The state government plans to eliminate a controversial emergency shelter program that places about 1,700 homeless families in motels and hotels paid by taxpayers, but housing advocates are worried officials will not be able to come up with better alternatives.
Aaron Gornstein, undersecretary of the state Department of Housing and Community Development, said the state aims to phase out the program — now near peak levels — by June 30, 2014.
Comments
80$ x 30days+ bedbugs + lice + cooped up in motel on highway with limited access to healthy food. There has to be better policy using 2400 per month per family. I would suggest, Ask the families.
$2400 is double what I've paid rent for a decent apartment, and there is plenty of open housing. Ending this program is a win-win, if it puts families back in regular housing.
It is about time! Expensive, terrible and dangerous policy has gone on for too long. Why will it take another year and a half to stop this ? New State Senator Joan Lovely of Salem made this her top campaign priority and I hope she will push for speedier action and get those families and those kids out of the motels along Rte One. It's an unacceptable shame.
Wow! You just can't wait to throw them out into the mid-winter climate. Why not come up with a solution rather than complain.
I don't think anyone is throwing them out in the mid winter climate, Lordfalcon, but it's not a good use of money, terribly expensive and more importantly can you imagine trying to raise your family in a hotel room? It must be horrible for parents and kids. I think for the money the state is dishing out, I am sure there's some kind of apartment housing type scenario that would be better. Why doesn't the state make some kind of housing for people in need like this? Doesn't have to be fancy, maybe communal kitchen, laundry, etc.. but privacy for a mom or dad to properly raise their families?
It is not just 80 a day the towns have to pay for the schooling. If we pass a threshold of the number of students stae law states we need another school. 40+ kids in my town alone. $6,000 per child per year.
The story says motels cost $80 a night, but does not say how much traditional shelters cost. Perhaps the Globe or someone else can enlighten us.
The state could use some of the thousands of Section 8 vouchers it administers, but won't do that. Why?