Migrant shelter costs expected to exceed $1B in Massachusetts

BOSTON (WPRI) — Some lawmakers in Massachusetts are sounding the alarm over the emergency shelters for migrants and the homeless.

Running the state’s emergency shelter system through the next fiscal year is expected to cost taxpayers more than $1 billion.

Republican state Sen. Ryan Fattman is among those suggesting the state make permanent changes to the shelter system to help control the cost. He said on Jan. 1, the state will run out of money.

“This is one of these things that could sink the Commonwealth financially, and we can’t let that happen,” Fattman said. “It’s a billion dollars next year. It’s a billion dollars after that, and there’s no end in sight.”

To date, Fattman pointed to surplus dollars that have kept the doors open to the state’s four emergency shelters, but says those won’t be available next year,

He supports the new deadline Gov. Maura Healey announced last week: As of Thursday, anyone staying at a shelter has five days to find other arrangements.

But, it’s a different story for those staying there.

“You, your family right now, five days to pack up. Every five days leave, every five days leave. How does that resonate with anyone?” Juan Marrero with La Colaborativa said.

Healey’s decision to transition the shelters into temporary respite centers was made because of a lack of space. She said she hopes migrants will consider that before coming to Massachusetts.

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