Statement on Homeless / Migrant Families Placed in Hudson
/FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement on Homeless / Migrant Families Placed in Hudson
August 14, 2023
Governor Healey’s office recently informed the Town of Hudson that the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) would be placing homeless and migrant families at a lodging site in Hudson. As of Friday, August 10, 2023, 15 families, including more than 40 individual adults and children, have arrived in town. More families are expected to arrive over the coming weeks and months, as the State’s emergency shelter system continues to be strained by rising homelessness and migrants arriving daily.
On Tuesday, August 8, 2023, Governor Healey declared a state of emergency “due to rapidly rising numbers of migrant families arriving in Massachusetts in need of shelter and services and a severe lack of shelter availability in the state.” According to the Governor’s press release, “there are currently nearly 5,600 families or more than 20,000 individuals in state shelter, including children and pregnant women.” Under the Commonwealth’s 1983 “right-to-shelter” statute, homeless families are guaranteed emergency housing. Once the state’s network of approximately 3,600 shelter beds reaches capacity, EOHLC contracts with hotels/motels and other entities that are able to provide alternative emergency housing.
The Town’s response to these newly-arrived families is being led by the Hudson Health Department and has included quickly partnering with state and local agencies to meet their immediate and most critical needs. The state Department of Public Health (DPH) is supporting the medical needs of these families and has already activated a Rapid Response Team to conduct assessments and administer vaccines as needed. Hudson Public Schools (HPS) has already begun working with the families to support the developmental and educational needs of the children. The Health Department will continue to serve as the primary point of contact, and will coordinate directly with local non-profits, faith-based groups and civic organizations to provide the necessary supports.
The families experiencing homelessness, most of whom are asylum seekers, have shown much resilience and are extremely grateful to now be in a safe and supportive environment. Their needs are many and they have a long road ahead, but we are certain that the welcoming, caring community that is Hudson will join together to support them.
To aid these families, as of Monday, August 14, 2023, in-kind donations can be dropped off at the Hudson Fire Headquarters located at 296 Cox Street 7 days/week 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Please see the list below for the most critically needed items. Additionally, the Town is launching the Hudson Homeless Fund in order to accept monetary donations, all of which will go directly towards meeting the needs of anyone experiencing homelessness in Hudson. Monetary donations can be made in-person at the Hudson Health Department office at Town Hall, 78 Main Street, during normal business hours (Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM). Monetary donations can also be made electronically via the Town’s website at tinyurl.com/HudsonHomelessFund.
For in-kind donations, the following items are the most critically needed at this time:
NEW ITEMS ONLY!
• Diapers & Wipes - Most needed diaper sizes: Newborn, 1, 3, 4, 6 Pull-ups
• Personal Care Items: shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothbrushes & toothpaste (adult & child), lotion, Chapstick, shaving cream, razors, baby soap & lotion • Feminine Hygiene Products
• Laundry Detergent (pods only)
• Ziploc Bags
• NEW Adult & Child Clothing for ages infant – adult (undergarments, socks, shoes, etc.)
• Over-the-Counter Medication for adults, children and infants (Tylenol, Motrin, Advil, Pedialyte)
• Bottled Water
• Shelf-Stable Juice (ex. apple juice)
• Individually-Packed Snacks (ex. chips, Gold Fish, animal crackers, etc.)
• Microwaveable/Cup Mac & Cheese
• Activities for adults & children (ex. decks of cards, Uno, Mancala, chalk, PlayDoh, books)
• Liquid Hand Soap & Hand Sanitizer
• Gift Cards: Market Basket, Walmart, Panera Bread, Qdoba
Every effort is being made to connect these families to the resources they need. To learn more about how you can help, please contact the Hudson Health Department at Health@townofhudson.org or (978) 562 – 2020 option 6.
For press inquiries regarding the state’s Emergency Shelter system, please contact Kevin Connor at Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities (EOHLC) at Kevin.Connor@mass.gov or (617) 874 – 0126.
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