Amendment #595 to H5150

Residential Assistance for Families in Transition

Mr. Honan of Boston moves to amend the bill in section 2, in item 7004-9316, by striking the words:- “provided further, that cash benefits shall not exceed the actual liability or four times the monthly rental or mortgage liability, whichever is less;” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- “provided further, that cash benefits for the upstream arrearage program shall not exceed the actual liability or four times the monthly rental or mortgage liability, whichever is less;”

And further amend said item by inserting after the word “annually” the following words:- “; provided further, there shall be a temporary COVID-19 emergency Eviction Diversion Initiative fund (“EDI fund”) comprised of funds used in the Baker-Polito Administration’s Eviction Diversion Initiative, the COVID-19 Residential Assistance for Families in Transition Response program (“CRR program”), and $30,000,000 from this appropriation to prevent homelessness among those at risk due to pandemic-related economic insecurity; provided further, that for purposes of the temporary EDI fund, the department shall allow a short, simple application requiring minimal processing time; provided further that a household upon demonstrated need, due to COVID-19, of rental arrearage or inability to pay future rent shall be awarded the maximum amount needed, up to $10,000, and future sustainability of the tenancy shall not be used as a factor to determine eligibility for EDI funds; provided further that for the purposes of verifying applicant income, the department shall accept a personal narrative attested under the pains and penalties of law and requirement of paying back funds back any EDI funds expended; provided further, that in COVID-19 related cases the department shall allow EDI funds to secure as many months in arrearages and future months of tenancy as the benefit level will cover, or preserve the tenancy for no more than 8 months from the time of benefit award and hold the arrearages harmless until after the last month of stipends is paid; provided further, that the funds appropriated or funded through federal sources for this item in fiscal year 2021 shall not revert but shall be made available for the purposes of this item in fiscal year 2022.”

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #595 to H5150

Residential Assistance for Families in Transition