Massachusetts town blindsided by governor turning former prison into migrant shelter

Publish date: 2024-04-25

NORFOLK, Mass. (TND) — Officials in a Massachusetts town are concerned after Gov. Maura Healey revealed plans to turn a former prison into an emergency migrant shelter.

The town of Norfolk, Mass. was notified Friday that Bay State Correctional Center, a decommissioned state prison, would become a "temporary emergency shelter" under orders from the Healey administration, town officials say.

This decision was made as part of its ongoing response to the number of migrant families arriving in Massachusetts. The Town had no role in this decision and was not consulted prior," Norfolk leaders said in a statement.

Massachusetts is one of many Northeast states that have struggled to accommodate an influx of migrants arriving from the southern border and elsewhere. Gov. Healey sparked protests in Boston last week when she signed a law sending millions of additional dollars to the state's emergency shelter system.

Norfolk officials say the arrival of migrant families "poses many logistical challenges" to the town, which is home to about 12,000 residents. Local leaders are working on a list of ways the migrant arrivals will impact the town and strategies for mitigating those impacts.

We also will have regular conversations with state officials to ensure the Town’s concerns are heard, and to work collaboratively on creative solutions that are in the best interests of Norfolk," town officials said.

A spokesperson for Gov. Healey did not respond to a request for comment from The National Desk on Monday.

Massachusetts is the only state in the country that guarantees housing to all residents under a "right to shelter" law. Some local jurisdictions, such as New York City, have also passed "right to shelter" provisions. Like Massachusetts, New York City is struggling to manage an ongoing surge of migrant arrivals.

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