NORFOLK, Mass. (WPRI) — Homeless and migrant families will arrive in Norfolk, Massachusetts, this week at the former Bay State Correctional Facility.

It’s unclear when people will arrive, but according to state officials, the overflow shelter can house up to 450 people.

The state says it has a temporary permit to operate the former correctional facility for six months and that could be renewed for another six months, but it will not go beyond 12 months.

At a town meeting Tuesday night, many residents expressed concerns about the plan.

“There is fear here, a lot of fear, I am sure a lot of people here have fear of this,” one said. “And on the other side, I want to go help these people because they are not all that bad people. They are just trying to make a life for themselves too, but this is not the right way to do it.”

“In my opinion, the state has exhibited a deeply concerning lack of transparency on the issues,” another said.

Once families arrive, the state said the plan is to move them into permanent housing within a month.

Massachusetts is the only right-to-shelter state in the country, so the state has to guarantee homeless families access to emergency shelters. However, due to the influx of migrant families, a cap has been put on the shelter system, limiting access to emergency shelters.

This also comes after Gov. Maura Healey announced she is sending members of her administration to the southern border.

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