As the government of Democratic Governor Maura Healey searches for other locations to shelter migrants, Boston officials are getting ready to turn over the city’s Old Chelsea Soldiers’ Home to host illegal immigrants.
Because of “overcapacity” at its already operating shelters, according to Healy’s office, the Soldiers’ Home facility will be the next in line to receive migrants.
The facility will eventually house roughly 100 families, according to the city.
Applying for shelter has become more difficult for illegal immigrants because of a new rule the city implemented requiring them to enroll in state programs designed to wean them off of government support.
Emergency Assistance Director Scott Rice told the Boston Herald, “We have maintained for months now that our system is at capacity, and we do not have the room, providers, or resources to continue expanding.” “A responsible start to address the capacity restrictions at our safety-net facilities is this new certification policy. Families will have to show that they have made progress toward being independent and leaving shelters.
It will be mandatory for applicants to hunt for employment or take part in training courses.
Hundreds more are still on their way to the city in the meantime.
Finding strategies to handle the surge of illegal immigrants brought in by President Joe Biden has left city leaders reeling. One idea has been for private individuals to house illegal families in their houses.
Additionally, the city has diverted millions of dollars from municipal services to support immigrant care.
Nonetheless, many locals have not exactly embraced the proposals.
In February, the mayor of Boston shut down a community center to hold more of Biden’s illegal border crossers, which infuriated local residents in the mostly black Roxbury area.
The Healy government faced criticism for Logan International Airport’s migrant housing.
According to a February study from the state, it is on schedule to spend $1 billion by 2025 feeding migrants.
