Colman Herman v. Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (SPR 20242007)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records July 26, 2024 SPR24/2007 Adrian Walleigh Records Access Officer Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300 Boston, MA 02114 Dear Adrian Walleigh: I have received the petition of Colman Herman appealing the response of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (Office) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On May 29, 2024, Mr. Herman requested “copies of any and all records of complaints received by the EOHLC’s hotline regarding facilities contracted with to provide shelter to homeless people and migrants.” On July 8, 2024, Mr. Herman modified his request as follows: All complaints regarding the emergency shelter submitted to the EOLHC hotline, either by email or phone, from Jan. 1, 2023 to present, that concern the following categories of complaints: [1.] Responsiveness Addressing Complaints – including complaints regarding EOHLC or shelter providers not responding to complaints in a timely manner, repeat complaints about the same issues, or complaints regarding resident complaints being ignored; [2.] Health Hazards – including complaints regarding mold, water damage, insects, pests, sanitation, air quality, or environmental hazards. [3.] Conditions of Housing – including complaints regarding heating, cooling, clean or hot water, accessibility, bedding, restrooms, or occupancy; [4.] Safety and Violence – including complaints regarding residents feeling unsafe from other residents, staff, or other third parties, as well as complaints regarding any violence or threatened violence at the shelters; and [5.] Fraud and Waste – including complaints about misused, missing, or wasted resources. One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832 • Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us

Adrian Walleigh SPR24/2007 Page 2 July 26, 2024 Previous Appeal This request was the subject of a previous appeal. See SPR24/1831 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (July 8, 2024). In my July 8th determination, I found that the Office must provide an estimated date as to when it intends to complete the search and provide records. Subsequently, the Office responded on July 12, 2024. Unsatisfied with the Office’s response, Mr. Herman petitioned this office, and this appeal, SPR24/2007, was opened as a result. Conclusion Subsequent to the opening of this appeal, I learned that the Office provided a supplemental response by email to Mr. Herman and this office on July 25, 2024. As this appeal was opened based on the Office’s July 12th response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. If unresolved issues remain, Mr. Herman may further appeal the substantive nature of the Office’s July 25th response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Colman Herman