Hundreds of migrants have been seeking shelter at Boston's Logan Airport, using baggage claim areas as makeshift sleeping quarters due to the city's lack of available housing options. The situation has reached a critical point as housing capacity has been at full capacity for several months.
Reports indicate that more than 100 migrants, including families with children, were seen sleeping on yoga mats, mattress pads, and blankets in Terminal E of the airport, which is the international terminal. This influx of migrants seeking shelter at the airport has been an ongoing issue since January, with the state's shelter system being overwhelmed.
To address the housing crisis, state leaders have implemented various measures, such as renting out mass hotel accommodations, repurposing a closed soldier's home, and controversially taking over a community center in Boston earlier this year. Additionally, a former minimum security prison in Norfolk, Massachusetts is set to be repurposed as a temporary shelter for up to 450 people later this month.
Massachusetts is known for being a one-of-a-kind 'right to shelter' state, which guarantees emergency shelter for those in need. However, due to the unprecedented influx of migrants, the state's governor signed a law imposing a nine-month limit on how long families can stay in emergency shelters. There are provisions for extending stays beyond the 90-day limit based on various criteria such as employment, job training, medical conditions, disability status, pregnancy, and educational disruptions for children.
The situation at Logan Airport highlights the challenges faced by both migrants seeking shelter and state authorities trying to address the housing crisis. As the summer approaches, efforts are being made to provide temporary housing solutions while ensuring the well-being of those in need.
