After a large weapons and drug seizure at a Revere shelter, Governor Maura Healey ordered a full inspection of all state-run shelters on Monday. This follows the arrest of a man found with an AR-15 rifle and drugs at a hotel being used as a shelter. Healey's goal is to ensure state shelters are not being misused for criminal activities, according to NBC Boston. 

On December 27, 2024, Revere police arrested Leonardo Andujar Sanchez, 28, at the Quality Inn on Morris Street, seizing firearms and drugs. Governor Healey condemned the incident, saying, "It’s outrageous that this individual took advantage of our shelter system to engage in criminal activity." She called for reforms, including reducing shelter stays from nine to six months and requested $425 million to improve the emergency shelter program. Healey stated "These reforms are absolutely necessary to ensure that families are in better housing situations," but the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless criticized the plan, saying the housing market often requires more than six months to secure stable housing, as reported by WCVB.

Governor Healey’s plans to address sheltering and immigration issues in Massachusetts have drawn criticism from Republicans. Logan Trupiano, a Republican spokesman, saying, “This is like throwing a bucket of water on a burning building,” and pushed for changes to the right-to-shelter law, including a residency requirement. Concerns about public safety have also been raised, with State Rep. Jessica Ann Giannino calling for more federal involvement in the immigration crisis. The arrest of Sanchez, held without bail, has added to the debate over shelter policies and crime. Healey’s directive seeks to address immediate security gaps and shape Massachusetts' approach to homelessness and public safety, as stated by NBC Boston.