Town of Sutton Welcomes Refugee Families In The Emergency Assistance Family Shelter Program

PRESS RELEASE
August 30, 2023

SUTTON, MA - On Sunday August 27th, the Town of Sutton welcomed 10 families from South America and the Caribbean. There are currently 25 families in Sutton that entered the Emergency Assistance Family Shelter System as asylum seekers and are currently homeless because of their new arrival status. The Select Board, Public Safety departments, Public Health department, School Department, the legislative delegation, and other enlisted state agencies mobilized immediately to coordinate the pressing needs of these 25 families, which includes children. The Town is also in close communication with other communities in our region who are also housing many of these families.

The Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities (EOHLC), specifically the Division of Housing Stabilization, is responsible for administration of the Emergency Assistance Family Shelter System, which is obligated under the Right to Shelter statute to shelter all eligible unhoused families with at least one child (defined as under 21). Due to a recent surge in the number of homeless families in Massachusetts, the Office of Refugees & Immigrants (ORI), has begun placing families into hotels as a last resort. The Department of Public Health (DPH) is supporting health and medical needs of new arrivals and as of today, a Rapid Response Team including nurses were onsite to assess medical needs. Since their arrival, the Town has been working with various state agencies to coordinate food delivery, medical assessment, Mass Health resources, translator services and other needs assessments.

On August 8, 2023, Governor Healey held a press conference and declared a State of Emergency. She noted that 5,600 families, totaling approximately 20,000 individuals, are currently being housed through the Commonwealth’s emergency shelter system. This represents an 80% increase over individuals being supported last year.

Requests for needed items will be posted on the Town’s website at www.suttonma.org. These needs will no doubt change as we help these families settle into the next step of their journey. For updates, visit Sutton’s website www.suttonma.org and view “News” on the home page or the Town of Sutton Facebook page.

Thank you for your caring support and kindness as these families seek safe haven in our community.