May 18, 2009
First Stop is an
early warning/early intervention, homelessness prevention initiative run in collaboration
with community health centers and public schools. First Stop places experienced housing
advocates in neighborhood health centers and public schools to help consumers who are at
risk of homelessness access a range of resources to stabilize their housing. The goal is
to provide earlier identification of and intervention with households experiencing housing
and income problems before situations become a full-blown crisis.
·
Senator Thomas McGee (D-Lynn) filed amendment
# 210 to insert money and language into the Emergency Assistance Family Services Account
in the Department of Housing and Community Development (line item 7004-0101) to continue
these homeless prevention services in FY’10.
The Senate budget would reduce shelter access
for children and families by eliminating shelter eligibility for families with incomes
between 100%-130% of the federal poverty level. One hundred and thirty-seven families in
shelter – including at least 274 children – had income between 100 and 130% of
the federal poverty limit on average per month in FY’09. Advocates are concerned
these children and their families will have no safe place to go if the family shelter
income limit is reduced.
·
Senator
James Eldridge (D-Acton) filed amendment # 229 to restore the 130% income eligibility
limit for family shelter, increase funding and include no-cost language that would ensure
basic protections for homeless families.
The
proposed senate budget reduced MRVP funding by 45%. MRVP currently assists 5,200 low
income households with rental assistance in private apartments. Children under
eighteen live in 2,300 of these households. The average household income is less than
$11,000. Unless action is taken, the Commonwealth would be unable to provide housing
assistance to between 2,500 and 2,900 low-income families, elders, and persons with
disabilities and place these households at-risk of homelessness.
·
Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz (D-Jamaica Plain)
filed amendment # 250 to increase funding for MRVP to the maintenance funding level of
$35.8 million for FY’10.
The Senate budget
funds the EAEDC at $74.6 million; a $10 million cut from the House FY’10 budget
proposal. More than 19,000 elders and persons with disabilities depend on this program to
meet their basic needs. $84.6 million is the amount projected to continue benefits to all
categories of recipients. If this cut remains, DTA will need to decide how to make the
program live within this appropriation. This would require an across the board grant cut
or the elimination of benefits to categories of recipients. If the 12% cut in funding is
spread across the entire caseload, meeting this appropriation would require a $36
reduction in the monthly grant, leaving recipients with $268 to meet their daily needs.
·
Senator Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville) filed
amendment # 549 to increase funding for the program by $10 million matching the
appropriation included in the House’s final FY’10 budget.