Emergency Assistance (EA) Shelter Information

Overview & Background

Beginning in August, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts started placing migrant families in Franklin as part of their Emergency Shelter Program. The Governor has declared a state of emergency as the number of arriving migrants in Massachusetts has sharply increased and the existing Emergency Shelter program is overwhelmed. Massachusetts has a "right to shelter" law for families with children and pregnant women, which means that shelter must be provided under the law.

Two National Guard personnel have been deployed to assist with the response at the Franklin shelter site.

The Town of Franklin has no role in the placement of families in local emergency shelters. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has secured a lease at Best Western through June 30, 2024, and is administering the placement of families.

Local Response

An interdepartmental working group including the Franklin Town Administration, Franklin Public Schools, Health Department, Police, Fire, and Public Library have been meeting regularly along with numerous local human and social service providers in town to coordinate emergency assistance and services to these families. These organizations include the SAFE Coalition, YMCA, Franklin Food Pantry, FISH, Interfaith Coalition, Neighbor Brigade, and more. We thank all of the organizations for their generosity and commitment to assisting these families to integrate in the community. The Town is also coordinating with state officials and Franklin's federal and state legislative delegation and is connecting with other municipalities who are also hosting emergency shelters for vulnerable families. Our Health Department is working diligently with hotel staff and designated members of the National Guard to connect families to state services, including MassHealth and SNAP benefits.

Hotel management has made space available to Town staff to meet with residents and provide public health services. The SAFE Coalition is providing diapers, wipes, diaper genies, and hygiene products. The Franklin Interfaith Council is providing language support, faith services, food, clothing, hygiene products, homework help, and extracurricular activities. FISH of Franklin is assisting with transportation to medical appointments. The Franklin YMCA is providing diapers and recreational resources. The Franklin Food Pantry and Franklin Neighbor Brigade is providing food assistance and can openers.

Current Numbers

How many people are here? The Franklin Migrant Dashboard is current in regards to the number of individuals in the EA shelter.

Impacts on Public Schools

In accordance with state and federal law, the Franklin Public Schools are working to enroll all school-age children and provide them and their families with appropriate support to begin the school year successfully. The state is providing education aid to communities hosting homeless families at $18,000 per pupil per year. More information on educational guidance from the state can be found in this memo. The Town will continue to seek additional state and federal funding as Town services are impacted. There are approximately four dozen school-aged children enrolled. All students are required to follow Massachusetts laws and regulations relative to school registration, vaccinations, and so forth.

Governor Healey announced that the emergency shelter system will reach capacity by the end of October 2023. Read the Governor's release and new foundational support programs for migrant families.

It is not clear how long the families will be in Franklin, as the statewide and nationwide situation is evolving and a critical shortage of shelter beds is ongoing. Given the fast-evolving nature of the critical shortage of shelter beds, the Town expects and is prepared to support and serve additional families and will update this webpage with additional information as it becomes available.

Current Changes at the EA Shelter

As of May 14, 2024, the Commonwealth Care Alliance is now the provider for the EA shelter. They provide case managers, nursing, and security at the EA shelter. The local response is no longer needed at the EA shelter. Visit the Commonwealth Care Alliance website.