MA Housing Migrants On Cape Cod Amid State Emergency

YARMOUTH, MA — Yarmouth town officials were informed last week that the state could be sending migrant families to their community in the near future amid a state emergency.

Officials said the Governor's Office informed them of a proposed temporary shelter in 80-100 rooms at the Yarmouth Resort, a motel located at 343 Route 28. The move is proposed as part of the state emergency, which allows the state to override local zoning requirements, Yarmouth officials said.

This news isn't unique to Yarmouth both across Massachusetts and across Cape Cod, officials noted.

The communities of Kingston, Bourne and Eastham have also had "similar placements", officials said, as has Joint Base Cape Cod. About 35 people were placed at a hotel in Eastham recently, according to the Cape Cod Times.

MetroWest communities are also housing migrants, and more than 80 communities across the state are doing the same.

This comes after Gov. Maura Healy declared a state of emergency in an attempt to address a state family shelter system that is so over-capacity, thousands of migrant and homeless families have been placed in hotel rooms across the state due to a shortage of shelter beds and affordable housing units.

Recent state Division of Housing Stabilization data said just under 1,400 families were being sheltered in hotels and motels across the state, with the state projecting that number could grow to 2,800 by the end of August. There are an estimated 5,555 families — a total of 20,000 individuals — in the entire state shelter system, including hotels.

Read more: Healey Declares State Of Emergency Over Strained Family Shelter System

As for what's happening in Yarmouth, officials said they aren't aware of any migrant families there currently, but are preparing to help. Additionally, they've asked for assistance from the state legislative delegation and the Barnstable County Emergency Preparedness Office of the Department of Health and Environment to establish a meeting with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to get more details on the proposal.

Crucially, however, town officials are also concerned about reports indicating that the Yarmouth Resort appears to be forcing existing residents out of their housing in order to make room for migrants.

“State officials need to be aware of all the various issues associated with the proposal before any final decisions are made,” Town Administrator Robert Whritenour stated.

According to the Cape Cod Times, the hotel is currently under a violation notice and has a number of code questions. Additionally, hotel management reportedly notified residents of the condo motel earlier this month that rent would be hiked from $300 a week to $700 a week.