Today’s announcement by Governor Maura Healey trumpeting the “successful closure of all hotel shelters” in Massachusetts led to some confusion, and perhaps wishful thinking, that the former UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center would also cease shelter operations.
However, as we reported May 19th, the plan still calls for the ICC to transition from an Emergency Family Shelter to a Rapid Track Shelter and CSR (Clinical Safety and Risk), operating through the end of 2026.
The confusion seemed to stem from the lack of the word “family” mentioned in conjunction with “all shelters” in today’s press release, prompting a number of locals to wonder if the former UML hotel and dormitory would also be closing down shop.
Early this afternoon, state and city sources told InsideLowell the ICC will continue to operate as a shelter, serving as a Rapid Track Shelter instead of as an Emergency Family Shelter.
“There has been no change to the plan for the Lowell ICC,” a spokesperson from the Governor’s office also confirmed early Friday evening. “It transitioned to a Rapid Track shelter and Clinical Safety Risk site last month.”
A Rapid Track shelter, which the ICC was converted to in July, is designed for families expected to quickly find stable, permanent housing while providing support services for up to 30 business days. A CSR (Clinical Safety and Risk) is where people receive health assessments from the Department of Public Health and then work with a case manager to quickly find housing or get placed in a shelter. Bridge Track shelters, which the ICC has operated as since early 2024, allow individuals to stay for up to six months, possibly longer if waivers are granted.
A source also tells InsideLowell the Commonwealth signed a contract with an organization called Heading Home to operate the shelter. Commonwealth Care Alliance (CCA) had been managing the Warren Street facility through the end of June.
As we also reported in May, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus has met with Lowell City Manager Tom Golden and his team discuss the long-term plan for the Lowell ICC and how it helps achieve the city’s housing goals.
An artists rendering depicting the potential future of the building was included in the city’s presentation to Urban Economy Forum representatives who toured the Mill City early in July, as part of Lowell becoming the first Frontrunner city in the United States.
Manager Golden and City Councilors have expressed optimism that the entire area, including the surface parking lot that served the one-time hotel and the former District Court House on Hurd Street, could be redeveloped into a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood.
Meanwhile, the former Best Western Hotel on Chelmsford Street in Chelmsford also continues to operate as a shelter, further highlighting that the Governor’s statement about hotels should have been clarified to make it clear they’re no longer being used as family shelters.
