Homeless Families In Motels Down 45% In Western Mass.

There has been a 45 percent decline in the number of homeless families sheltered in motels in western Massachusetts.

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   The number of homeless families sheltered in motel rooms in western Massachusetts has fallen from 513 at the end of July to 283 as of March 1st, according to the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development.  Undersecretary Aaron Gornstein said Governor Patrick is proposing to increase spending on homelessness prevention programs  so that the use of  motel rooms as emergency shelters  can be  stoped next year.

   It costs the state $3000 a month to put a homeless family up in a motel room, with the average stay being six months.