Massachusetts Lawmakers Advance Emergency Shelter Bill

Migrant families who need housing are getting ready to move into this building in the Fort Point neighborhood of Boston.Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio

BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee has advanced a bill (H 4284) that would add another $245 million to emergency family shelters, which lawmakers said should be enough to fund the system through the June 30 end of the fiscal year.

The bill also temporarily imposes length-of-stay limitations to cut costs during a period of financial strain for Beacon Hill. 

Family shelter costs have exploded over the past year.

The fiscal year 2021 state budget directed about $180 million to the system -- less than one-quarter as much as the combined allocation in fiscal 2024 if the House's proposal becomes law. 

The full House is expected to take up the bill (H 4284) in a full session.

WBZ's Shari Small (@ShariSmallNews) reports.

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