In new strategy, state asks locals to host unhoused, migrant families as officials scramble to expand shelters
Massachusetts officials are looking for residents who will host newly-arrived families that need shelter. The Massachusetts officials are looking for residents who will host newly arrived families in need of shelter.
New immigrants make up a large part of those families who need housing in Massachusetts. Many people who arrive in Boston are refugees from Haiti. They have traveled to other states and then come to Massachusetts.
The state is scrambling to increase shelter capacity in order to accommodate an increasing number homeless families. The new Family Welcome Center, located in Allston, is responsible for recruiting, vetting, and onboarding of host families as well as matching them with families in need.
In a press release, Karissa Hand, the Healey administration’s press secretary, said that this practice has been used by Resettlement Agencies as well as other volunteers working to assist new arrivals. Her statement stated that host families are usually drawn from community and volunteer networks.
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Contact the Brazilian Worker Center which operates the Allston Welcome Facility if you are interested in hosting.
Historically, the host family model was used to help house refugees who came through State Department programs and support unaccompanied minors needing shelter. Homeless advocates claim that the model has not been widely applied in the past to families who are homeless.
Kelly Turley is the associate director at the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. She said that the addition of the host homes was due to the current urgency and unmet needs. This is something they could have online very quickly, if host families or hosts step forward.
Turley cautioned that it should only be a temporary measure and not a permanent solution. Turley stated that “we know that a longer-term housing and permanent housing solution would better meet stability, safety and service needs for newly arrived immigrants.”
The state didn’t immediately respond to inquiries about the screening process for hosts and if there are any site visits to assess safety at the host’s house. The state did not give any information on how many families were paired up with hosts since the Family Welcome Center was opened at the end of June. Local aid groups told WBUR several families had gone to host homes.
Advocates briefed about the program say that host families do not receive financial compensation, but are given things like groceries, gift cards and baby formula in order to support the family they’re hosting.
Geralde Gabeau is the executive director at the Immigrant Families Services Institute (IFSI). She supports the strategy, “because we are talking about families that have children and because of the nature of this crisis.” However, she wants to know more about the details of how the program will be implemented.
Gabeau added: “I think that we, as citizens and members of our communities, also have a part to play.
The state-run shelters are now at capacity due to a confluence crises including high housing costs, the ending of pandemic protections, and the arrivals of migrant family. Experts estimate that hundreds of families move to Massachusetts every week, in search of housing. Gabeau said IFSI which is a service to a large number Haitians sees around 40 new families every day.
Turley, of the homeless coalition, said that “the demand for family housing is reaching levels we’ve never seen before.” Emergency Assistance Shelter, the state’s system of family shelter, houses approximately 4,800 households. This includes almost 1,000 new motels and overflow hotels since the start of 2023.
Massachusetts’ newly homeless families can face a particular challenge in finding a place to stay for the first few days. Families who are waiting to apply for the family shelter system in Massachusetts can be left with nowhere to sleep overnight.
Over the past year, these families have often slept in emergency rooms. Boston Medical Center, citing rising numbers and safety concerns, said last week it was now sending families to other locations, including Logan Airport.
Beth Chambers, Vice President of Basic Needs at Catholic Charities of Boston and Radio Boston’s Thursday host, said, “We used to tell people to go to Boston Medical Center, because that was the only option for people to get to at night.” Since the hospital changed its policy, Beth Chambers said that Catholic Charities Dorchester has seen a rise in demand. She said, “We’re trying everything.”
State’s Family Welcome Center offers a new way to assist families, especially newly arrived ones, in obtaining basic necessities, like food and diapers. It also helps them connect with other resources. State officials have pledged to create additional centers in the state. However, specifics are not yet available. State officials and homeless advocates both describe the Allston Center as swamped.
Experts in homelessness say that because the Family Welcome Center operates outside the state’s system of family shelters, there are less requirements for accommodations. This allows more flexibility such as using host homes.
IFSI has privately placed host families to house at least 25 families who have been in need of housing over the last two years. Gabeau said that the housing team of the organization finds hosts by using known networks, such as churches. They then visit the space to meet with the host family.
Gabeau noted that moving frequently can be disruptive to families, but that host homes may not be able to support them for longer than a couple of days, weeks, or months. She said that ideally a family should be able stay in a place for at least six months.
Gabeau says she has seen an increase in new arrivals during the summer months. This year, she anticipates the same. She said that the response would require individuals, as well as nonprofits, government agencies and other organizations.
Gabeau stated, “I believe that as individuals and community members we can do much more.”
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