Since September, the number of homeless families coming to the state for help has grown every month. Demand accelerated this spring. Today, the new Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities is adding staff and working around the clock to find shelter for people, many of them new to the state.
This influx is testing the capacity of cities and human services agencies in the Pioneer Valley. And it is testing patience with the state, which had promised to cap the numbers of migrants and other homeless people placed in available shelters around Massachusetts – including in 38 motels.
