Budget Amendment ID: FY2026-S3-986-R1

Redraft LOC 986

Somerville Older Adult Bridge Subsidy

Ms. Jehlen and Mr. Driscoll moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 7004-0107, by adding the following words:- “; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended to the city of Somerville to continue the  short-term housing bridge pilot program established under item 7004-0107 of chapter 140 of the acts of 2024 to facilitate interim housing stability for individuals applying for more affordable permanent housing situations; provided further, that eligibility for the pilot program shall include households with individuals: (i) age 60 or older residing in the city of Somerville, who are otherwise eligible for housing under item 7004-9005 or item 7004-9024; (ii) with incomes 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 further, 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; provided further, that the executive office of housing and livable communities shall conduct a study to examine the feasibility and benefits of expanding the short-term housing bridge pilot program statewide; provided further, that not later than June 30, 2026, the executive office of housing and livable communities, in consultation with the executive office of aging and independence, the city of Somerville, Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Inc., and the Aging Services Access Points, shall submit a report on the outcomes of the study to the joint committee on aging and independence, the joint committee on housing and the house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to: (a) the number of people served by the program, including available demographic information; (b) the average cost per participant; (c) whether participants have previously received services from the executive office; (d) the length of time participants utilize services before being able to access permanent housing solutions; (e) any projected cost-savings to the commonwealth associated with this program; (f) any policy or legislative recommendations to implement the program statewide or support housing stability for those eligible for the program; (g) the projected costs of implementing the program statewide; (h) any projected cost-savings of implementing the program statewide; and (i) testimony and recommendations from at least 3 older adults who have experienced housing instability or homelessness who shall be chosen by Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Inc.”; and by striking out the figure “$100,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “$300,000”.