Boston is facing challenges in accommodating illegal migrants due to the overwhelming surge that led Democratic Gov. Maura Healey to declare a state of emergency last summer. As a result, the Veterans Home at Chelsea will be repurposed as a 'safety-net site' for migrants starting May 1. In order to stay at the facility, migrants must demonstrate efforts to become self-sufficient by obtaining work authorizations, learning English, and seeking permanent residency.
Emergency Assistance Director Scott Rice emphasized the strain on resources, stating that the system is at capacity and lacks the necessary space, providers, and funding for further expansion. The new certification policy aims to address these capacity constraints by requiring families to actively pursue independence and transition out of shelter.
Healey's office highlighted the strain on the state's emergency family shelter system, which has been overwhelmed for months. The Veterans Home at Chelsea, which offers residential and long-term care programs to eligible Massachusetts veterans, was chosen as a temporary solution due to its vacant status and impending demolition.
Families residing at the safety-net sites will be allowed to stay as long as they engage in the required services and activities. Secretary of veterans services for Massachusetts, Jon Santiago, assured that the project will not disrupt the daily operations of the Massachusetts Veterans Home at Chelsea.
Currently, there are 240 families housed in safety-net sites, while 7,500 families are accommodated in the state's emergency shelters. The migrant crisis has presented significant challenges, with the newest emergency shelter in Roxbury reaching full capacity within a week of opening last month.
Other cities like New York City, Chicago, and the state of New York have also declared emergencies and sought assistance in response to the migrant crisis, reflecting the widespread impact of this complex issue.
