Governor Maura Healey proposed significant new changes to the state’s Right to Shelter law, including imposing a statutory residency requirement for families and strengthening criminal background checks. The Governor submitted the recommendations in a letter to the Senate President, Speaker, and House and Senate Ways and Means Chairs, urging the changes to be in the Emergency Assistance (EA) Supplemental Budget.
The latest problem for the Right to Shelter Law occurred at the Quality Inn in Revere on December 27 where an illegal immigrant was arrested for having more than $2M in fentanyl and carrying an unregistered rifle.
“I have evaluated the Right to Shelter Law and regulations as well as the operational burdens on the system. Based on that review, and in the face of continued inaction by Congress and no assistance from the federal government, I believe these changes are appropriate and needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the state shelter system in a way that aligns with the original intent of the law,” said Governor Maura Healey. “In addition, these proposed changes will allow us to continue to ensure the safety of our system, support cities and towns in addressing the needs of unhoused families in their communities and put us on the path toward a more fiscally sustainable shelter system.”
“Our administration has made progress in making the shelter system more fiscally and operationally sustainable,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re now seeing unprecedented numbers of families exiting shelter for permanent housing because of the work we’ve done, including a more effective use of housing stabilization programs, workforce training, and job placements.”
Among the proposed changes to the Right to Shelter law include:
• Strengthening criminal background checks. Governor Healey’s proposal would require all applicants to disclose criminal convictions in Massachusetts or elsewhere. It will also codify the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities’ policy of conducting a CORI check prior to placement.
• Implementing a statutory requirement of residency and intent to remain. Currently, any intent to remain in Massachusetts may be proven solely through self attestation. This change would require that anyone receiving EA show an intent to remain in Massachusetts, either through independent documentary verification or through three months of physical presence in the state.
• Eliminating presumptive eligibility. Under existing law, shelter applicants are presumed to be eligible for shelter and receive shelter benefits prior to producing the necessary documentation. Under Governor Healey’s proposals, shelter applicants would be required to verify their identity, residency, and status prior to placement.
• Changes to eviction eligibility criteria. Currently, families may be eligible for shelter based on several types of no-fault eviction, but without geographic limitation. As a result, people who have been evicted in other states may come to Massachusetts for shelter. The administration proposes requiring evictions to occur in Massachusetts to support eligibility, eliminating the scenario where a neighboring state eviction leads to an individual coming to Massachusetts to seek EA shelter benefits.
• Requiring lawful status for all members of families with rare exceptions. Governor Healey’s proposal would require all family members to show they are U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the U.S., with the rare exception for those households that include a child who is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
Massachusetts became the only state in the country to adopt a Right to Shelter law 40 years ago, which was designed to provide housing for families in need, specifically pregnant women and children experiencing homelessness. For the past three years, thousands of families have been arriving in Massachusetts from other states and other countries seeking shelter. Since taking office in 2023, Governor Healey has implemented a series of reforms to manage the size and cost of the system, including setting a cap of 7,500 families and implementing length of stay requirements. She recently announced that the administration will phase out the use of hotels and motels as shelters by the end of 2025.
These proposed changes follow Governor Healey’s recent announcement requiring CORI checks on all EA applicants in addition to background checks already occurring, conducting inspections at all shelter sites, and hiring former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis to lead an independent, outside review of security at EA shelters. The supplemental budget she filed earlier this month also proposed reducing the length of stay at EA shelters from nine months to six months.
Since November 2023, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has helped more than 6,000 shelter residents get work authorizations and secured thousands of job placements. These efforts have helped more than 4,500 families exit shelter in the past year, and 430 families have successfully exited temporary respite centers (TRCs) since August 1. In addition to exits, more than 700 families have been diverted from EA shelter in the past year due to investment in services that help families avoid shelter and quickly get back on their feet.
In preparation for colder temperatures, National Grid encourages its Massachusetts customers to take advantage of energy programs that can help manage their energy bills and keep their homes comfortable.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), commonly referred to as Fuel Assistance, provides eligible households with help in paying a portion of winter heating bills. Enrollment for LIHEAP is free and open through April 30, 2025.
LIHEAP is open to homeowners and renters, including households whose cost of heat is included in rent. Eligibility is based on household size and the gross annual income of every household member 18 or older. Household income cannot exceed 60% of the estimated state median income. The program provides assistance through a fixed benefit amount for the cost of the primary source of heat, which includes, but is not limited to, electricity, oil, natural gas, propane, kerosene, wood, and coal.
“National Grid recognizes that energy bills can be a real challenge for many customers – especially in the colder winter months,” said Bill Malee, Chief Customer Officer at National Grid. “The LIHEAP program can provide much-needed assistance for customers struggling to keep up with their energy costs and helps cover energy usage dating back to November 1, 2024. We also encourage customers to visit us at one of our Customer Assistance Events, where attendees can meet with National Grid assistance program experts in person and explore options to manage their energy bills and ways to save money.”
To apply for LIHEAP:
• Apply online at https://www.toapply.org/MassLIHEAP
• Visit and apply at an agency in your area.
For more information concerning LIHEAP:
• Visit https://www.mass.gov/service-details/learn-about-low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap.
• Customers may also call the Cold Relief Heatline at (800) 632-8175.
LIHEAP is funded by an annual federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, and administered by a network of local agencies, in many areas the same agency that administers the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP or fuel assistance).
“Thousands of families across Massachusetts depend on LIHEAP assistance to keep their homes warm during the winter,” said U.S. Representative Lori Trahan of Massachusetts. “That’s why I’ve always encouraged anyone in need of help to check their eligibility, connect with their local community action agency or National Grid, and apply for home heating assistance as soon as possible.”
Along with LIHEAP, National Grid customers have access to several programs designed to help reduce energy use and lower energy costs, manage their energy bills and payments, and help them secure available energy assistance. Programs include but are not limited to:
• Discount Rates where qualifying income-eligible customers may receive a discounted rate on electric and gas service, as well as no-cost energy efficiency upgrades.
• The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund is available to income eligible Massachusetts resident who, because of temporary financial difficulty, cannot meet a month’s energy expense and is not eligible for state or federal energy assistance.
• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) provides financial relief to eligible households to help them pay their winter heating bills, ensuring they can keep their homes safe and warm during the colder months. HEAP is a free, statewide resource that assists eligible renters and homeowners by paying a portion of their winter heating bills directly to their heating companies.
• Customers may enroll in programs such as the Budget Billing Plan, which spreads monthly payments out more evenly throughout the year to offset periods of high energy usage.
• Through a No-Cost Home Energy Assessment, National Grid sets customers up with an energy specialist who will walk through the home, create a customized energy report, and provide no-cost energy-saving products, such as advanced power strips, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and programmable thermostats for installation in a home. Interested Massachusetts customers can call 1-866-527-SAVE (7283). More information is available at: ngrid.com/assessment. Customers are encouraged to visit ngrid.com/heretohelp to explore assistance options and learn more. National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future — transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For more information, please visit our website, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), watch us on YouTube, like us on Facebook and find us on Instagram.