The Massachusetts House of Representatives is requesting additional details from the Healey administration before approving proposed reforms to the state's family shelter system. Concerns raised include the impact of the reforms on school systems, safety, and the effectiveness of background checks.
The Massachusetts House of Representatives' budget chief, Aaron Michlewitz, has requested more information from the Healey administration before approving Gov. Maura Healey's family shelter funding and reform plans. Michlewitz, who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee, sent a letter to Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz and Housing Secretary Edward Augustus, demanding answers to over two pages of questions by January 27th.
This comes as the committee deliberates on a $425 million shelter mini-budget (H 51) submitted since January 9th. Healey's proposal includes additional plans to reform the 1983 Right to Shelter Law. Gorzkowicz acknowledged that current funding for the shelter system is projected to run out around January 31st, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Michlewitz, in his letter, stressed the 'time-sensitive' nature of the bill's spending portion, crucial for maintaining shelter operations. He emphasized the need for greater understanding regarding the system's current operation and the significant implications of the proposed changes to the Right to Shelter Law, which has been in effect for 42 years. Michlewitz also sought information about the potential modifications to the Emergency Assistance (EA) system and its impact on beneficiaries.The Boston Democrat's questions delve into various aspects, including the impact on school systems, safety and security of the EA program, citizenship and residency requirements, and general background information. Some inquiries aim to clarify the ongoing costs associated with the family shelter system. Given the state's ongoing support for school districts facing influxes of students due to the homelessness crisis, Michlewitz requested more detailed information about the continued funding for this support, inquiring about the potential duration and monitoring mechanisms. Healey's reform proposal also includes stricter residency requirements for shelter residents, mandating proof of lawful U.S. residency for all family members and limiting eviction-based eligibility to those evicted from Massachusetts residences. However, the governor's January 15th letter did not include an estimate of how these reforms would affect state spending on the system. When she initially unveiled the bill, she stated its objective was to reduce shelter costs from the current level of approximately $1 billion in the past two years to around $400 million. Michlewitz requested updated figures from Healey's Cabinet members, including the overall reduction in costs anticipated from fiscal 2025 to fiscal 2026, and a detailed breakdown of each proposed change and its fiscal impact. Notably, Healey did not introduce legislation to implement some of her reforms, leaving the technical details to lawmakers. Michlewitz inquired about the intended duration of these changes and whether they were meant to be temporary, if so, when they would expire. The questions also addressed the potential impact of former President Donald Trump's executive orders, issued shortly after Healey's letter, which affected the right to citizenship. Michlewitz asked Gorzkowicz and Augustus to explain how these orders might influence the shelters and the proposed January 15th reforms. The request for information follows an incident involving the arrest of 28-year-old Leonardo Andujar Sanchez, a Dominican national residing at a Revere family shelter. Sanchez was allegedly found with five kilograms of fentanyl and a loaded AR-style rifle, prompting scrutiny of the administration's background checks on shelter residents. While the administration initially claimed to conduct comprehensive background checks, they later admitted to not doing so. Healey's reform proposal mandates CORI checks before families are placed in shelters, but some lawmakers have raised concerns that the CORI system might not capture crimes committed in other countries. Rep. Steven Xiarhos, a Barnstable Republican and former 40-year police officer, emphasized the need for a more comprehensive background check system that goes beyond Massachusetts records
Massachusetts Healey Administration Family Shelter Reforms Funding Right To Shelter Law Emergency Assistance Background Checks CORI School Districts Homelessness
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