Massachusetts has officially shut down every hotel shelter across the state — months ahead of schedule. The emergency order is over. But for hundreds of vulnerable families, the need for help is not.

Governor Maura Healey says these closures are a sign of progress: fewer families in shelters, more in jobs and housing. But on the ground, many families — including newly arrived immigrants — still have nowhere stable to go. Hotel shelters were far from ideal, but for thousands of parents and children, they were the only option during a housing crisis that hasn’t gone away.

Now, the shelters are closed, and the state has placed the burden of care on local groups with limited resources. This move comes after major changes to the state’s Right to Shelter law — including time limits, residency requirements, and new immigration status checks. Families who once had a path to stability are being left to scramble, without enough support or clear alternatives.

We all agree: a hotel is not a home. But simply shutting the doors without guaranteeing safe housing, wraparound services, or transition plans is not reform — it’s abandonment.

We’re calling on Governor Healey and the Massachusetts Legislature to commit emergency funding and support for local organizations now being asked to carry the load. That includes funding for transitional housing, caseworkers, legal aid, and mental health support for displaced families. Without real help, these closures could push families — especially immigrants and children — into dangerous situations.

Add your name if you believe Massachusetts must do more than shut down shelters. It must protect the people they once held.