In Massachusetts, a recent report reveals a troubling number of “serious” incidents within the Emergency Assistance (EA) family shelter program, with 316 such incidents reported this year alone. The incidents occurred across various types of shelters, including hotels and congregate sites.
Although the EA program is not specifically designed for migrants, migrant families can access it, leading to concerns about the program’s capacity to handle the increased demand.
Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies for the Center for Immigration Studies, expressed significant concern about the high number of incidents, describing it as a “huge failure” given the substantial taxpayer funding involved. Vaughan’s comments highlight the perceived inadequacies in the state’s ability to provide a safe environment for both migrant families and other shelter residents.
Massachusetts Report Highlights High Incidence of Serious Issues in Emergency Assistance Shelters
The report also mentions that over 20 individuals were banned from the migrant family shelter program for inappropriate behavior, with these individuals redirected to adult homeless shelters. This highlights ongoing challenges in managing behavior within the shelters and ensuring a safe environment for all occupants.
In response to safety concerns, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) emphasized that maintaining the safety and well-being of families in the EA program is a priority. The spokesperson clarified that “serious incidents” could involve a range of issues, from natural disasters to unauthorized entries, and do not necessarily indicate misconduct by shelter residents.
Amidst these challenges, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has announced new measures to prioritize state families for shelter services and has directed state officials to address the influx of migrants from the Texas border.
This includes educating migrant families about shelter availability and coordinating with federal and non-governmental organizations to manage the migrant flow and alleviate the strain on the state’s shelter system.
