State looking for host families for newly arrived "immigrants" (Boston: sale, houses)

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by BruinsGirl

So maybe previous Haitian immigrants or immigrants from other Caribbean countries can do the same?

You would think so, but it never works out that way. I think they know better.

[BruinsGirl]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

You would think so, but it never works out that way. I think they know better.

They of course know better than us.

However I watched GBH program about Haitian refugees and director of some department working with them (IIRC also from Haiti some time ago) blamed situation with people are not opening their houses on racism. So I thought maybe people who are not racist can open their homes.

Also there was an interview with one of refugees and there a question about why Massachusetts. He said he brought family here because of good schools. Well, Massachusetts is known for good schools, but I would consider other things like horrendous situation with rent availability and affordability even for people already living here. Somebody is doing a huge disservice to poor people from Haiti.

[CaseyB]

Towns they are being sent:“Burlington, Chelsea, Chicopee, Concord, Dedham, Greenfield, Holyoke, Kingston, Marlborough, Methuen, Norton, Norwood, Peabody, Plymouth, Revere, Saugus, Shrewsbury, Sturbridge, Taunton, West Springfield, Westborough, Woburn and Worcester.”


Towns they are not being sent: Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Chatham, Swampscott, Newburyport, Wellesley, Dover, Sherborn, Amherst….

https://howiecarrshow.com/lucky-28-towns-get-migrants/

[msRB311]

I would think any town they are sent to would have to be able to accommodate them...like have hotels. Does Dover have a hotel? I would think Cambridge and Brookline would be no brainers...they should be sent there, why aren't they There are hotels and places for them to find work.

Now, Nantucket and MV have hotels...but those are islands. Not sure that would be the best place for them (not that I care). The food is expensive, there's not many grocery stores, etc. Chatham is kind of similar.

There is no good place to send them is what it comes down to. I think the places they are being sent to are lower cost of living towns that have hotels along with places to find work. I still don't think it's right or ok, but it is what it is at this point.

[newenglandgal123]

Originally Posted by msRB311

I would think any town they are sent to would have to be able to accommodate them...like have hotels. Does Dover have a hotel? I would think Cambridge and Brookline would be no brainers...they should be sent there, why aren't they There are hotels and places for them to find work.

Now, Nantucket and MV have hotels...but those are islands. Not sure that would be the best place for them (not that I care). The food is expensive, there's not many grocery stores, etc. Chatham is kind of similar.

There is no good place to send them is what it comes down to. I think the places they are being sent to are lower cost of living towns that have hotels along with places to find work. I still don't think it's right or ok, but it is what it is at this point.

Concord and Burlington are low cost of living towns?! Have you seen the housing prices there?! Those towns have plenty of $3M white farm houses for sale https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/.../pid_53739273/

[MtPleasantDream]

What kind of immigrants?
I suppose they are not those who have a work visa, so are they Latin Americans? Ukrainians? Middle Easterners? Africans?

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by newenglandgal123

Concord and Burlington are low cost of living towns?! Have you seen the housing prices there?! Those towns have plenty of $3M white farm houses for sale https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/.../pid_53739273/

I am not familiar with Burlington really, but there were some less desirable towns in there. Concord is obviously nice. I feel like Burlington has a lot of restaurants, shopping malls, places to work? I dont know why the towns that were picked were picked.

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by msRB311

I would think any town they are sent to would have to be able to accommodate them...like have hotels. Does Dover have a hotel? I would think Cambridge and Brookline would be no brainers...they should be sent there, why aren't they There are hotels and places for them to find work.

Now, Nantucket and MV have hotels...but those are islands. Not sure that would be the best place for them (not that I care). The food is expensive, there's not many grocery stores, etc. Chatham is kind of similar.

There is no good place to send them is what it comes down to. I think the places they are being sent to are lower cost of living towns that have hotels along with places to find work. I still don't think it's right or ok, but it is what it is at this point.

They are looking for people to take them in at their houses. Not hotels.


"Massachusetts officials are seeking residents willing to host newly arrived families in need of shelter. Hosts are asked to provide a room or apartment for a few days, until longer-term accommodations can be arranged."

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by MtPleasantDream

What kind of immigrants?
I suppose they are not those who have a work visa, so are they Latin Americans? Ukrainians? Middle Easterners? Africans?

Haitians apparently.


"A significant portion of the families in need of housing in the state are new immigrants. Many of those arriving in Boston have fled violence in Haiti and traveled through other states before coming to Massachusetts."

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

I guess we must be short on hotel space, or have run out of money.

https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/07/15...omes-immigrant

I hope there's a way to track how many people open their homes and the information is made public. Regardless, I hope the simple fact that this is necessary encourages some meaningful discussion about immigration policy - both on a state level and a national level.