Need emergency housing? Please hold

Families seeking emergency housing in Massachusetts are finding themselves locked out of the state's family shelter system. The reason? The main hotline that is supposed to help match people with housing isn't working properly, leaving people stuck on hold for hours – even days – on end.

WBUR senior health and science reporter Gabrielle Emanuel joins the show to explain why this vital service is failing.

Read the rest of Gabrielle's reporting on this issue here.