrate actions to get on path to independence
BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll administration today announced new requirements at state safety-net sites in an effort to accelerate families on a path to housing stability and respond to rising capacity constraints. Effective May 1, 2024, families will be required to document engagement in case management and rehousing efforts monthly in order to remain eligible to stay at a state safety-net site. During this recertification process, they will be evaluated on whether they have participated in state-provided services to help them move toward independence, including applying for a work authorization, participating in a workforce training program, submitting job applications, taking English classes, and engaging in a search for housing. Families will be permitted to remain at sites as long as they continue to engage these services and activities.
“We have said for months now that our system is at capacity, and we do not have the space, providers or funding to continue expanding,” said Emergency Assistance Director General Scott Rice. “This new certification policy is a responsible step to address the capacity constraints at our safety-net sites. Families will need to demonstrate that they’ve taken action to get on a path toward independence and out of shelter.”
The announcement comes as the state’s Emergency Assistance family shelter system has been operating at capacity for months. The EA program is for families with children or pregnant women who are experiencing homelessness. Less than half of families in EA are new arrivals to Massachusetts. Last fall, the administration announced that the system could no longer safely or responsibly expand and established a waiting list. Families who qualify for EA and are on the waiting list are eligible to stay at the state’s safety-net sites, which currently serve approximately 200 families.
Notice about the policy will be given to all families currently in safety-net sites and provided during the intake process for new families. Shelter providers and case managers will work with families to make sure they are aware of the policy, conduct case management and diversion assessments, and help them engage in services and apply for re-certification.
This policy does not apply to safety-net sites operated by the United Way of Massachusetts Bay.
The administration also announced that it will be opening a new safety-net site next month in Chelsea. The former Chelsea Soldiers’ Home facility is vacant and slated to be demolished since the administration opened a new, larger, state-of-the-art facility last year, now known as the Massachusetts Veterans Home at Chelsea.
“Massachusetts has proven that we can take care of veterans and families experiencing homelessness in our state,” said Secretary of Veterans Services Dr. Jon Santiago. “While EOVS formerly operated the building slated for demolition, this project operates independently and will not impact the daily routines or services at the Massachusetts Veterans Home at Chelsea.”
At full capacity, the safety-net site will be able to accommodate approximately 100 families. The site will be for families with children or pregnant women who have been deemed eligible for the EA program and have been placed on the waitlist. Services will be available on site, including assistance with applying for work authorizations, connecting with employers, and finding stable housing.
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MortisMaximus
March 25, 2024 at 12:25 pm
Too late you already spent the money!
Dr David
March 25, 2024 at 2:02 pm
Dear Mrs Maura Healy:
Your plan to be nominated as the US Attorney General by the next Biden Administration will be in jeopardy if you show any resistance to illegal alien invasion …. so watch your racist and oppressive rhetoric.
For now, dont worry …. the Biden/Obama Junta knows this is just some meaningless posturing that you are not serious about … take comfort …. many more new-comers are on the way and you will soon be able to leave the Governor position that you lack the competence and leadership skills to carry out and you will be in the cushy and highly protected US Attorney Cabinet position in the next Biden Ballot-Harvested Administration !!
MassTexanCop
March 25, 2024 at 2:40 pm
Ya’ll can’t just stand by and watch. I am in MA currently visiting family. It didn’t take me 5 minutes from landing in Logan to see the drastic (negative) changes. There were families of non-citizens lined up in the airport. You’re spending much needed tax dollars on what should be a non-negotiable matter. Pay your teachers and police. Fix your terrible antiquated infrastructure. I miss my family/friends but god almighty I can’t wait to fly home tomorrow. New senate bill allows me to detain/arrest any and all illegal persons. I’ll do it for the rest of the country. We won’t back down. God Bless Texas.
Gary
March 25, 2024 at 8:51 pm
“BINGO”
Massghanistan is now a #4th World State, tied in Forth Place with “Great Americans” that are leaving Massghanistan in Droves!
Only Trump and RFK. Jr can Save this Nation!
Barrack Warren
March 25, 2024 at 2:40 pm
This is a shameful attempt to capitulate to the small but vocal MAGA base attempting to bully our elected officials.
Until systemic racism, especially in the South Coast, income inequality, and environmental racism are addressed, we shouldn’t even be entertaining this hard right stance.
Shame on our legislature.
MassTexanCop
March 25, 2024 at 4:16 pm
Ah, Barrack Warren, you can always be counted on for your witty sarcasm. God bless and hopefully the Commonwealth figures it out.
Common Sense
March 26, 2024 at 7:12 am
Shame on systemic stupidity that you have to resort to throwing out generalizations without specific facts to show party and candidate affiliation. Then again, social media is the new norm and because it is said, it must be true.
Your laundry list of do goods does not include senior citizens who are being crushed by inflation. We turn our backs on these people and dip deeply into the state’s reserves for new arrivals. That seems a bit off but let us make a comparison. I cannot pay my mortgage and got my take return so let’s go to Disney World.
Priorities are fundamental to life and ignoring existing problems so we can allocate limited resources (money that we cannot print on the state level) is shortsighted.
Until our government can take care of all, it has to make corrections to money pits that devour resources endlessly. And look at what all the other do-good sanctuary states are doing, the same.
Thank God we can express ourselves and sometimes the sheep of the party on Beacon Hill pretend to listen in an election year. I for one know this is window dressing and meaningless so it is business as usual.
Don’t trust the government they are ripping us apart with issues and people in shelters are merely political pawns to drive a wedge between us so we vote along party lines and not on what an official will do for the people. Gone are the days of for the people and by the people.
Welcome to the ruling class.
P.S. Kennedy looks good as he rips apart the two party system.
Dumbest government
March 26, 2024 at 12:28 pm
How about one rule. Legal immigrants are allowed.