Seeking Shelter
Stories of how Massachusetts is responding to a rapid rise in migrants. The new arrivals are filling family shelters, bringing new challenges for schools, and testing state leaders' commitment to welcome newcomers.
A migrant family sprints for housing as shelter clock ticks
As Massachusetts moved to limit shelter costs and stays, the Eduoards and other migrant families stared down a fast-approaching deadline. If they failed to find a home of their own,...
A migrant family’s search for home through a political storm
The Edouards came to Boston last year after hearing there was help in Massachusetts for migrants. But just as they settled in, the political climate was shifting, as costs surged...
The perils and promises driving migrants to Massachusetts
Amid the gang violence and lawlessness consuming Haiti — and American politicians casting a spotlight on the flow of migrants from the island nation — WBUR set out to learn...
Migrants show up at Logan for shelter, prompting fresh calls for state to change policies
An advocate for migrant families said he believes some families are reluctant to go into a temporary shelter, because it prevents them from getting longer-term emergency housing support.
A timeline of the Massachusetts shelter crisis — and Healey's changes to the system
Gov. Maura Healey has instituted a series of restrictions on Massachusetts Emergency Assistance shelter system – capping the total number of people housed and how long they can stay. Here's...
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Activists mobilize to find migrants shelter as state restrictions begin
Small-scale efforts to help migrants are happening all over the Boston Area, from churches and activists opening up spaces to Haitians lending a hand to compatriots who arrive with nothing.
Calls grow for Gov. Healey to end 5-day cap on overflow shelter stays
Medical providers, homelessness prevention workers and immigrant advocates rallied at the State House Thursday to call on state leaders to reverse a controversial cap on stays in overflow shelters. Dr....
Advocates urge Gov. Healey to reverse course on shelter limits
With some families facing eviction from overflow shelter sites later this week, the Massachusetts Coalition for Health Equity is collecting signatures on an open letter urging the governor to reverse...
State's new 5-day shelter limit alarms housing providers
“Now the question, of course, is where are people going to go?" said Lyndia Downie, head of the Pine Street Inn. "And I don't wholly know the answer to that.”
Healey places new limits on emergency family shelter program
Some people will now be limited to five days in the state's overflow shelters. The state also is changing how it prioritizes the waitlist for families experiencing homelessness.
As Logan migrants are funneled to a former prison, changes at Terminal E
An area at Logan Airport used for months as a shelter of last resort for hundreds of people was transformed Tuesday into a construction staging area. State officials are no...
What to know about the new rule against sleeping overnight at Logan Airport
Starting Tuesday, Boston's Logan Airport will no longer allow people experiencing homelessness to sleep overnight at the airport, after Terminal E became a de facto shelter for an increasing number...
Mass. ban on 'de facto' shelter at Logan Airport begins Tuesday night
Dozens of families have lined airport floors for months following an increase in immigration and Gov. Maura Healey's decision to cap the state's emergency shelter system.
House, Senate approve plan to cap family shelter stays at 9 months and up budget by $251 million
The agreement would pull another $251 million from the so-called Transitional Escrow Account to help pay for fiscal 2024 shelter system costs, with another $175 million available in the budget...
New day shelter opens in Chelsea, as state shelters remain full
La Colaborativa plans to open a new day shelter Tuesday in Chelsea to provide services for up to 200 people. The shelter is supported by a state grant administered by...
Pregnant newcomers to Mass. can face hurdles when seeking care
As Massachusetts grapples with an increase in new immigration, medical care is one of the challenges. This is particularly true for people who are pregnant. Patients and medical teams report...
Tracing the path to Massachusetts for thousands of new Haitian immigrants
Massachusetts has seen a dramatic increase in the number of immigrants moving to the state, and local officials say it is straining the state's safety net. While each person has...
Massachusetts overflow shelters, as seen through one family’s eyes
Since arriving in Massachusetts in mid-December, John's family has been on a harrowing journey. With their young daughter, he and his wife spent 12 nights sleeping on the hard floor...
Healey, Boston officials tour Roxbury rec center ahead of immigrants' arrival from Logan
About 75 people are expected to move into the facility Wednesday. Healey thanked the Roxbury community for vacating the center until the end of May, saying, "We're here today because...
Boston's Logan Airport is a 'de facto shelter' for homeless families
Between 100 and 200 people, including young children, have been sent by the state’s Family Welcome Centers to sleep in a baggage claim area. "I don't want to be rude,...