The cost of strengthening security in the state’s family emergency shelter system could be significant, and cause delays for applicants seeking temporary housing.
A recent report from the state’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities outlines two options for implementing the background checks through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) operated by the FBI.
The first is for the agency to directly manage the process, which would require purchasing fingerprint scanning equipment, develop protocols, hiring and training extra staff to submit fingerprints directly. The second is to use a third party vendor, like Idemia, the vendor currently under contract for similar work with other state agencies.
Projected costs for the national criminal background check implementation ranges from $430k to $765k in startup costs and $2.45 million to $3.36 million in annual operating costs.
The NCIC is a digital index of criminal legal information, including nationwide data related to criminal record history, fugitives, stolen properties, and missing persons. Being part of the database and data sharing requires agencies to enter their records into the NCIC.
The effort to expand background checks comes after The Boston Globereported on crime at emergency shelters this winter. The report was mandated bystate law after that, and has been submitted to the legislature by the agency. It outlines the need to ensure safety at shelter sites, operational and financial feasibility of increasing background checks, and potential outcomes for families.
Growing crime in the shelters lined up with its growing population- half resident, and half migrant. In 2024, the program served over 10,000 families, which is an increase over the more than 8,000 families served over the course of 2023.
States are required to show they’re authorized by their legislature to conduct nationwide background checks through NCIC, and also receive approval from the FBI to do so. In Massachusetts, the Department of Children & Families and the Department of Early Education and Care have approval to conduct the checks for individuals applying for licenses for childcare centers and for applicants to be foster parents.
According to the report, the agency could need to provide fingerprint services to an average of 55 adults daily. From scheduling through getting results, the process could take 5 to 21 business days, delaying families’ enrollment in the shelter program.
Transit for families that need to do fingerprinting would cost an average rate of $110 per round-trip ride, since the biometrics could only be done at one of the 10 application offices in Massachusetts. If a third-part company took over transportation, it would likely cost around $945,000, and the agency directly managing would cost much less at $55,000 annually.
The $2.45 million to $3.36 million annual operating costs areprojected in spite of the closure of multiple hotels that served as shelters.
Prior to the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the program conducted checks for outstanding warrants and Sex Offender Registry Board checks for anyone over age 10, but didn’t conduct a criminal history screening for applicants or participants. In January 2025, Governor Maura Healey directed EOHLC to begin requiring CORI checks for all adults 18 and over.
To determine eligibility, families must have their identities and familial relationships verified before being placed, and disclose any criminal history.
The housing agency worked with the Massachusetts State Police, the Executive Office of Public Safety, the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the Department of Children and Families, and other agencies to study background checks conducted by NCIC.
“EOHLC conducted this study at the request of the Legislature. We will review any legislation that reaches the Governor’s desk. Our focus right now is on lowering the cost and size of the EA (Emergency Assistance) system, and helping families get stable housing,” said a spokesperson for the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.
Data collected through NCIC is shared with the Department of Homeland Security, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of State, and Department of Defense automatically. Once looped into the system, states have no ability to limit the information sharing.
The report looked at city and state shelter programs in New York, California, Illinois, and Colorado, finding that none required background check requirements.
Produced with assistance from the Public Media Journalists Association Editor Corps funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.
