SAUGUS — State Rep. Donald Wong opposed a recently approved $425 million increase to Massachusetts’ Emergency Assistance (EA) shelter program, arguing that the bill lacks necessary financial and public safety reforms.
Gov. Maura Healey’s reforms were intended to reduce the taxpayer cost of the EA program and implement changes to make shelters safer for those living in them.
A surge of migrants has arrived in Massachusetts in search of better opportunities, with a significant influx in Saugus between 2023 and 2024.
In 2023, reports estimated that roughly 400 to 500 migrants had arrived in town and were being housed at the Red Roof Inn, Holiday Inn, Avalon Motel, and James Motel.
During a Board of Selectmen meeting at the time, Town Manager Scott Crabtree noted that many of those arriving in Massachusetts were fleeing war-torn countries or oppressive conditions. However, he said communities needed more resources and guidance from the state on how to handle the situation.
On Feb. 25, the Massachusetts House of Representatives voted 127-23 in favor of a bill that allocates an additional $425 million to the emergency family shelter system. The Senate passed the bill 32-7 on Feb. 26. Wong, along with the rest of the Republicans in both chambers, voted against it.
Wong said he could not support allocating another $425 million to the program unless additional steps are taken to improve transparency and guarantee accountability for the state’s taxpayers. Healey later signed the bill into law.
“This supplemental budget includes critical improvements that I proposed to reduce the taxpayer costs of the family shelter system and make it safer for residents and our communities. We all know that urgent action is needed to lower the cost of the system and make sure it is a viable, safe and temporary option for Massachusetts families who have fallen on hard times,” Healey said in a press release.
Safety-related changes in the bill include requiring applicants to disclose criminal history and undergo Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) checks for all household members 18 and older. The identity, residency, lawful status, and familial relationships for all household members will also be reviewed before placement.
Wong said the final bill falls short of its public safety goals by only requiring individuals applying for emergency assistance housing benefits to voluntarily disclose prior criminal convictions. He also noted that CORI checks will be conducted only before placement and will be limited to crimes committed in Massachusetts.
He added that House Republicans have continued to advocate for restoring the original intent of the state’s right-to-shelter law by prioritizing housing for Massachusetts residents, ensuring longtime residents in need are not displaced by those who have only recently arrived in the state.
