Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has recently disclosed a plan to turn a former Boston area veteran housing unit into a shelter for homeless illegal immigrants. Healey said the government will turn the former Veterans Home at Chelsea facility into a "safety-net site."
The veterans' home is vacant and scheduled for demolition. It will be able to house 100 families who qualify for the state's Emergency Assistance family shelter system for illegal immigrants, which has been running at full capacity for months.
Beginning May 1, migrants slated to be housed at the Veterans Home at Chelsea will also have to prove they are working to get themselves off government assistance programs by applying for work authorizations, learning English and searching for permanent residency.
In addition, Healey also announced that families living in the Veterans Home will have to document involvement in case management and rehousing efforts monthly to remain qualified to stay at the state safety-net site.
"We have said for months now that our system is at capacity, and we do not have the space, providers or funding to continue expanding. This new certification policy is a responsible step to address the capacity constraints at our safety-net sites. Families will need to demonstrate that they've taken action to get on a path toward independence and out of shelter," Emergency Assistance Director Scott Rice said in a statement.
Nevertheless, citizens of the Bay State are furious that the former veteran housing center is being transformed into a shelter for illegals when hundreds of veterans continue to experience homelessness in the state. Based on a report by the Department on Housing and Urban Development, at one point in 2023 there were as many as 545 homeless veterans in the state.
Secretary Dr. Jon Santiago of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans' Services (EOVS) asserted that changing the place into a migrant shelter will not negatively affect services for veterans.
"Massachusetts has proven that we can take care of veterans and families experiencing homelessness in our state. While EOVS formerly operated the building slated for demolition, this project operates independently and will not impact the daily routines or services at the Massachusetts Veterans Home at Chelsea," Santiago said.
Massachusetts Senate approves restrictions on how long homeless families can stay in shelters
Responding to concerns over the rising number of illegals in the state, the Massachusetts Senate approved on March 22 new restrictions on how long homeless families can stay in emergency state shelters. This is part of an $850 million plan to finance the system that keeps illegal immigrants in the state housed at the expense of taxpayers.
The maximum stay was restricted to nine months. The option will be given for an additional three months added to the stay of those who are employed or enrolled in a job training program.
Veterans, pregnant women and people with disabilities, among other conditions, would be eligible for 12 consecutive months regardless of their employment status.
This comes as shelters in Massachusetts reached maximum capacity in November when 7,500 families were in the system.
