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Gov. Maura Healey's office intends over the next roughly 19 months to phase out the use of hotels and motels for emergency shelter, seek a legislative change to boost rental assistance for needy families, create a reserve account for shelter expenses, and further shorten the length of stay in traditional shelter settings while extending stays in overflow sites.
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In less than two weeks, recipients of government food assistance in Massachusetts will see a sharp drop in a benefit many have enjoyed for years. The Healthy Incentives Program — or HIP — has helped low-income residents buy fresh, local produce.
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Until December 1, those with SNAP benefits can still count on their Healthy Incentives Program funds to purchase fruits and veggies from local farmers. A family's allotment for HIP is slated to be slashed before the holidays.
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Around 10 unhoused residents staying at the site off Cook Avenue in Northampton say they were not given prior warning to vacate the encampment. City officials say they gave notice.
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The city of Northampton, Massachusetts, issued a "no trespass" order Monday morning for a group of people living in a tent encampment near Lake Fitzgerald.
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The Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness reported that the number of homeless people in the four counties has risen by 17%.
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An alarming number of Massachusetts school districts are struggling right now to balance budgets for the upcoming year. Significant job cuts and academic program cancellations are on the table.
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Dozens of Massachusetts school districts are being told, later than usual in the school budget process, more state funding is being put in the House budget due to a "data" issue that shows more low-income students in schools than initially counted.
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"Remedy Hall" in Williamstown, Massachusetts, gives a way items that other service groups don't, such as toothpaste, towels and crock pots.
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The Massachusetts Legislature and Gov. Maura Healey last week quietly restored a policy to offer state-funded food benefits for immigrants who are in the U.S. legally, but who are not citizens.