Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless FY25 budget priorities + outcomes

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1			Shareable link to this chart: https://tinyurl.com/mchfy2025	Actively updating this column!			Actively updating this column!
2	Budget Links		https://mahomeless.org/legislative-priorities-2023-2024/	https://malegislature.gov/Budget/SenateWaysMeansBudget	https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2025/HouseDebate/Amendments/	https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2025/HouseDebate/Amendments/ https://mahomeless.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/house-amendment-cosponsorship-request-handout-for-drop-4-16-24.pdf	https://malegislature.gov/Budget/HouseWaysMeansBudget https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4600	https://budget.digital.mass.gov/govbudget/fy25/	https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2024/FinalBudget
3	Line Item	Name of Program/ Description	Coalition's FY25 Preliminary Budget Requests	Senate Ways and Means FY25 Budget Proposals (Released on May 7, 2024)	House Debate Notes + Amendment Outcomes (The House debated the 1,495 amendments filed by Representatives April 24th–April 26th.)	Key House Budget Amendments (Amendments were due on April 12th)	House Ways and Means FY25 Budget Proposals (Released April 10, 2024; $57.9 billion)	Governor's FY25 House 2 Budget Proposals (Released January 24, 2024; $58.1 billion)	Final FY24 Budget Funding and Language (Conference Committee report filed on July 30, 2023, including $56.2 billion in proposed spending; the full House and Senate voted to approve the budget on July 31, 2023; the budget was sent to Governor Healey on July 31, 2023 for approvals and vetoes; General Appropriations Act (GAA) signed by the Governor on August 9, 2023)	Notes

4	7004-9316	Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT)	Funding request: $300,000,000 Language requests: - Prohibit the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC, formerly DHCD) from requiring renters to have a notice to quit from their landlord before being approved for back rent assistance - Provide upstream access to benefits with language such as "provided further, that to be eligible for funds or services in 7004-9316, 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 summary process pursuant to chapter 239" - Increase the RAFT benefit cap beyond the current cap of $7,000/household/year - Allow households to maximize resources from RAFT, HomeBASE, and other rental assistance programs - Increase RAFT flexibility to incorporate more components of the former federally-funded Emergency Rental Assistance Program - Maintain quarterly tracking and reporting requirements	Funding: $197,406,952, matching the House's proposal and the Governor's House 2 request	Amendment outcome: This amendment was considered under the Housing category but not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment F.	Amendment: See Amendment #790, "Improvements to the RAFT Homelessness Prevention Program," from Representative Decker. This amendment would: - Earmark $10 million within the RAFT account to provide grants above the general $7,000/household/year cap to families and individuals when the administering agency determines that a higher grant is essential to resolve a housing crisis - Prohibit EOHLC from imposing a notice to quit requirement on households seeking assistance with back rent and move RAFT benefits upstream - Require direct-to-tenant payments in cases where the landlord is not cooperative with the RAFT application and documentation process - Direct EOHLC to provide forward rent payments for eligible households as long as the award would not exceed the 12-month benefit cap	Funding: $197,406,952, matching the Governor's House 2 request Language: - Includes language to limit RAFT benefits to $7,000/household over a 12-month period - Does not include language to prohibit the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) from requiring a notice to quit, a summary process summons and complaint, or utility shut-off notice before families and individuals can access RAFT	Funding: $197,406,952	Funding: $190,000,000 Language: Includes language to limit RAFT benefits to $7,000/household over a 12-month period, matching the limit put into effect by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities on July 1st for new applicants. Does not include language to prohibit the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) from requiring a notice to quit, a summary process summons and complaint, or utility shut-off notice before families and individuals can access RAFT.
5	7004-0101	Emergency Assistance Family Shelters and Services (EA)	Funding request: Adequate funding to provide traditional shelter or overflow shelter spaces to all eligible families (not capped at 7,500 families.) The Administration has estimated that the cost for EA and related services for 7,500 families in FY25 will cost $915 million, and has proposed funding EA through a combination of funds from the FY25 budget and an FY24 supplemental budget request. Language requests: - Ensure access to traditional shelters, motels, or overflow spaces for all eligible families - Restore the FY22 ombudsperson unit language (not included in FY23 or FY24, although EOHLC has named one ombudsperson) - Improve tracking and reporting language and include requirement to report data monthly and post publicly - Continue to require EOHLC to provide the Legislature 90 days advance notice before reducing eligibility or benefits	Funding: $325,271,903 in direct appropriations, matching the House Ways and Means proposal. The FY24 supplemental budget signed into law on April 30,2024 includes language to allow up to $175 million in additional funds to be transferred to EA from the Transitional Escrow Fund in FY25.	Amendment outcome: This amendment was considered under the Housing category but not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment F.	Amendment: See Amendment #789, "Improvements to Emergency Assistance for Children and Families," from Representative Decker. This amendment would: - Expand tracking and reporting language to include data on families placed on the EA waiting list - Create an ombudsperson unit within EOHLC, with language similar to that which was enacted with the FY22 budget - Officially remove the Emergency Assistance asset limit	Funding: $325,271,903 plus language in Outside Section 91 to transfer up to $175 million from the Transitional Escrow Fund Language: - Includes extensive tracking and reporting language - Would require EOHLC to provide the Legislature 90 days advance notice before reducing eligibility or benefits - Would maintain current access to EA shelter but would not affirmatively ensure access for all eligible families as it does not address the existing cap of 7,500 families - Would not restore the FY22 ombudsperson unit language	Funding: $325,251,902 plus additional FY24 and FY25 funding proposed in a supplemental budget request also filed on January 24th, including $215 million in direct EA funding and $10 million for wraparound services. See https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4284	Funding: $325,251,902
6	9110-XXXX (new line item)	Bridge subsidies to promote housing stability for older adults	Funding request: Provide $60 million to create bridge subsidies for up to 6,000 older adults facing housing instability to allow them to remain in place while they await approval for public housing or a subsidy through programs such as the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program. Low-income older adults participating in the bridge subsidy program would pay 30% of their income towards rent, with the bridge subsidy making up the difference in the total rent, up to 110% of the fair market rent. The bridge subsidy program would be administered by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) in collaboration with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC, formerly the Department of Housing and Community Development.)	Funding: Not included	Amendment outcome: This amendment was considered under the Elder Affairs category but not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment B.	Amendment: See Amendment #1075, "Prevent Older Adults from Experiencing Homelessness," from Representative Uyterhoeven. This amendment would add $10 million to the budget for a short-term housing bridge subsidy program for low-income older adults, ages 60 and older, at risk of housing instability or homelessness.	Funding: Not included	Funding: Not included	Funding: Not included
7	4000-0007	Housing and Services for Unaccompanied Youth and Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness	Funding request: $15,000,000 to provide needed housing and wraparound services to youth and young adults experiencing homelessness and housing instability	Funding: $10,545,850, matching the House's proposal and the Governor's House 2 request	Amendment outcome: This amendment was considered under the Elder Affairs category but not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment B.	Amendments: See Amendment #1302, "Housing and Services for Unaccompanied Youth Experiencing Homelessness," from Representative O'Day. This amendment would increase funding for the youth homelessness line item by almost $1.5 million, so as to provide $12 million in FY25. See also Amendment #660, "Boston Area Youth - Cash Assistance For Stable Housing," from Representative Owens. This amendment would earmark $100,000 in the line item for the launch of BAY-CASH, to provide direct cash assistance to unaccompanied youth and young adults who are experiencing homelessness. Learn more about BAY-CASH here: https://www.baycash.org/.	Funding: $10,545,850, matching the Governor's House 2 request	Funding: $10,545,850	Funding: $11,000,000, matching the higher Senate funding level.
8	7004-0108	HomeBASE	Funding request: $80,000,000 Language requests: - Allow families who otherwise would be eligible for Emergency Assistance to access HomeBASE "upstream", so that more families can maintain their existing apartments - Allow households to maximize resources from RAFT, HomeBASE, and other rental assistance programs - Continue to allow eligible families to receive at least two years of HomeBASE benefits, with opportunities for families to further extend HomeBASE in twelve-month increments to avoid a return to homelessness - Continue to provide families with at least $30,000 over two years plus $15,000 for each subsequent year, with additional flexibility for the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to address the needs of larger families, families in higher cost areas, and other families with extenuating circumstances - Continue to allow families to maximize their incomes by not reimposing an income eligibility limit for families enrolled in HomeBASE - Maintain FY24 language to require the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to provide the Legislature 90 days advance notice before reducing eligibility or benefits - Include language to carry over any unspent funds into the next fiscal year	Funding: $57,322,001	Amendment outcome: This amendment was considered under the Housing category but not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment F.	Amendment: See Amendment #737, "Improvements to HomeBASE," from Representative Barber. This amendment would: - Allow families to renew HomeBASE benefits beyond 3 years if needed - Allow families to increase their income and stay in HomeBASE longer than 12 months - Provide upstream access to benefits to prevent loss of existing housing and promote housing stability - Allow households to maximize resources from RAFT, HomeBASE, and other rental assistance programs - Add language to carry over unspent FY24 funds into FY25	Funding: $57,322,001, matching the Governor's House 2 request Language: - Would allow eligible families to receive at least two years of HomeBASE benefits, with an opportunity for families to further extend HomeBASE for one twelve-month period - Would provide families with up to $30,000 over two years plus up to $15,000 in the third year of enrollment - Includes an earmark of at least $2.5 million to allow administering agencies to provide HomeBASE awards above $30,000 over two years to families for whom the additional funds are "essential to resolve a housing crisis" - Would require EOHLC to provide the Legislature 90 days advance notice before reducing eligibility or benefits - Includes extensive tracking and reporting language	Funding: $57,322,001	Funding: $37,070,445 Language: Includes House language to increase the HomeBASE cap to $30,000 over 24 months and to allow eligible families to renew HomeBASE benefits in 12-month increments beyond the first 24 months. Also includes an earmark of at least $2.5 million and language similar to language initially proposed by the Senate to give HLC the flexibility to provide additional resources to families beyond the general cap: "provided further, that not less than $2,500,000 shall be made available to administering agencies for circumstances in which the administering agency believes an award greater than $30,000 in a 24-month period is essential to resolve a housing crisis, in accordance with guidance from the executive office of housing and livable communities." Also includes language requiring HLC to give the Legislature 90-days advance notice before making any eligibility changes and benefits reductions that would reduce benefits as compared to the benefits available as of June 30, 2023: "provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, not less than 90 days before promulgating or amending any regulation, administrative practice or policy that would alter eligibility for or the level of benefits under this program to less than the benefit level available on June 30, 2023, the executive office shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate setting forth the justification for such changes including, but not limited to, any determination by the secretary of housing and livable communities that available appropriations will be insufficient to meet projected expenses;"
9	7004-9024	Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP)	Funding request: $300,000,000 to allow increased access to MRVP and make program improvements	Funding: $219,038,574, matching the House's proposal and the Governor's House 2 request			Funding: $219,038,574, matching the Governor's House 2 request	Funding: $219,038,574	Funding: $179,597,023, matching the higher Senate funding level. Language: Includes compromise language to give HLC the discretion to set the payment standard at 110% of the fair market rent (FMR) or 110% of the small-area fair market rent (SAFMR).
10	4408-1000	Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children Program (EAEDC)	Funding request: Adequate funding to further increase monthly payments by 20% Language requests: - Increase monthly grants by 20%, building on the FY21–FY23 monthly grant increases - Maintain FY24 language to require the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) to provide the Legislature 75 days advance notice before reducing eligibility or benefits - Add Outside Section language to increase grants by 20% each year until they reach half of the federal poverty level	Funding: $183,182,092, which $4.2 million more than the House's proposal and the Governor's House 2 request	Amendment outcome: This amendment was considered under the Social Services category but not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment A.	Amendment: See Amendment #788, "Lift Kids Out of Deep Poverty," from Representative Decker. This amendment would make changes to the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC) cash assistance programs. This amendment would provide 10% grant increases for TAFDC and EAEDC participants starting in October 2024 and provide additional funding in the accounts to pay for the grant increases. For EAEDC, the amendment would increase the funding by $13 million to $191,982,092.	Funding: $178,982,092, matching the Governor's House 2 request Language: - Would not increase monthly grants for EAEDC program participants - Would require the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) to provide the Legislature 75 days advance notice before reducing eligibility or benefits	Funding: $178,982,092	Funding: Funded at $204,409,929 by the Legislature, but then the Governor reduced the funding to $186.409,929 through the veto process. The funding has not been restored. Language: GAA included language to implement a 10% grant increase starting in April 2024, but Governor Healey cut the funding that would cover the increases as part of her January 2024 9C budget cuts.
11	4403-2000	Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children Grant Payments (TAFDC)	Funding request: Adequate funding to further increase monthly payments by 20% Language requests: - Increase monthly grants by 20%, building on the FY21–FY23 monthly grant increases - Maintain the annual clothing allowance of $450/child and the corresponding increase in the TAFDC Standard of Need that has allowed families usually just above the income eligibility limit to access the clothing allowance - Maintain FY24 language to require the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) to provide the Legislature 75 days advance notice before reducing eligibility or benefits - Add Outside Section language to increase grants by 20% each year until they reach half of the federal poverty level	Funding: $496,214,609, matching the House's proposal and the Governor's House 2 request	Amendment outcome: This amendment was considered under the Social Services category but not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment A.	Amendment: See Amendment #788, "Lift Kids Out of Deep Poverty," from Representative Decker. This amendment would make changes to the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC) cash assistance programs. This amendment would provide 10% grant increases for TAFDC and EAEDC participants starting in October 2024 and provide additional funding in the accounts to pay for the grant increases. For TAFDC, the amendment would increase the funding by $21 million to $517,214,609.	Funding: $496,214,609, matching the Governor's House 2 request Language: - Would provide a 10% monthly grant increase for TAFDC participants, starting in April 2025 - Would maintain the annual clothing allowance of $450/child and the corresponding increase in the TAFDC Standard of Need that has allowed families usually just above the income eligibility limit to access the clothing allowance - Would require the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) to provide the Legislature 75 days advance notice before reducing eligibility or benefits	Funding: $496,214,609	Funding: $444,655,605, matching the higher Senate funding level. Language: GAA included language to implement a 10% grant increase starting in April 2024 but Governor Healey cut the funding that would cover the increases as part of her January 2024 9C budget cuts. Included language to increase the annual children's clothing allowance to $450/eligible child.
12	Relevant Outside Section and 1595-6368	Language in an Outside Section and funding within the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund to provide free Mass IDs to people experiencing homelessness	Funding: $75,000 Language: Include language in the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund line item and an outside section to provide free Mass IDs to people experiencing homelessness	Funding: Not included Language: Not included. The Senate, however, already has passed the Mass ID access bill this session. The bill is awaiting action in the House Committee on Ways and Means.	Amendment outcome: This amendment was considered under the Transportation category but not adopted in Consolidated Amendment E.	Amendment: See Amendment #299, "Identification for youth and adults experiencing homelessness," from Representative O'Day. This amendment would add $75,000 in the line item to provide free Mass IDs to people experiencing homelessness. It also would add an outside section to establish fee waiver and documentation standards for youth and adults experiencing homelessness to access standard Mass IDs.	Funding: Not included	Funding: Not included	Language: Not included. The Senate, however, voted unanimously on July 27, 2023 to pass the Mass ID access bill, which now will await action in the House.
13	7004-9030	Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP)	Funding request: $30,000,000	Funding: $16,355,696, matching the House's proposal and the Governor's House 2 request	Amendment outcome: This amendment was considered under the Housing category but not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment F.	Amendment: See Amendment #667, "The Alternative Housing Voucher Program," from Representative Consalvo. This amendment would increased proposed funding for AHVP by $500,000 to $16,855,696.	Funding: $16,355,696, matching the Governor's House 2 request	Funding: $16,355,696	Funding: $16,863,078
14	7004-9005	Subsidies to Public Housing Authorities	Funding request: $189,000,000	Funding: $115,000,000, which is $3 million more than the levels proposed by the House and Governor			Funding: $112,000,000, matching the Governor's House 2 request	Funding: $112,000,000	Funding: $107,000,000
15	0321-1800 (new line item)	Access to Counsel	Funding request: $3,500,000	Funding: Not included	Amendment outcome: This amendment was considered under the Judiciary category but not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment C.	Amendment: See Amendment #1479, "Access to Counsel," from Representative D. Rogers. This amendment would: - Make the access to counsel pilot program statewide - Ensure that participants receive full legal representation and not just partial assistance - Clarify that the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation should collaborate with an advisory committee to determine how to implement the program	Funding: $2,500,000	Funding: $3,500,000	Funding: Not included	See the Access to Counsel Coalition's FY25 budget letter to the Healey Administration: https://www.massrtc.org/uploads/2/7/0/4/27042339/access_to_counsel_ltr_to_gov_healey___sec_gorzkowicz.pdf
16	7004-0102	Shelter and Services for Adults Experiencing Homelessness	Funding request: At least $120,000,000	Funding: $110,752,398, matching the House's proposal and the Governor's House 2 request			Funding: $110,752,398, matching the Governor's House 2 request	Funding: $110,752,398	Funding: Conference Committee budget included $110,792,39. The Governor vetoed $40,000 in funding, approving $110,752,398. Language: The Governor vetoed a $40,000 earmark for Craig's Doors, which the Legislature then overrode.
17	7004-0104	Home and Healthy for Good Program	Funding request: $11,000,000	Funding: $8,390,000	Amendment outcome: This amendment was considered under the Housing category but not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment F.	Relevant amendment: See Amendment #26, "Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance," from Representative Hawkins.	Funding: $8,890,000	Funding: $8,390,000	Funding: $8,890,000, higher than the amounts initially recommended by the House and Senate. The Governor vetoed $2,500,000 in funding, approving $6,390,000, which the Legislature then overrode.
18	7035-0008	Transportation for Students Experiencing Homelessness	Funding request: At least $28,671,815	Funding: $28,671,815, matching the House's proposal and the Governor's House 2 request			Funding: $28,671,815, matching the Governor's House 2 request	Funding: $28,671,815	Funding: $28,671,815, as recommended by both the House and Senate. Language: The Governor vetoed earmarks in the line item, which the Legislature then overrode.
19	4400-1032	Food Benefits for Certain Immigrants	Language: Continue to provide state-funded food benefits to certain immigrants who have Lawful Permanent Resident status, are permanently residing in the U.S. under color of law (PRUCOL status), or are humanitarian parolees. The FY24 program is set to run out of funds before the end of the fiscal year. It currently provides food assistance to families and individuals who otherwise meet the eligibility criteria for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).	Funding: Not included	Amendment outcome: This amendment was considered under the Judiciary category but not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment C.	Amendment: See Amendment #247, "State-funded SNAP Assistance," from Representative Cabral. This amendment would provide $30 million for state-funded food benefits for certain immigrants who have Lawful Permanent Resident status, are permanently residing in the U.S. under color of law (PRUCOL status), or are humanitarian parolees. It also would require the Department of Transitional Assistance to provide training to their staff so they can thoroughly screen families and individuals for federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits before approving households for benefits from the limited state-funded program.	Funding: Not included	Funding: Not included	Funding: n/a
20	4400-XXXX (new line item)	Cash Assistance Benefits for Certain Immigrants	Language: Restore state-funded cash benefits to certain immigrants who have Lawful Permanent Resident status or otherwise are permanently residing in the U.S. under color of law (PRUCOL status). The program would provide cash assistance to families and individuals who otherwise meet the eligibility criteria for the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) program.	Funding: Not included			Funding: Not included	Funding: Not included	Funding: n/a
21	7004-0202	Rapid Rehousing for Individuals	Funding request: At least $5,000,000	Funding: $5,000,000, matching the House's proposal and the Governor's House 2 request			Funding: $5,000,000, matching the Governor's House 2 request	Funding: $5,000,000	Funding: Includes $5,000,000, as recommended by both the House and Senate.
22	7004-3045	Tenancy Preservation Program (TPP)	Funding request: $2,000,000	Funding: $2,042,755, matching the House's proposal and the Governor's House 2 request			Funding: $2,042,755, matching the Governor's House 2 request	Funding: $2,042,755	Funding: Includes $2,042,755 as recommended by both the House and Senate.
23	7004-0105	Sponsor-based Permanent Supportive Housing	Funding request: At least $8,000,000	Funding: $8,905,000, matching the House's proposal and the Governor's House 2 request			Funding: $8,905,000, matching the Governor's House 2 request	Funding: $8,905,000	Funding: Includes $8,905,000, higher than the amounts initially recommended by the House and Senate.
24	7004-9007	Public Housing Reform	Funding request: $7,700,000	Funding: $1,250,000, matching the House's proposal and the Governor's House 2 request			Funding: $1,250,000, matching the Governor's House 2 request	Funding: $1,250,000	Funding: Includes $1,315,000, a compromise amount.
25	7004-0099	Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC or HLC) Administrative Line Item	Language request: Language to ensure that EOHLC maintains access to in-person applications for Emergency Assistance (EA) in the 10 cities and towns where the Executive Office has had local offices plus language to implement an online application portal for the EA program	Language: Includes language to ensure that EOHLC maintains access to in-person applications for Emergency Assistance (EA) in the 10 cities and towns where the Executive Office has had local offices			Language: Includes language to ensure that EOHLC maintains access to in-person applications for Emergency Assistance (EA) in the 10 cities and towns where the Executive Office has had local offices	Language: Coming soon	Amendment outcome: This amendment was considered under the Social Services category, but not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment A.
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