Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey’s office plans to turn a National Guard armory in Lexington into a temporary “safety net” shelter for illegal immigrants. boston herald It was reported on Monday.
The Lexington Armory is approximately 35,000 square feet and includes an assembly hall, dining hall with classroom space, kitchen, showers, and administrative space.
The Office of Housing and Livability said nine members of the Massachusetts National Guard are currently using the building to perform administrative duties. Despite plans to convert the facility into an evacuation space, security personnel will continue to use the building daily.
Scott Rice, director of emergency services and a retired Air National Guard lieutenant general, told news outlets that the armory will provide housing for 55 families. According to the Boston Herald, the site will also be open to the following users: American homeless family. The governor argued that many of the people using the state’s emergency shelter program are Massachusetts residents.
“We have identified a state-owned building in Lexington as the site of a safety net for families experiencing homelessness. Preparations are underway in close collaboration with local authorities and the site will open next month is scheduled to open,” Rice told the media. .
Many of the illegal immigrants living in this facility are currently Melnea Cass Recreation Center in Roxbury, one of Boston’s poorest neighborhoods. Ms. Healy received a wave of backlash earlier this year over her office’s decision to convert the space into an overflow shelter for undocumented immigrants. The community center is scheduled to reopen in May.
MassGOP released a statement in response to the governor’s decision to turn the armory into a shelter.
“For years, homeless veterans have taken over our streets without access to the options they need. It wasn’t until the immigration crisis hit Massachusetts that Democrats pushed to house homeless people. We didn’t take such extreme measures. Now we’re seeing transitional housing facilities like this popping up all over the place,” said Congressman Brad Jones. is not a priority, but shockingly, Democrats quickly killed it. Clearly, the Democratic Party’s priorities are not aligned with residents’ values. Federal,” the Mass Republican said.
“It is important to emphasize to residents that those planning to take up residence here and in all of these transitional tourist destinations do not fall under the 7,500 household limit imposed on the shelter system. The immigrant population in the Commonwealth is far above the limit and there is no end in sight, but the situation is worse and more expensive than people realize. ” added the Mass Republican Party.
Massachusetts is the only state in the nation with a right-to-refuge law. Many are calling for the law to be overhauled as the illegal immigration crisis continues to overwhelm the state’s emergency shelter system, which is capped at 7,500 households.
According to EOHLC, 7,483 households were in the state’s shelter system as of Friday, the Boston Herald reported. A further 350 families are living in ‘safety net’ facilities while waiting for further long-term accommodation.
The influx of illegal immigrants seeking protection is expected to impose a significant economic burden on state taxpayers, totaling nearly $1 billion annually. According to , Massachusetts budget writers reported that the state currently spends $75 million per month to support the shelter system. boston herald.
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