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Date: 9/28/2023
LONGMEADOW — Gov. Maura Healey declared a state of emergency on Aug. 8, due to the recent influx of migrants into Massachusetts and “a severe lack of shelter availability in the state.” In addition to a request for funding from the federal government to help house and provide services for these roughly 20,000 people, Healey reached out to colleges and universities to inquire whether they would be open to temporarily housing some of the migrant families.
On Sept. 11, rumors began circulating on social media that the town of Longmeadow had decided to house hundreds of migrants on the Bay Path University campus and had kept this information from residents. Hundreds of people commented on the rumors, some supporting the possible move and others against it. Those in support voiced the need for empathy and said Western Massachusetts needs more workers and diversity. In the same thread, those opposed opined migrants could include criminals and that migrant relocation efforts were political ploys.
Bay Path University President Sandra Doran later sent out a press release stating, “As an institution grounded in core values that extend opportunities and position those we serve for a richer life and a brighter future, we felt it was our duty to explore this request.
“We have approached this matter slowly and deliberately; monitoring campuses and communities across the state that are currently assisting migrants, and as always, deeply considering the impact on our students and our community. After conducting due diligence, we’ve determined migrant families will not be housed on the Bay Path campus.”
A resident shared an email from Town Manager Lyn Simmons that was sent in response to an inquiry on the situation. In it, Simmons explained that while the university and the town have had a pay-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement, the resident should contact the university directly. PILOT agreements are not agreements reagarding the use of the campus, though the town's general and zoning bylaws that apply and govern the use. State building and fire codes and public health regulations are also overseen and enforced locally.
Select Board member Josh Levine commented during a Sept. 18 board meeting that he was “disappointed” by comments about the possibility of housing migrants in the community. “I really wish we’d gotten to have a conversation.” He added that he hoped people would behave “more rationally” in the future.
Fellow Select Board member Mark Gold agreed and said, “There was more false information than real information” circulating among residents.
Town Manager Lyn Simmons also said she was “disappointed” by the “comments and the rhetoric” regarding the matter. “It put the town in a bad light,” she said.
In the governor’s emergency declaration, she cited several issues. A lack of affordable housing statewide and the end of COVID-19-era support programs has meant fewer families can afford to move out of shelters. At the same time, federal immigration policies and the slow nature of work authorizations, coupled with an increase in people seeking to immigrate to the United States has resulted in approximately 2,500 more families in shelters than this time last year.
On Aug. 31, Healey activated 250 National Guard members to help with basic necessities at emergency shelter hotels. The administration is also launching “Regional Rapid Response Teams” to oversee shelter sites and liaison with the administration to address concerns.