Amendment #643 to H4000

For the operation of the department of housing and community development;

Representatives Fox of Boston, Swan of Springfield, Heroux of Attleboro, Khan of Newton and Decker of Cambridge move to amend the bill, in section 2, item 7004-9316, by inserting after the words “or are at risk of becoming homeless due to a significant reduction of income or increased expenses” the following:- provided, that up to $2,000,000 may be used for temporary emergency accommodations for not longer than 7 days for families at imminent risk of homelessness in order to facilitate the maintenance or securing of housing or referral to other services; provided further, that, effective July 1, 2014, the department of housing and community development shall promptly refer to providers of such temporary accommodations funded by this item, those families who provide credible statements or other credible evidence that they are within 24 hours of staying in a place unfit for human habitation, who appear to have income that does not exceed 150 per cent of the federal poverty level and who are not eligible for emergency shelter services from the department; provided further, that those providers shall be available to receive and act on such referrals until at least 5 p.m. each day, Monday through Friday, but not including state and federal holidays; provided further, that nothing in this item shall relieve the department of its obligations under item 7004-0101, including the duty immediately to place families in emergency shelter if they appear to be eligible but need more time to collect verifications; provided further, that the department shall report monthly to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the house and senate clerks and the joint committee on housing detailing: (i) the number of families receiving temporary accommodations under this item; (ii) the average length of stay in temporary accommodations; and (iii) the total amount expended on temporary accommodations to date; provided further, that assistance shall be administered by the department through contracts with the regional non-profit agencies; and by striking the figure “$10,500,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “$12,500,000”