HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 359        FILED ON: 1/8/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4015

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Shirley B. Arriaga

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act promoting housing stability for older adults across the Commonwealth.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 359        FILED ON: 1/8/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4015

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act promoting housing stability for older adults across the Commonwealth.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. The secretary of housing and livable communities shall convene a steering committee relative to expanding a short-term housing bridge pilot program, established in item 7004-0107 of section 2 of chapter 140 of the acts of 2024, to facilitate interim housing stability for individuals statewide applying for more affordable permanent housing situations. Eligibility for the expanded pilot program shall include households with individuals who: (i) are 60 years of age or older; (ii) reside in the commonwealth; (iii) are otherwise eligible for housing under items 7004-0107, 7004-9005 or 7004-9024 of section 2 of chapter 140 of the acts of 2024; (iv) have incomes of not more than 80 per cent of the area median income; and (v) are at risk of eviction due to their inability to consistently pay rent; provided, that households participating in the pilot program shall not, while receiving such assistance, be required to pay more than 30 per cent of their monthly adjusted income for rent, mortgage or other housing financial obligations. The steering committee shall consist of the following members: the secretary of housing and livable communities, or a designee, who shall serve as chair; a representative of the executive office of aging and independence; a representative of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Inc.; a representative of each of the participating aging services access points, established pursuant to section 4B of chapter 19A of the General Laws; a representative of the Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts, Inc.; 3 older adults who have experienced housing instability or homelessness, to be nominated by the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Inc.; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on elder affairs; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on housing; 1 additional member of the senate to be appointed by the president of the senate; 1 additional member of the house of representatives to be appointed by the speaker of the house; and other members as deemed appropriate by the secretary. The committee shall coordinate and advise the agencies toward establishing and expanding a short-term housing bridge pilot program to facilitate interim housing stability for households with individuals 60 years of age or older residing in the pilot program’s designated service areas. Annually, not later than December 31, the committee shall file a report with the governor, the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on elder affairs and the joint committee on housing. The report shall be posted simultaneously on the website of the executive office of housing and livable communities. The report shall include, but not be limited to, the committee’s recommendations on implementing the program statewide.

SECTION 2. Subject to appropriation or third-party reimbursement, the executive office of housing and livable communities shall enter into performance-based contracts with designated older adult serving agencies to establish and expand a short-term housing bridge subsidy program for adults 60 years of age or older who are experiencing housing instability or homelessness in urban, suburban and rural areas of the commonwealth, informed by the recommendations of the steering committee established in section 1.