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DTA phases out the housing of homeless families in hotels
The Department of Transitional assistance phased out the practice of housing homeless families in 1996. The number of families housed in hotels had peaked at 355 in SFY1994. [Source: Office of Health and Human Services] -
DTA resumes housing homeless families in hotels
Even after adding shelter capacity, "upward pressures on shelter use" forces the Department of Transitional Assistance to resume the practice of housing homeless families in hotels. The average hotel / motel monthly caseload in SFY02 is 295. [Source: Office of Health and Human Services] -
MA Department of Transitional Assistance transfers 120 people to Greater Springfield motels
Over a period of about a month, the state Department of Transitional Assistance transfers about 120 people to Greater Springfield motels -- without notifying city officials. 32 families were housed at the River Inn in Springfield and the River Inn in West Springfield beginning in late August. Richard R. Powers, spokesman for the state welfare office, admitted the state "dropped the ball on this one." [Source: The Republican, September 22, 2001] -
363 families living in MA hotels
175 homeless families were living in Massachusetts hotels in July, 2001 -- but the number increased to 363 by June 2002. [Source: Office of Health and Human Services] -
412 families in MA hotels
Department of Transitional Assistance Annual Report, 2005 According to the 2005 annual report of the Department of Transitional Assistance, 412 families were living in 50 hotels across the state as of January 2, 2004. -
Number of families in hotels drops to 0
"One of the most significant accomplishments of 2004 and maintained through 2005 was the elimination of hotel placements," the Department of Transitional Assistance notes in its 2005 annual report. The number of families placed in hotels fell from 412 in January, 2004 to zero by August 13. "This was accomplished through innovative programming and intensive case management strategies," the report states. -
583 families in hotels
Local Buzz: Homeless and in a Motel [October 9, 2008] With homelessness at record highs in Massachusetts, 583 homeless families are living in hotels. Despite the foreclosure crisis, only five of the 583 families cited a foreclosure as the reason for their homelessness. -
Number of homeless families in hotels tops 1,000
The Boston Globe reports that the number of homeless families in Massachusetts hotels has reached 1,010 -- including more than 1,400 children. -
1,078 homeless families in MA hotels
With the number of homless families in Massachusetts hotels at an all-time high of 1,078, Gerry McCafferty, then the Acting Director of Springfield's Office of Housing, noted: "Foreclosure has a role -- particularly in tightening up the rental market. Many foreclosures stay vacant, which takes them out of the market and reduces the amount of available housing. In addition, where property owners who have tenants experience foreclosure, the tenant is often displaced." -
Hospital reports abuse of children living at Westfield EconoLodge Inn
Baystate Medical Center alerts the Westfield Police Department that two children are being treated. The children's mother, Damaris Sanchez, and a homeless man are charged with assault and battery on a child causing severe injury. They had been living at the motel for six months. [The Republican: "Westfield child abuse case highlights lack of oversight of families housed in motels"] -
Ethan Luce dies at West Springfield Clarion
6-week-old Ethan Luce is found dead in a room at the West Springfield Clarion after being left alone with his 3-year-old brother, Sean Luce Jr. The boys' mother, Erica Luce, is eventually charged with involuntary manslaughter. -
23 families housed at West Springfield Clarion
On February 9, 2010, state data indicate that 23 families are still being housed at the West Springfield Clarion, where 6-year-old Ethan Luce was found dead on January 24. A total of <b>312</b> families are being housed in hotels in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. [The Republican: "For homeless families, motels not a place you can call home"] -
Buoniconti and Welch call for an end to housing homeless families in hotels
State Sen. Stephen J. Buoniconti, D-West Springfield, and state Rep. James T. Welch, D-West Springfield, announce a plan to push the Legislature for an end to the practice of placing homeless families in hotels. They cite data indicating that 12 percent of the entire population statewide of homeless families being housed in hotels and motels is in West Springfield. [The Republican reports] -
Impact of homeless children on school districts
In West Springfield, the city’s transportation budget mushroomed from $35,000 to $200,000 this year due to an influx of homeless children living in motels along Riverdale Street. In early 2010, more than 100 children were being housed by the state with their families in three motels on Riverdale Street. [The Republican: "Impact of homeless children on area school districts can be significant"] -
Number of families in hotels drops to 836
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Number of families in MA hotels decreasing, but state still spending close to $2 million per month
While the number of homeless families living in hotels across Massachusetts declined from February through April, 2010, the policy is still costing close to $2 million a month. That figure had dropped from a previous total of $2.3 million. [The Republican: "Number of homeless families living in motels decreasing, but Massachusetts still spending close to $2 million a month"] -
Fire at West Springfield's Quality Inn
A fire caused by a guest cooking in her room guts a hotel room at the Quality Inn on Riverdale Street. The cause of the fire is attributed to an electrical outlet overloaded by several kitchen appliances, including a microwave oven, a toaster and a refrigerator. According to the Department of Housing and Community Development, <b>35</b> homeless families are being housed at the hotel at the time of the fire -- down from a total of 86 on February 9, 2010. -
817 homeless families live in MA hotels
