Massachusetts Senate proposes new limitations for emergency shelter stays

Photo courtesy of MGN

By Olivia Flanz

The Massachusetts Senate of Democrats proposed a new limit on Monday to alter to how long people can live in emergency family shelters. More than $800 million in state savings are towards supporting the crisis response. 

This Thursday, the Senate will vote on the proposal. If passed, the new regulation could help lower the demand on the state’s assets and the emergency shelter systems. This new regulation could also help more eligible families and pregnant women get into these shelters. 

According to a Senate Ways and Means Committee official, a “rehousing plan” would be created for every family and pregnant women within the emergency shelter systems. Eligibility lasts for nine months and once that time is up, the administration needs to review if they are still eligible. Multiple 90-day extensions would go to residents who meet the criteria. 

The House had a similar approach, only they would automatically give another three months to residents who are employed or in job training, people with disabilities, pregnant women, veterans, and people who have or are facing domestic violence. The extension to the nine months is only once, compared to the senate’s bill which is willing to have several extensions depending on the person or family’s circumstances. According to the administration official, there were 781 families on the waitlist on Monday. 

The average estimated length of stay is thirteen to fourteen months, showing how these extensions are needed for most families that come through the emergency shelter systems. Nonetheless, legislators are trying to cut down on the number of months in the program. According to Means Committee Chair Aaron, this is to stop the program from “collaps[ing] under its own weight.”