The Massachusetts House of Representatives approved $425 million to replenish the state's family shelter system, but also implemented changes intended to restrict eligibility and reduce the system's size. While Democrats rejected Republican efforts to expand background checks for residents and allow ICE access to shelters, they did adopt some Republican proposals, including requiring competitive bidding for emergency assistance program expenditures.
The House of Representatives on Thursday approved $425 million to replenish the strained family shelter system , while simultaneously enacting changes aimed at tightening eligibility requirements and reducing the system's overall size.
This decision came after Democrats successfully defeated Republican-led efforts to expand criminal background checks for shelter residents, allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) access to shelters for the removal of undocumented immigrants, and significantly reduce the appropriation amount pending the implementation of reforms. The House did, however, adopt one of the Republicans' 15 proposed amendments: an amendment by Minority Leader Brad Jones that mandates a 'competitive bidding process' for any expenditure related to the emergency assistance program. This mirrors a similar successful Republican amendment from last March, which required the shelter system's food provisions to be subject to competitive bidding. On Thursday, representatives also adopted Democrat Rep. Marjorie Decker's amendment, which maintains presumptive eligibility for children under 6 years old in shelters. Decker described Thursday's debate as one of 'the most challenging days' during her 12 years as a representative, acknowledging the difficulty of balancing the needs of homeless families with the strain the crisis has placed on communities. A Rep. Rob Consalvo amendment, adopted unanimously, would grant hardship waivers to individuals 'documented as having a disability' to extend their shelter stays beyond the six-month limit. Consalvo stated that this measure is particularly aimed at individuals already enrolled in programs seeking supportive transitional housing. The amendment by Rep. Michael Finn, also unanimously approved, mandates the addition of shelter exit data to the biweekly reports sent to the Legislature by the Healey administration. The $425 million injected into the emergency assistance system is intended to sustain it through June. The bill also implements a strict cap on the number of families the state will serve in 2026, limiting it to 4,000 at any given time – a one-third reduction from the 6,012 families as of January 30th. Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz explained that this cap reflects a 'manageable' level, considering both the current fiscal year and the first half of the next fiscal year. The bill also removes the availability of two 90-day extensions for families to remain in shelter under certain circumstances. The Office of Housing and Livable Communities would be authorized to deem families with income exceeding 200% of the Federal Poverty Level for three consecutive months as no longer eligible for shelter benefits. Following the session, Jones stated that new funding commitments for the system should be withheld until Auditor Diana DiZoglio's program audit results are released. Jones criticized the bill, stating that while it makes 'modest changes' to the troubled emergency shelter system, they are largely temporary and fail to address the underlying problems. He argued that pouring more money into a 'broken system' is unsustainable and diverts limited state resources from other essential priorities. Critics, including homelessness shelter providers, contend that revising eligibility criteria for the EA family shelter system undermines the state's commitment to addressing homelessness. Kelly Turley of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless expressed disappointment over the bill's harsher length of stay limits, the arbitrary cap on shelter program participation, and the potential dismantling of crucial placement pending verification protections for families. A small group of protesters, opposing the bill's reforms, gathered outside the chamber holding banners and chanting as the session began at approximately 11 a.m. Mariano, responding to questions after the Democratic caucus, stated that the shelter changes are not intended to specifically exclude migrant families but rather to manage the financial burden placed on the system. He emphasized that the primary goal is to control expenses within a budget facing pressure from various sources.
HOMELESSNESS LEGISLATION MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET REFORM SHELTER SYSTEM HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPUBLICANS DEMOCRATS
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