Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno (second from left) tours the city’s Homeless Tent Triage Facility established to serve the city’s homeless population during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation on April 6. (Photo courtesy: City of Springfield)
To support efforts to isolate and quarantine homeless individuals and families who have tested positive for COVID-19 or are at risk of exposure, the state has developed a series of guidelines and resources for local governments and community organizations.
The state has worked with local partners to set up regional isolation and recovery centers in Everett, Lexington, Northampton, Pittsfield and Taunton, and has consulted on several other sites.
The state webpage includes the following documents:
• Homeless Shelter COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
• COVID-19 Guidance for Individual Homeless Shelters
• Support for Drop-In and Access Shelters During COVID-19
• Frequently Asked Questions for Cities and Towns Regarding FEMA Reimbursement for Quarantine/Isolation Solutions
Under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Program, affected local governments may be reimbursed for up to 75% of their costs associated with emergency response and safety measures, which includes housing homeless populations.
Questions regarding state and local efforts to safely manage homeless populations during the COVID-19 emergency can be directed to Thomas Mangan at thomas.mangan@state.ma.us or Faye Boardman at faye.boardman@state.ma.us.