Amendment #790 to H4600

Improvements to the RAFT Homelessness Prevention Program

Ms. Decker of Cambridge moves to amend the bill in section 2, in item 7004-9316, in line 17, by striking out the following: "provided further, that the amount of financial assistance shall not exceed $7,000 in any 12-month period;” and inserting in place thereof the following: “provided further, that except as specified in this item, the amount of financial assistance shall not exceed $7,000 in any 12-month period; provided further, that $10,000,000 will be made available to administering agencies for circumstances where the administering agency believes an award greater than $7,000 in a 12-month period is essential to resolve a housing crisis, in accordance with guidance from the department;” and in said item by inserting at the end the following: “provided further, that for the purposes of this program, to receive cash benefits or other services, it is not necessary for a household to have received a shut-off notice from a utility company, notice to quit or summary process summons and complaint, or otherwise be subject to the summary process pursuant to chapter 239; provided further, that the executive office and administering agencies shall make direct payments available to tenants whose landlords are unresponsive or refuse payments; provided further, the executive office and administering agencies shall approve requests for forward rent payments and stipends from otherwise eligible applicants if such payments would not exceed the rolling 12-month benefit award limit”.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #790 to H4600

Improvements to the RAFT Homelessness Prevention Program