Amendment #666 to H3400

Short Term Housing Assistance

[Sponsors] Ms. Fox of Boston, Ms. Wolf of Cambridge, and Representatives Collins of Boston, Swan of Springfield, Madden of Nantucket, Brady of Brockton, Provost of Somerville, Atkins of Concord, Henriquez of Boston, O'Day of West Boylston, Sciortino of Medford, Andrews of Orange, Sullivan of Fall River, Hecht of Watertown, Smizik of Brookline, Canavan of Brockton, Forry of Boston, Malia of Boston, Brownsberger of Belmont, Sannicandro of Ashland, Michlewitz of Boston, Basile of Boston, Gobi of Spencer, Devers of Lawrence, Holmes of Boston, and Cabral of New Bedford hereby move to amend the bill in item 7004-0108 of section 2

by inserting after the words “U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development” the following additional words: --

, except that monthly rent may be up to 100% of such fair market rents if a family cannot otherwise obtain stable housing, including if the family cannot obtain such housing without relocation that would result in loss or disruption of a job, medical treatment or educational services pursuant to an individualized education plan;

and by striking out the words “provided further, that assistance received under this program shall render a family that did not make a good faith effort to secure an apartment or did not make a good faith effort to follow their housing stabilization plan ineligible for benefits pursuant to section 30 of chapter 23B and short-term housing transition benefits for a period of no more than 24 months from the later of the date upon which the family exits a temporary emergency family shelter or a monthly rental assistance payments is made to or on behalf of the family or 12 months for a family that received assistance only for rent arrears, utility charged, or extraordinary medical bills;” and inserting in place thereof the following words: --

provided further, that a family who receives monthly rental assistance funded by this item that is intended to last for 12 months or more but is terminated for failure to comply with reasonable and uniform rules may be rendered ineligible for assistance pursuant to section 30 of chapter 23B and short-term housing transition benefits for a period of up to 12 months from the later of the date upon which the family exits a temporary emergency family shelter or the last day covered by a monthly rental assistance payment;

and

by adding at the end the following additional words: --

provided further, that families who are denied assistance under this item or whose assistance under this item is terminated may appeal such determinations pursuant to section 30(F) of chapter 23B within 21 days of receiving written notice of denial or termination and shall receive aid pending appeal if such appeal is filed within 10 days of such notice; provided further, that families receiving monthly rental assistance under this item may be required to use good faith efforts to increase their incomes but shall not have assistance terminated if they have made such efforts but been unable to increase their incomes; and provided further, that families shall not be denied assistance or have assistance under this item terminated for refusing an offer of housing that does not adequately accommodate the size and disabilities of the family or would result in a job loss for the family or interruption of special education services provided pursuant to an individualized education plan