Children to be Effected by Shelter Regulation Changes

Massachusetts Catholic Conference

March 18, 2009

Between July of last year and February of this year, due to the financial and housing crises, the number of families in the Commonwealth needing emergency housing has increased by thirty two percent. Governor Deval Patrick’s Administration proposes to tighten eligibility requirements for homeless shelters to help close a state funding gap.  If the eligibility restrictions are implemented hundreds of homeless families with children will be left without a safe place to go during a time of economic instability.

The Massachusetts Catholic Conference has joined with the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless and other advocacy groups across the Commonwealth to voice their concern. They have sent letters to the Governor and the Legislative Leadership requesting that shelter access remain available to children and their families by shifting money that Massachusetts is receiving from the Federal Economic Recovery package into the family shelter state budget account (line item 4403-2120), rather than by restricting eligibility.

The regulation changes are scheduled to go into effect on April 1, 2009. The Coalition for the Homeless urges concerned citizens to:

  1. Call their State Representative and State Senator (617-722-2000). Ask them to urge legislative leaders to provide supplemental funding for the Emergency Assistance family shelter and services program (line item 4403-2120) by April 1st to prevent the changes from taking effect.
  1. Call Governor Deval Patrick at 617-725-4005 or 1-888-870-7770. Ask him to withdraw the proposed shelter regulation changes.

Resources

Testimony provided by Catholic Charities

Letter sent to Governor Deval Patrick

Letter sent to Legislative Leadership

Massachusetts Catholic Conference
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