Budget Amendment ID: FY2014-S3-295

ECO 295

Community Action Homelessness Prevention Program

Ms. Clark and Messrs. Wolf and Keenan moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item XXXX-XXXX, by inserting after item 7004-9316 the following item:

“XXXX-XXXX. Community Action Homelessness Prevention Program

For the purposes of a homelessness prevention program known as the Community Action Homelessness Prevention Program (CAHPP), to be administered by community action agencies, to support the delivery of services by staff and to support emergency financial assistance for families who have incomes at or below 130% of the federal poverty line and include a child under age 21 or a pregnant woman;

provided further, that such prevention services and financial assistance shall be offered on first-come, first-serve basis, and shall include landlord/tenant mediation, legal assistance to prevent eviction, housing search services, stabilization services and tracking to ensure that families remain housed for a minimum of 12 months, and financial assistance to pay up to $4,000 per household for rental arrearages, short-term subsidy, or first month’s rent/last month’s rent/security deposit;

provided further that arrearage payments shall be to landlords who have issued a notice to quit but who agree to withdraw the notice and extend the tenancy if payment is provided and that short term subsidy for first month, last month, security deposit funds shall be offered only if funds will prevent a family from becoming homeless;

provided further that families served shall include families that are at risk of homelessness but have not yet sought eligibility determination for HomeBASE services and shall also include families at risk of homelessness who do not yet meet eligibility criteria for HomeBASE services and are referred to community action agencies by HomeBASE agencies or other nonprofit or service organizations or government entities;

provided further, that community action agencies and regional housing nonprofits shall collaborate to ensure that the maximum number of households are able to secure prevention resources through either the Community Action Homelessness Prevention Program or RAFT resources;

provided further that that the CAHPP program shall be administered by community action agencies, as defined in section 24 of the Chapter 23B of the Massachusetts General Laws, ..………..$5,000,000”.