BOSTON (WWLP) – Millions of dollars are being spent on the emergency shelter crisis, as people continue to arrive in Massachusetts for a chance at housing.
Protesters greet Healey, Wu at Roxbury shelter
The first report that came out in the middle of December showed the state had spent $205 million on the crisis. In the latest report that came out this week, it states that Massachusetts has spent $325 million.
Governor Maura Healey placed a 7,500 family cap on who can be guaranteed housing in the State, which the Commonwealth reached back in the fall. Since then, the state has been relying on overflow shelters to accommodate families. Most recently, a shelter opened in Roxbury which can shelter up to 100 families.
Western Massachusetts does not have any overflow sites and have been largely depending on hotels and motels to house the homeless and migrant families.
Representative Carlos González believes that hotels and motels could be taking advantage of the situation by charging the state a higher than average rate for rooms.