By Bob Katzen

House 27-129, rejected an amendment that would place further restrictions on the state’s right to shelter law by limiting participation in the commonwealth’s emergency housing assistance program to U.S. citizens who have resided in Massachusetts for at least six months.

“Over the last two years, the state’s emergency shelter system has been plagued by cost overruns, fueled by the migrant crisis, which has led to waiting lists for services,” said Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “This amendment would help restore the original intent of the right to shelter law by ensuring that Massachusetts residents in need have access to emergency shelter.”

Rep. Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley) opposed the amendment and said it would unfairly restrict eligibility for the emergency shelter program to citizens of the United States and make legal residents ineligible. She argued that it also raises constitutional questions around defined length of residency. She said that the state has put in a number of controls on this program and the number of people using it and seeking to use the program, is now down to 4,804 families.
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(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Christine Barber No Rep. Mike Connolly No Rep. Paul Donato No Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Didn’t Vote