Woburn Housing Migrant Families Under MA 'Right To Shelter' Law

WOBURN, MA — Woburn Mayor Scott Galvin has announced that the city is housing 59 migrant families at local hotels after the families were placed there as part of Massachusetts' "Right to Shelter" law.

Galvin also said the state has indicated that it will establish an emergency shelter in Woburn for as many as 100 families beginning as early as this week.

In a release, Galvin offered his thoughts on the "Right to Shelter" law and on federal policy toward immigration. He noted that there would be challenges in assimilating these new families into the community and local schools, but said the city would marshal its resources to meet the challenge.

"We are prepared to support the Governor (Maura Healey) and comply with state law during this time of crisis," Galvin said in a statement. "The 'Right to Shelter' law obligates the state to provide housing for families with children and pregnant women who are homeless, and the state's policy is to place these families in hotels in cities and towns throughout the region without the need for local approval and in many instances without prior notice."

Galvin continued: "Federal inaction on immigration reform has created and worsened a nationwide immigration crisis at our borders, and the state's 'Right to Shelter' law (one of only three in the country) has made Massachusetts an attractive destination for migrants."

Galvin added: "This one/two combination is unfairly impacting communities across
the Commonwealth, where over 20,0000 migrants are currently being housed in hotels in over 90
communities, including Woburn. Unless there is change at the federal level or in state law this crisis will continue to grow."

Galvin said the city would welcome the migrant families and that taking care of the families would be a team effort.

"As Woburn residents have always done, we will help the new members of our community adjust, feel welcomed, thrive and become productive residents in our great city," Galvin said.

Galvin added: "I am confident that by working collaboratively with School Superintendent (Matthew) Crowley and his staff, Police Chief (Robert) Rufo, Fire Chief (Donald) Kenton, city departments, the School Committee, city council and local charitable organizations, we are prepared for and will meet the challenge."

Galvin also said that housing the migrants would require additional local, state and federal resources.

"The city will need state and federal support to provide the additional city resources needed, to address impacts at the school level, and deliver appropriate levels of public safety services," Galvin said. "We will be working with the governor and her staff, our state delegation on Beacon Hill and our federal delegation in Washington to make sure these resources are delivered."

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