On August 28th, Governor Maura Healey’s office announced that Massachusetts has secured over $20 million in federal funding to help alleviate the strain on the state’s family shelter system. The funding, provided by FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program, is the largest award received to date. This comes in response to the overwhelming need for emergency housing due to the limited availability of affordable housing.
State shelters are currently struggling to keep up with this unprecedented demand. Families are now being placed in temporary facilities with stays limited to just five days—a decision that has drawn concern from anti-homelessness and immigration advocates.
Boston will benefit from this award, receiving approximately $1.3 million to support its shelter services, as the city continues to experience significant demand for housing.
The state is spending nearly $1 billion annually to support its shelter system. With rising living costs and a shortage of affordable options, the demand for emergency accommodations continues to grow, highlighting the need for long-term solutions to address the root causes of housing instability.
Lend A Hand aims to keep families and individuals safe and stable in their homes to prevent them from experiencing housing insecurity and the complex set of problems that often accompany it.