Massachusetts shelter costs to exceed $1B in FY25, migrant families a major factor

Massachusetts taxpayers are facing a hefty bill of $1 billion for the state’s emergency shelter program in FY25, with a significant portion of that funding going towards migrant families, according to a recent report. Governor Maura Healey’s administration has already spent $830 million in the current fiscal year to support over 4,000 families in need of shelter, food, education, legal aid, and case management.

The Emergency Assistance (EA) system, which provides assistance to families in crisis, is costing taxpayers around $3,496 per week per family, or approximately $1,000 per person per week. The latest report from the Massachusetts Executive Office for Housing and Livable Communities reveals that $679.6 million was allocated for direct shelter costs, while an additional $149.7 million was spent on wraparound services such as education aid, work programs, security payroll, and rental assistance.

Out of the 4,088 families currently receiving assistance, approximately 1,600 are migrant families. However, it is believed that the actual number of migrant families in the program is higher, as many are classified as “Massachusetts residents” for eligibility purposes. The state struggled to accommodate the influx of migrants under the Biden administration, with some families even resorting to sleeping at Logan Airport before temporary shelters could be set up.

As of now, there are 599 hotel rooms being utilized under the program, but all hotel shelters are set to close by the end of the year. The number of hotel shelters has already decreased from over 100 to 28, and the administration aims to reduce the caseload to 4,000 families by the end of the calendar year.

Governor Healey has emphasized the importance of closing hotel shelters to ensure families are set up for long-term success and to save the state millions of dollars annually. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll echoed these sentiments, stating that closing hotel shelters is crucial for the well-being of families and the state’s financial health.

The report comes at a time when the influx of new migrants has significantly decreased, with border crossings at historic lows. Former Trump administration border czar Tom Homan reported that Border Patrol encountered just 95 illegal immigrants in a single day, with zero migrants released into the U.S. last month.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Kennealy criticized the state’s spending on the emergency shelter program, stating that taxpayers are being burdened by billions of dollars for an inefficient system that perpetuates the migrant crisis. With the fiscal year ending on June 30, Massachusetts is projected to exceed $1.06 billion in spending for the program.

Despite the challenges and criticisms, the state continues to provide support to families in need, with thousands of individuals in the EA system currently employed and many migrants receiving work authorizations. The effort to assist those in crisis remains ongoing, with a focus on improving efficiency and accountability in the system.