Budget Amendment ID: FY2026-S3-162

ECO 162

Task Force to Establish Short-Term Housing Bridge Subsidy

Ms. Jehlen and Messrs. Collins, Keenan, Mark, Eldridge and Driscoll moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 10 the following section:

“SECTION 10A. Said chapter 23B is hereby further amended by adding the following section:-

Section 31. There shall be a task force  to study the expansion throughout the commonwealth of the pilot program established under item 7004-0107 of chapter 140 of the acts of 2024 to establish a short-term housing bridge pilot program to facilitate interim housing stability for individuals applying for more affordable permanent housing situations. Eligibility for the expanded pilot program shall include households with individuals: (i) not less than 60 years of age residing in the commonwealth, who are otherwise eligible for housing under item 7004-0107, item 7004-9005, or item 7004-9024; (ii) with incomes of not more than 80 per cent of the area median income; and (iii) at risk of eviction due to their inability to consistently pay rent; provided, however, that households participating in the pilot program shall not, while receiving such assistance, be required to pay more than 30 per cent of their monthly adjusted income for rent, mortgage or other housing financial obligations.

The task force shall consist of: the secretary of housing and livable communities or a designee, who shall serve as chair; the chairs of the joint committee on elder affairs; the chairs of the joint committee on housing; a member appointed by the senate president; a member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 3 older adults who have experienced housing instability or homelessness who shall be appointed by Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Inc.; and 4 members to be appointed by the secretary, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the executive office of aging and independence, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Inc., 1 of whom shall be a representative of each of the participating Aging Services Access Points and 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts, Inc.

The task force shall expand upon a short-term housing bridge pilot program to facilitate interim housing stability for eligible households in the pilot program’s designated service areas. The task force shall file annual reports on implementing the program statewide with the governor, the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on elder affairs and the joint committee on housing. The reports shall be posted on the executive office of housing and livable communities’ website.