WORCESTER, Mass. — A Worcester city councilor says Gov. Maura Healey's recent changes to the state's emergency shelter system don't make sense.

The Healey administration announced Tuesday families seeking shelter in the state’s overflow sites can stay for five days before being turned out on their own. People in need of assistance would also have to wait six months before becoming eligible for long-term housing. 

City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj says from her own experience working with families, this is an undue burden on cities and towns, and the families.

"How do municipalities find the resources to house and to support people," Haxhiaj asked. "I am a people-first leader and I believe that my main concern, my first and foremost concern is, how do we support the people who are going to be left without options? And my secondary concern is, what does this mean for our municipality and the resources that we have to actually support those that need our help the most at the moment?"

The changes also include giving priority to families who have veterans or have been impacted by a natural disaster. Haxhiaj says she's urging fellow city leaders to have discussions with the Healey administration to pause the policy or give time to craft different solutions.