MA Reaches 7,500 Capacity On Emergency Family Shelter System

MASSACHUSETTS — Less than one month after Governor Maura Healey announced the state's emergency family shelter system capacity of 7,500 families, space has been maxed out, according to data released Thursday.

For months, the state's emergency family shelter system had been able to expand to meet rising demand driven by increasing numbers of newly arriving migrant families and slower exits, officials said.

But now, "despite the heroic work of public officials, shelter providers, and the National Guard," the state is no longer able to "safely or responsibly" add units to its shelter system, according to Healey.

Data shows that just under 7,000 families were being housed in the system on Oct. 16—a number which swelled to 7,517 by Thursday.

Those numbers are made up of families with children and pregnant women, including newly arrived migrant families and longtime Massachusetts residents, officials said in October. About half of the individuals in emergency shelters are children.

With her announcement about the cap in October, Governor Healey also said her administration is moving on to the next phase of the state's emergency shelter system. The next steps, according to Healey, include prioritizing helping families who have been in shelter long-term to exit into more permanent housing options, connecting those who are eligible with work opportunities, and advocating for the federal government to address the problem.

Healey also announced that Lieutenant General L. Scott Rice had been appointed as Emergency Assistance Director.

"Lt. General Rice has extensive experience leading large-scale emergency management operations, and we are confident he is the right person to lead us through this new phase of the emergency shelter system," Healey said.

In his own statement, Rice said that it is his mission to "ensure the safety and wellbeing of families in Massachusetts."

"I’ve spent my career leading large-scale organizations and emergency response operations, and I've learned that communication and partnership are key to meeting any challenge," Rice added. "This is the approach that I will bring to this new role, and I look forward to working closely with our local, state and federal partners each step of the way."