Domestic Policy
Should Massachusetts Taxpayers Fund $1 Billion for Migrant Shelters?
Should Massachusetts Taxpayers Fund $1 Billion for Migrant Shelters?
Here’s The Scoop
Massachusetts taxpayers are facing an eye-popping $1 billion bill for the state’s emergency shelter program in FY25, largely due to the surge of migrant families benefiting from these services. Governor Maura Healey’s administration has already shelled out a staggering $830 million since the fiscal year began on July 1, providing taxpayer-funded shelter, food, education, legal aid, and case management to over 4,000 families.
The spending breaks down to about $3,496 per week per family, or roughly $1,000 per person, under the Emergency Assistance (EA) system. This is a hefty price tag for taxpayers, especially considering that a significant portion of these funds supports migrant families.
A recent report from the Massachusetts Executive Office for Housing and Livable Communities reveals that $679.6 million has gone to direct shelter costs, while an additional $149.7 million has been spent on various services, including education aid, work programs, and even National Guard payroll for security.
Out of the 4,088 families in the system, approximately 1,600 are migrants. However, this number could be even higher since many migrant families are classified as “Massachusetts residents” for eligibility purposes. This influx of migrants, a direct consequence of the Biden administration’s policies, has overwhelmed the state, forcing many to sleep at Logan Airport as temporary shelters were hastily arranged in hotels.
Currently, 599 hotel rooms are being used for this program, although the number of hotels serving as shelters has decreased from over 100 to just 28. The Healey administration plans to close all hotel shelters by the end of the year, aiming to reduce the caseload to 4,000 families.
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll emphasized the importance of closing hotel shelters to save the state hundreds of millions annually and better support families. However, this comes as border crossings have reportedly hit historic lows, with former Trump administration border czar Tom Homan noting that Border Patrol encountered just 95 illegal immigrants in a single day recently.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Kennealy criticized the report, stating that taxpayers are “being forced to bankroll billions to an unaccountable, broken system that perpetuates the migrant crisis—and we’re fed up.” With families struggling to afford basic necessities, the state’s expenditure of $15,166 per family per month is not only outrageous but offensive.
As the fiscal year draws to a close on June 30, Massachusetts is on track to exceed $1.06 billion in spending, raising serious questions about the sustainability and accountability of this system.
What do you think? Let us know by participating in our poll, or join the discussion in the comment section below!
Mark Smith
June 19, 2025 at 7:59 am
MAKE ALL OF THE POLITICIANS PAY FOR THIS they are the ones that allowed these ILLEGALS into America. take the money directly out of their Bank Accounts and Garnish all of their pay until it’s paid back.
sick n tired
June 19, 2025 at 9:50 am
It is really upsetting that we allow these people to break into our country, then we pay for all the comforts of home – housing, food, healthcare, schools, clothes, phones, jobs, social security and welfare!!! At what point are we going to stop glorifying their existence in our country!! They rape and murder and all we do is slap their hand and set them free to rape and murder some more! No one wants to talk about the 500,000 children who came in and now lost into the child trafficking system! What about all the diseases, drugs, fentanyl, weapons that these people are bringing in to sell to Americans that kill them??!!! This has got to stop!! If they caravanned into our country, lets set up a caravan for them to leave this country!!!!! NO MORE MONEY AND FREEBEES! WE ARE DONE!
ernaldo
June 19, 2025 at 10:14 am
Those proposed shelters won’t be needed soon….MAGA!
Puckmeister Casey
June 19, 2025 at 3:50 pm
This plan creates dependency immediately. The reality must change to “How do we get this fiasco rectified”?
Just seems like fiscal irresponsibility with the same dumb thought process. The resident taxpayers have become sheep led by wolves that they will all live to regret. What is the plan? How many can even speak English? Oh well, I just do not see any good coming from this.
Semper Fi
ps No Disrespect to Legal or illegal immigrants. I just do not want to support any of them until you can get our own people fed, housed, and with healthcare, that is not free to your own constituents. I also feel like illegal entry should not qualify anyone for our rights and privledges.
Puckmeister Casey
June 19, 2025 at 4:01 pm
The cost for this is 267.07, Simple math 1,000,000,000. Divided byfull time employed in MA 3,744,201. Factoring in part time = to be generous, Full time, the amount 1s roughly 135.00 Annualy to deal with the influx.
ps, never claimed to be brilliant, just my simple mind looking for reasonable answers.
Jerry C.
June 20, 2025 at 4:58 am
Only if they’re gonna move the money from enforcing their unconstitutional gun laws…