Massachusetts residents are outraged by recently announced plans to convert a former housing unit for Boston veterans into a homeless shelter as the city becomes flooded with migrants.
Democrat Gov. Maura Healey announced that the administration will convert the former Chelsea Soldiers’ Home facility, which is vacant and slated for demolition, into a safety net site in April.
It will house 100 families who qualify for the state’s emergency family shelter system, which has been running at capacity for months.
However, residents of the Bay State are outraged that former veterans housing is being converted into a migrant shelter, while 545 veterans were homeless in one night in Massachusetts in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Resident Dick McGrath said on Facebook: “Is it just me, or is there something wrong with housing migrants at the Chelsea Soldiers Home instead of homeless veterans?”
Massachusetts shelters reached capacity in November, with 7,500 families in the system. Hundreds of migrants had to sleep at the airport in January
Healey announced on March 25 that families must document their involvement in case management and rehousing on a monthly basis to remain eligible to stay in shelters.
Democrat Gov. Maura Healey said the administration will convert the former Chelsea Soldiers’ Home facility, which is vacant and slated for demolition, into a safety net site in April.
Massachusetts residents are outraged by recently announced plans to convert a former housing unit for veterans in Boston (pictured) into a homeless shelter
George Belmonte said: ‘I can’t believe the Chelsea soldiers’ house, which is for the vets, is going to be used because of the overflow of immigrants. How about taking care of the homeless vets first? “I’m all for helping people, but what about taking care of those who are already here and are homeless?”
Bay Stater Eileen Jeffrey said on Facebook: “The Chelsea soldiers house is now a migrant shelter. There are thousands of homeless vets. Are you joking!’
Mike Junior said, “They would tear that building down, but let’s put migrants in it, not our own soldiers, not our own people, not those who fought for OUR FREEDOM.”
Blake Habyan said on Twitter: ‘Illegals are given priority over US citizens. Who will they take away next time?’
Secretary of Veterans Services Dr. Jon Santiago emphasized that the site’s transformation will not impact veterans’ services.
“Massachusetts has proven that we can care for veterans and families experiencing homelessness in our state,” Santiago said.
“While EOVS previously operated the building slated for demolition, this project operates independently and will not impact daily routines or services at the Massachusetts Veterans Home in Chelsea.”
Governor Healey announced on March 25 that families will be required to document their involvement in case management and rehousing efforts monthly to remain eligible to stay on a state safety net beginning May 1.
On March 22, the Massachusetts Senate approved limits on how long homeless families can stay in emergency shelters, part of an $850 million plan to fund the system at the center of the migrant crisis.
The maximum stay was limited to nine months, with the possibility of an additional 90 days for veterans, pregnant women and people in employment or vocational training.
The Melnea Cass Recreational Center in Roxbury is closed to the local community and converted into a homeless shelter for 400 migrants in February.
The Melnea Cass Recreational Center in Roxbury is closed to the local community and converted into a homeless shelter for 400 migrants in February.
Boston Councilwoman Julia Mejia told NBC10 Boston that residents should consider housing migrants in their private homes to combat the crisis
Grace Curley, a radio host for Boston radio station WRKO, told Fox News that asking residents to house migrants will cause a lot of problems
In January, hundreds of migrants were forced to sleep on the floor at Boston Logan International Airport, with nowhere else to go.
Massachusetts shelters reached capacity in November, with 7,500 families in the system.
Boston city councilor Julia Mejia said NBC10 Boston that residents should consider housing migrants in their private homes to combat the crisis.
“Dedham, Wellesley, Brookline – towns and villages that have so many more resources than the city of Boston. For people who are actually going to get more financial support, we need to do everything we can to make sure that we’re setting them up for success or whatever success looks like,” Mejia said.
Grace Curley, a radio host for Boston radio station WRKO, shared Fox news: ‘This is not going to be a kumbaya moment, this is probably going to cause a lot of problems and there will be a lot of unhappy people.’