Massachusetts
As money runs out, Massachusetts Democrats Will Need Hundreds of Millions of Dollars for Shelter System
By Alison Kuznitz, Sam Drysdale
The House’s top Democrat said Monday he’s only now begun evaluating Gov. Maura Healey’s supplemental budget request filed last month to fund the state’s over-capacity emergency shelter system that is set to run out of money this spring.
“Well, we’re just taking a look at it now. We’re taking a look at how people are going to address it,” House Speaker Ron Mariano told reporters when asked about the status of Healey’s request to drain a state fund to accommodate the surge of new arrivals and homeless families seeking shelter in Massachusetts.
Accompanying Healey’s fiscal 2025 budget proposal, which maintained level-funding of $325 million for the state’s emergency shelter system, the administration also filed a supplemental budget to drain the remainder of the state Transitional Escrow Fund balance of $863 million. The additional money is needed to cover shelter caseloads, school districts costs, case management, and health and community services for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, administration officials have said.
House budget chief Rep. Aaron Michlewitz said in November that he expects a $250 million funding injection that lawmakers approved this fall to get the state’s shelter system through the winter months and into the spring. The initial $325 million that state officials allocated for shelter costs in the state budget ran out this month.
“To be clear,” Michlewitz said in November, “we face some hard decisions and choices ahead for 2024 and beyond.”
Following a private meeting with Healey and Senate President Karen Spilka Monday, when asked whether there was urgency to tackle Healey’s request with the existing money slated to run out this spring, Mariano said, “Sure, we know when it expires.”
Pressed for more specifics on when the existing shelter funds will expire, the speaker replied, “Not right at this moment.”
Mariano said he was waiting to see the administration’s latest shelter report, which tracks spending and caseloads, due Monday to the Legislature.
“We’ll continue to work with the administration as they make changes in how they’re dealing with the overflows in the folks coming in,” he said.
The administration’s latest report, shared with the News Service on Monday, showed the state has spent $395 million on emergency assistance costs in fiscal 2024 — an increase of $35 million compared to the last report on Feb. 8 and $70 million above what was originally allocated for the fiscal year.
This leaves about $180 million left until the state has spent the now $575 million they have to fund shelters this fiscal year — with each report showing that they spend around $40 million every two weeks.
The administration has spent $16.6 million to pay shelter providers, the report from Secretary of Administration and Finance Matt Gorzkowicz and Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus says.
Spilka, asked about her branch’s timeline to consider Healey’s request, said, “We have to wait for the House, and they are looking at it now. We will take it in short order after the House does it.”
Mariano in January cited slowing tax collections as a factor in making decisions about shelter funding. “As revenues continue to bottom out and flatten, it becomes harder and harder to support some of these things,” he said last month.
Lifeguards rescued a swimmer from the water at Houghton’s Pond in Milton, Massachusetts on Friday.
Massachusetts State Police confirmed they were called to the pond at 1 p.m. When they arrived, they found that lifeguards had pulled a swimmer from the water. The victim, who was conscious and alert, was taken to the hospital for further treatment.
This is the same place an 18-year-old swimmer died after he was pulled from the water last month.
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A Massachusetts city with one of the nation’s largest Cape Verdean communities has imposed a temporary curfew ahead of Friday’s historic World Cup match between the West African nation and Argentina.
The curfew will be in effect in Brockton, just south of Boston, from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Saturday.
City officials said the decision follows recent World Cup celebrations that led to dangerous and unlawful behavior.
“World Cup celebrations have resulted in incidents of reckless driving, illegal street gatherings, vandalism, assaults, fireworks violations, disorderly conduct and other criminal activities,” the city said.
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A Cape Verde fan attends the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at Miami Stadium in Miami on June 21, 2026. (Craig Williamson/SNS Group)
Brockton is home to one of the largest Cape Verdean communities in the United States, with nearly one in four residents identifying as Cape Verdean, according to local outlet The Enterprise.
Friday’s match was expected to draw large celebrations, as the 2026 tournament marks the first time the African island nation has qualified for the FIFA World Cup.
Following previous World Cup matches, Brockton police said several people were injured in shootings that erupted during postgame celebrations, according to local outlet Boston 25 News — prompting city officials to impose the temporary curfew ahead of Friday’s matchup.
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A mural on the side of the Mayor Bill Carpenter Garage in Brockton, Massachusetts, on Oct. 8, 2020. (Lane Turner/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Under the curfew order, no one will be permitted to enter establishments serving alcohol after 7 p.m.
Patrons already inside will be allowed to remain until 10 p.m., but “last calls” for alcoholic beverages must end by 9:30 p.m.
The city said only limited exceptions to the curfew will be permitted.
Such cases include law enforcement officers and other first responders, individuals traveling directly to or from lawful employment, those seeking medical care, and those responding to emergencies.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha celebrates at the end of the World Cup Group H match against Uruguay in Miami Gardens, Florida, on June 21, 2026. (Lynne Sladky/AP)
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Brockton officials described the measure as a public safety measure intended to preserve public order.
“The purpose of this curfew is to protect public safety, reduce criminal activity associated with post-match celebrations, and enable police, fire, and emergency personnel to effectively maintain order and respond to emergencies,” the city said.
“Residents and visitors are urged to celebrate responsibly, obey all laws, avoid unlawful gatherings, and cooperate with public safety officials to ensure that all World Cup celebrations remain peaceful and safe.”
PEABODY, Mass. (WWLP) – A Peabody resident is celebrating a big lottery win after claiming a $500,000 top prize in a Massachusetts State Lottery instant ticket game.
David McHenry won one of the top prizes in the Massachusetts State Lottery’s “$500,000 Frenzy” instant ticket game, lottery officials announced Wednesday.
McHenry chose to receive his winnings as a one-time payment of $500,000 before taxes.
The winning ticket was purchased at E Market Convenience Store & Deli, located at 598 Lowell St. in Peabody. The retailer will receive a $5,000 bonus from the Massachusetts State Lottery for selling the winning ticket.
According to lottery officials, McHenry’s prize marks the seventh $500,000 top prize claimed in the “$500,000 Frenzy” instant ticket game.
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