Gov. Charlie Baker rejects allegations of denying shelter to homeless families
Gov. Charlie Baker took to the airwaves to defend his administration's record on homelessness Monday morning, rejecting claims in a lawsuit that the administration's policies had led to an illegal denial of shelter to five homeless mothers.
Massachusetts law requires that the state provide for shelter for homeless children, which in previous administrations had led to thousands of families being temporarily housed in motels when shelters were at capacity. Baker campaigned on a promise to end that practice, which his administration and housing advocates say can isolate families and lead to poor outcomes.
But the lawsuit, first reported by the Boston Globe, alleges that families have been kept on waiting lists as the state struggles to find other accommodations for them, leading to extended stays without shelter.
Baker's administration had already rejected the claims through a spokesman. But in an interview with Boston Public Radio Monday morning Baker went further, describing the allegations as "false" and "ridiculous."
Read more: http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/12/gov_charlie_baker_rejects_alle.html