Amendment #851 to H4219

Extending HomeBASE to Keep Children and Families Housed

Ms. Barber of Somerville moves to amend the bill by adding the following section:

Section XXXX:- “For a reserve to promote housing stability for families and children timing out of the Massachusetts short-term housing transition program, also known as the HomeBASE program, by providing further allotments of household assistance in 12-month, renewable increments to eligible families that have received or will receive household assistance in fiscal years 2021, 2022, or 2023; provided further, such assistance shall be provided to households by the department of housing and community development to prevent eviction from existing housing or to relocate to another housing situation in cases where the family a.) complied with their rehousing plan during the prior period of assistance, b.) continues to include a child under the age of 21 or a pregnant person, c.) has a gross income that does not exceed 50 percent of area median income or has not had income in excess of said 50 percent level for a period of six months, and d.) either has not accessed or has exhausted federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds for the same purpose; provided further, the department shall not require families to be evicted from their existing housing or to otherwise establish that they fall into one of the four categories of affirmative eligibility for emergency assistance shelter currently listed in item 7004-0101 in order to access funds from this reserve; provided further, the department shall provide household assistance in an amount up to $10,000, or a higher cap established in line item 7004-0108, for subsequent 12-month periods to eligible families." …………………………..…..$10,000,000

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #851 to H4219

Extending HomeBASE to Keep Children and Families Housed