(Photo/Dakota Antelman)
HUDSON – Homeless and migrant families have been placed in Hudson.
According to a press release from the town Board of Health, Governor Maura Healey’s office recently told the town that the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities would be placing homeless and migrant families at a site in Hudson.
Healey declared a state of emergency on Aug. 8, noting in a release that there were over 20,000 people in state shelter.
Fifteen families – including over 40 adults and children – arrived in Hudson on Aug. 10.
“More families are expected to arrive over the coming weeks and months as the State’s emergency shelter system continues to be strained by rising homelessness and migrants arriving daily,” the release said.
Hudson’s response to the new arrivals is being led by the Health Department, which has partnered with local and state agencies and coordinated with local nonprofits, faith-based groups and civic organizations.
The state’s Department of Public Health activated a rapid response team that has conducted assessments and administered vaccines to the families. According to the release, the school district has started working with the families to support the children’s developmental and educational needs.
The Health Department is seeking donations of these items at the Hudson Fire Department at 296 Cox Street. Donations should be new items only:
- Diapers and wipes. Most needed diaper sizes are newborn, 1, 3, 4, 6 pull-ups
- Personal care items like shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste for adults and children, Chapstick, shaving cream, razors, baby soap and lotion
- Feminine hygiene products
- Laundry detergent pods
- Ziploc bags
- New adult and child clothing for infants to adults
- Over-the-counter medication for adults, children and infants such as Tylenol, Motrin, Advil and Pedialyte
- Bottled water
- Shelf-stable juice
- Individually-packaged snacks
- Microwavable/cup mac and cheese
- Activities for adults and children like decks of cards, Mancala, chalk, books and Play-Doh.
- Liquid hand soap and hand sanitizer
- Gift cards to Market Basket, WalMart, Panera and Qdoba.
The town has also began a Hudson Homeless Fund to accept monetary donations. Those can be made in-person at the Health Department office in Town Hall or online at tinyurl.com/HudsonHomelessFund.
For more information on how to help, contact the department at [email protected] or 978-562-2020 ext. 6.
