In a significant stride towards resolving the state’s emergency shelter crisis, Governor Maura Healey announced the closure of all hotel shelters in Massachusetts, concluding efforts initiated under a state of emergency since August 2023. In a statement, Governor Healey highlighted the expedited progress made in reforming the shelter system, "As a result of my reforms and our efforts to help families get jobs and stable housing, we have fewer families in shelter than the day we took office, and all hotel shelters are now closed – months ahead of schedule."
Under Healey's administration, the shelter system underwent critical changes, including the imposition of a cap on the system at 7,500 families back in 2023, which helped avert the projected rise of up to 13,000 families by the following summer. The reforms enacted, involved adjustments to the Right to Shelter law, and heightened support through workforce training and job services. However, these came with stringent requirements like proof of Massachusetts residency, lawful immigration status, and mandatory CORI checks for adults seeking shelter, "We can all agree that a hotel is no place to raise a family. So we took action," Healey stated, according to Mass.gov.
The initiative has reportedly led to a decrease in both caseloads and costs for the state. According to statistics provided by the governor's office, an impressive 90 percent of families looking for shelter had longstanding ties to the state.
Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus expressed gratitude towards shelter providers and community partners for their integral role in the process. "The dedication of our shelter providers ensured that thousands of families had access to safe shelter and support when they needed it most," Augustus told Mass.gov. The measures instituted by the Healey administration, which include the reforms to the legislative framework, are expected to remain in place as a foundation for the ongoing sustainability of the state's shelter system.
Traditionally, Massachusetts relied on hotels and motels to provide temporary relief for homeless families when shelters were full. The use of hotels spiked in 2014 and again in 2022, attributing to a housing crisis, federal immigration policy issues, and expansion of the shelter system without appropriate controls. With the recent closures, even the alternative sites like the Norfolk Rapid Shelter and the Chelsea Rapid Shelter have been shut down, marking the end of an era for the hotel shelter strategy in the state.
