Massachusetts lawmakers are weighing a spending bill that includes money for temporary shelter spaces for homeless families.

Massachusetts has launched a $5 million grant program to address the housing needs of homeless families, reaching a state-imposed limit of 7,500 families in emergency shelters.

As state leaders struggle to get the current migrant shelter crisis under control, locally here in western Massachusetts people are being asked to offer space in their homes if they can, as more and more migrant families are looking for emergency housing.

Massachusetts Democrats reached a compromise on a $2.8-billion budget with emergency shelter funding Thursday but were blocked by a single Republican lawmaker when they tried to pass the bill. Why it matters: State Democrats and Republicans appear to be at an impasse,

Republican lawmakers in Massachusetts again blocked approval Friday of a spending bill that includes money for temporary shelter spaces for migrant homeless families, saying the measure should be brought up in a formal legislative session to allow for debate and roll call votes.