SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) — Changes to the state’s emergency family shelter regulations went into effect earlier this month, including a five-day maximum stay for people in overflow shelters. How will this impact resources in our area?

These guidelines apply in the emergency shelters in the eastern part of the state (Chelsea, Lexington, Cambridge and Norfolk).

Western Mass News spoke with Erin Forbush, senior director of housing and shelter at ServiceNet, which operates several shelters in Western Massachusetts, including two family shelters in Greenfield, two family shelters in Pittsfield and one single shelter in Pittsfield. She explains that families in their shelters are subject to the nine-month stay requirement.

“We are working with all families to find them housing as quickly as possible, as we always have,” Forbush said.

Gov. Maura Healey has argued for months that her state’s rapid expansion of shelters is neither sustainable nor affordable. She said the brief reprieve will provide some relief while people can access the services.

Last year, she also declared a state of emergency as more immigrant families came to Massachusetts.

She and others, including Laurie Millman of the Center for New Americans, are calling on the federal government to provide more support.

“If the national government wants to do this, it needs to support the state governments that are welcoming people and all of us who are locally teaching English, providing legal services and helping people prepare for work,” Millman said.

The government has introduced other programs to help people leave the shelters, such as offering immigrants work permits, English courses and job placement.

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