By Bob Katzen
The House 127-23, Senate 32-7, approved and Gov. Maura Healey signed into law a fiscal 2025 supplemental budget that includes $425 million to fund the state’s emergency shelter system and make some changes to tighten eligibility for it.
The vote was almost strictly along party lines with all Republicans voting against it and all but four Democrats voting for it. The Democrats say the measure makes major reforms. The Republicans say while the bill includes some reforms they have long sought, it does not go far enough, and they all voted against it.
The bill allows families to stay for up to six months in shelters and grants the Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities the authority to grant hardship exemption waivers to families with young children, to families at risk of domestic violence, or other individuals in vulnerable circumstances, to lengthen their stay in shelters. It also caps capacity in the system at 4,000 families for the period Dec. 31, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2026. There were more than 6,000 families relying on the system at the end of January.
Another provision provides that benefits be given to families consisting entirely of residents of the commonwealth who are citizens of the United States or persons lawfully admitted for permanent residence or otherwise permanently residing in the United States under the color of law, except in cases where a child in the family is a citizen of the United States, a person lawfully admitted for permanent residence or a person permanently residing in the United States under color of law.
“This supplemental budget includes critical improvements that I proposed to reduce the taxpayer costs of the family shelter system and make it safer for residents and our communities,” said Gov. Healey. “We all know that urgent action is needed to lower the cost of the system and make sure it is a viable, safe and temporary option for Massachusetts families who have fallen on hard times.”
“We struck a balance between our fiscal responsibility to Massachusetts taxpayers and our moral obligation to moms, dads and kids who are in a difficult moment,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “We prioritize Massachusetts families in need, ensure transparency in the program, and take strong steps to ensure the safety of those in shelter.”
“From the beginning of the shelter system crisis, the House has worked to reform the emergency assistance program to ensure that it remains financially viable,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “That’s why the House led the effort to cap the maximum length of stay, and to require job training programs for folks in the shelter system, reforms that this supplemental budget builds on. By creating stricter eligibility requirements, along with increased security measures, this supplemental budget is the latest iteration of the House’s continued commitment to protecting vulnerable children and families in Massachusetts in a fiscally sustainable manner.”
“I voted against the latest version of the $425 million supplemental budget because it represents an unsustainable expansion of the shelter system without accountability or a tangible long-term plan,” said Sen. Kelly Dooner (R-Taunton). “This budget is fiscally irresponsible and fails to prioritize homeless veterans, seniors and vulnerable families in Massachusetts who are still struggling to find shelter. We need practical solutions that prioritize our most vulnerable residents first.”
“The Emergency Shelter System is broken in very significant ways,” said Rep. John Gaskey (R-Carver). “House Republicans attempted to ensure the system was for Massachusetts families and veterans but Democrats are more concerned with the criminal illegal aliens they have welcomed and protected while many rape, murder and steal.
(A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.)
Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes Sen. Patricia Jehlen Yes