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Published on January 16, 2025
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey Seeks to Reform Right to Shelter Law with New Eligibility and Security MeasuresSource: Wikipedia/Governors office, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has proposed changes to the state's Right to Shelter law, aiming to update the eligibility requirements for the Emergency Assistance shelter system. In a letter to legislative leaders, Governor Healey explained, "I have evaluated the Right to Shelter Law and regulations as well as the operational burdens on the system," and added, "Based on that review, and in the face of continued inaction by Congress and no assistance from the federal government, I believe these changes are appropriate and needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the state shelter system in a way that aligns with the original intent of the law," as stated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Governor Healey's proposed changes to Massachusetts' shelter system include requiring families to prove they plan to stay in the state, strengthening criminal background checks, and ending presumptive eligibility for shelter benefits. Applicants would also need to show they are U.S. citizens or lawfully present, with some exceptions. Additionally, eviction-related eligibility would require that evictions occur in Massachusetts. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll noted, "We’re now seeing unprecedented numbers of families exiting shelter for permanent housing because of the work we’ve done," as reported by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Healey-Driscoll administration has helped over 6,000 shelter residents find work, reducing the shelter population, with "more than 4,500 families exit shelter in the past year." They aim to end the use of hotels and motels for shelters by the end of 2025. To improve safety, the administration is requiring CORI checks for shelter applicants and has commissioned a security review by former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis, according to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.