Former prison to house homeless families as Massachusetts faces migrant influx

NORFOLK, Mass. (WWLP) – The Town of Norfolk released a statement after the Healey Administration designated a former prison as a temporary emergency shelter.

Bay State Correctional Center located on Clark Street in Norfolk was in operation from 1977 to December 2015 to house inmates due to overcrowding at other prisons. On Friday, the Healey Administration announced that it will now be set up as a temporary emergency shelter.

Massachusetts is the only right-to-shelter state in the country, so the state has to guarantee homeless families access to emergency shelters. However, due to the influx of migrant families, a cap has been put on the shelter system limiting access to emergency shelters.

Town officials on Saturday, who had no role in this decision and were not consulted prior, spoke with Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts Kim Driscoll. She told town officials that the shelter would operate for six to 12 months.

The facility will house up to 450 people and be managed by a shelter operator determined by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Some of the families that are moving to this facility are currently housed at Logan Airport.

Due to the large number of people expected to be housed in Norfolk, the Town officials say it poses many logistical challenges to Norfolk. Meetings will be held to mitigate the potential impacts on the town. Those included in the group are Town Administrator Justin Casanova-Davis, Police Chief Timothy Heinz, Fire Chief Erron Kinney, Norfolk School Superintendent Ingrid Allardi, King Philip Superintendent Rich Drolet, and other department leaders.

“We also will have regular conversations with state officials to ensure the Town’s concerns are heard, and to work collaboratively on creative solutions that are in the best interests of Norfolk. Most importantly, the Select Board and Town staff are committed to transparency and regular updates to the community as we work through this transition,” Statement provided by the Town of Norfolk.

Local News

Happy Birthday, Springfield! Celebrate at the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast this Saturday

Healey appointment maxes out Dems on ballot law panel

Protect your skin from the sun as UV Index increases

Agawam man allegedly stole vehicle after rear-end crash in Connecticut

22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts in March 1953. Watch the 22News digital edition on weekdays at 4 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.