Boston, MA – Massachusetts is providing up to $30,000 over a two-year period to migrant families through its HomeBASE program, a state initiative designed to help families exit emergency shelters and secure stable housing. This allocation, intended for rental assistance, moving expenses, and other housing-related costs, has drawn attention and discussion regarding state aid for new arrivals. The program requires recipients to contribute at least 30% of their monthly income towards rent, with HomeBASE covering the remainder.
The HomeBASE program has been a long-standing component of Massachusetts' strategy to address homelessness, serving families in the state's emergency shelter system, which includes both long-term Massachusetts residents and recent migrant arrivals. Governor Maura Healey's administration has utilized and expanded the program as part of efforts to manage the influx of migrant families and alleviate pressure on the overburdened shelter system. The program's budget for fiscal year 2026 is $57.3 million, a slight decrease from 2023.
Beyond housing, claims regarding additional benefits for migrant families, such as EBT cash, food assistance, free healthcare, and free cable, have circulated. Massachusetts does offer various assistance programs for low-income residents, including the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) for cash benefits and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food, both distributed via EBT cards. Eligibility for these programs is based on income and household criteria, not solely immigration status, though certain legally present immigrants may qualify.
Regarding healthcare, Massachusetts is one of a few states that provides broader access to state-funded health coverage for immigrants, including through MassHealth, its Medicaid program. This aims to ensure access to necessary medical care. The claim of "free cable" likely refers to federal programs like Lifeline and the recently expired Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which offer discounts on internet and phone services for eligible low-income households, rather than free cable television.
The increased reliance on programs like HomeBASE for migrant families has spurred debate, with some critics highlighting the costs and the longer wait times for subsidized housing faced by other Massachusetts residents. State officials, however, defend HomeBASE as a cost-effective solution to transition families out of more expensive emergency shelters into more stable living situations. The state continues to grapple with the significant financial and logistical challenges posed by the ongoing shelter crisis.