State says: Gardner Super 8 use as Migrant Shelter ends June 30th
Tyler Newhall, the Legislative Director for Emergency Assistance & Director of Municipal Relations for the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities has informed the City of Gardner that this is part of the State’s efforts to phase out the use of hotels as Emergency Assistance shelters by the end of 2025. The City of Gardner has had no control over migrant placements. A check of Trip Advisor shows that the last public review of Super 8 Gardner was February 2023 and before that numerous ones from 2022 indicating just how long the facility has been utilized as an EA shelter.
Here’s exactly what Tyler Newhall wrote in an email sent simultaneously on February 3rd to Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson, State Senator Peter Durant, and State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik:
“I am writing to inform you of the planned closure of the Gardner Super 8 as an Emergency Assistance (EA) family shelter site by Monday, June 30th, as part of our efforts to phase out the use of hotels as EA shelters by the end of 2025.
In the coming months, service provider Making Opportunities Count (MOC) will continue to support families with case management and to secure permanent housing. It is our shared goal to support as many families as possible to exit the shelter system into safe and stable housing prior to the site closure. For many families, this will include utilizing rental assistance through the HomeBASE program, and we appreciate the community’s support in identifying potential landlords and available apartments. EOHLC will support any families that remain eligible for EA who have not successfully exited shelter for stable housing by the site closure to transfer to an alternative family shelter location.
In the coming days, we will notify partners of these site closure plans and take the following steps to support the transition:
EOHLC and the contracted shelter service provider will communicate directly with families at the shelter location to inform them of the planned closure date and resources and services available to support them. This will include resource materials translated to multiple languages and an in-person town hall for all shelter residents.
The Department of Elementary & Secondary Education will contact your superintendent to inform them of the planned closure date and help prepare the district for any potential changes to enrollments or transportation needs.
EOHLC and state partners will directly contact community-based organizations and local partners to inform them of the planned closure date.
On behalf of the Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities (EOHLC) and the Healey-Driscoll Administration, I’d like to express enormous gratitude for your partnership and commitment to serving children and families placed in emergency shelter in your community during this extraordinary time.
Please do not hesitate to reach out should you have any questions or if I can be of assistance in any way.
All the best,
Ty“