Recommendations for Moving Beyond the Shelter Emergency to Better Serve Children and Families

Currently, Massachusetts' emergency shelters are at capacity due to a prolonged housing crisis compounded by a pressing humanitarian issue with many individuals and families fleeing their home countries due to conflict, persecution, or economic hardship. CHAPA is working with the Massachusetts Coalition for Homeless (MCH) and the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) to advocate for the preservation and protection of our family shelter system, and to provide safe and affordable housing for every family in Emergency Assistance shelter. 

We have jointly issued a letter of recommendation with MCH & MLRI to the Administration and Legislature asking for the following: 

1. Expanding available services for newly-arrived immigrant families and improving service coordination for all families experiencing homelessness
2. Helping families swiftly move out of Emergency Assistance and other temporary shelter programs into permanent affordable housing
3. Strengthening homelessness prevention resources to ensure that more families and individuals can maintain housing stability.

According to the Administration, the shelter capacity has reached 7,500 shelter units and the shelter system may not have enough space to shelter every eligible family right away. Families seeking shelter will be on a waitlist and will be moved to shelter as space opens up. For more details on the waitlist, please visit the Administration's page on waitlists.