Governor Maura Healey announced plans to close all hotel shelters used for families in Massachusetts by the end of summer, moving away from an expensive solution to the state's shelter crisis. Previously reliant on hotels, the number of families in emergency shelter has decreased significantly, allowing the state to propose a reduced budget for the system. Healey has attributed shelter system challenges largely to federal immigration issues, while aiming for substantial savings in homeless assistance costs.
Healey has repeatedly cast blame on the federal government for not passing comprehensive immigration reform, which has contributed to the shelter system crisis.
With decreasing caseloads, lawmakers are pushing for a reduced budget of $275 million for the shelter system in fiscal year 2026.
Hotel shelters are the most expensive type of shelter, and officials expect to realize around $410 million in annual savings once hotels are no longer used.
Governor Healey announced that all hotel shelters throughout Massachusetts would close by the end of summer, aiming for a significant shift in the emergency shelter system.
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