Breaking News: Governor Maura Healey has announced that all hotel shelters in Massachusetts will be closing by the end of the summer. This decision comes after years of using hotels to accommodate thousands of families, including many migrants, who were in need of shelter. The state’s emergency shelter system was overwhelmed by a migration surge, leading to the use of hotels for housing.
Former Governor Charlie Baker had promised to end the practice of using hotels for shelter, but a spike in migration to Massachusetts towards the end of his tenure forced the state to rely on hotels again. Governor Healey continued this practice, with around 1,000 families currently living in hotels out of the 4,400 families enrolled in the shelter system.
The plan to close all hotel shelters was initially set for the end of 2025, but officials are now ahead of schedule. The closure of hotel shelters is expected to save the state around $410 million annually, as hotels are the most expensive type of shelter in the system. Governor Healey has been vocal about the need for comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level and has implemented measures such as shelter stay limits and workforce training to reduce reliance on the shelter system.
While Governor Healey’s efforts have helped decrease the burden on the shelter system, some credit President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown for also playing a role. The number of families in the shelter system has dropped below 5,000 for the first time since 2023, with the majority of families now being longtime Massachusetts residents. Critics, including Republican candidate Mike Kennealy, have criticized Governor Healey’s handling of the shelter crisis and her reliance on taxpayer-subsidized apartments for migrants. Another Republican candidate, Brian Shortsleeve, has not commented on the announcement.
In conclusion, the closure of hotel shelters in Massachusetts marks a significant step in the state’s efforts to address the shelter crisis. Governor Healey’s actions, along with external factors such as immigration policies, have contributed to reducing the number of families in the shelter system. The transition away from hotel shelters is expected to result in substantial cost savings for the state, while also highlighting the need for comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level.
