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 Last updated August 6, 2021 Shareable link to this chart: https://tinyurl.com/mchfy22*See our FY23 budget chart here: https://tinyurl.com/mchfy23
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Line ItemName of Program/ DescriptionCoalition's FY22 Budget RequestsLegislature's Review of Gubernatorial Vetoes and Amendments (started July 28, 2021)Coalition's FY22 Veto Override Requests to the LegislatureGovernor's Review of the FY22 Budget (General Appropriations Act) and Budget Signing and Vetoes (Issued July 16, 2021, approving $47.6 billion in funding)Conference Committee/Final Legislative FY22 Budget Funding and Language (Conference Committee report filed on July 8, 2021, including $48.1 billion; the full House and Senate each voted unanimously to approve the budget on July 9, 2021; the budget was sent to Governor Baker on July 9th for approvals and vetoes)Coalition's FY22 Conference Committee (CC) RequestsSenate Budget Amendments and Debate Notes (Amendments were due on May 14th, with the full Senate debating the budget May 25th-27th; final Senate budget total = $47.7 billion)Senate Ways and Means FY22 Budget Proposals (Released May 11, 2021; total = $47.6 billion, with $1.55 billion to be drawn from the state's Stabilization Fund, a.k.a. Rainy Day Fund)House Budget Amendments and Debate Notes (Amendments were due on April 16th, with the full House debating the budget April 26th-28th)House Ways and Means FY22 Budget Proposals (Released April 14, 2021; total = $47.65 billion)Governor's FY22 House 1 Budget Proposals (Released January 27, 2021; total = $45.6 billion)*Legislature's Review of Gubernatorial FY21 Vetoes and Amendments (December 11, 2020-January 5, 2021)Governor's Review of the FY21 Budget (General Appropriations Act) and Budget Signing and Vetoes (Issued December 11, 2020)Conference Committee/Final Legislative FY21 Budget Funding and Language (Conference Committee named on November 23, 2020; committee report filed on December 3, 2020; House and Senate voted to approve the budget on December 4, 2020)Coalition's FY21 Conference Committee (CC) Requests
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Budget Notes/LinksOur budget requests, as of February 23, 2021, also are outlined in this overview sheet.The Legislature began working through the veto overrides and outside section amendments on July 28th in the House and July 29th in the Senate.In order to override a gubernatorial veto, both the House and Senate need to have at least 2/3 of their members vote in support of the override.Vetoes: https://www.mass.gov/lists/fiscal-year-2022-vetoesConference Committee recommendations: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/ConferenceCommitteeThe six members of the FY22 budget conference committee were named on June 7th, and the committee had its first meeting on June 8th. The conferees are Senator Rodrigues, Senator Friedman, Senator O'Connor, Representative Michlewitz, Representative Ferrante, and Representative Smola.Senate amendments: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2022/SenateDebate Final Senate budget: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2022/SenateBudgethttps://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2022/SenateWaysMeansBudget/Ways_Means_Final_Budgethttps://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2022/HouseDebatehttps://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2022/HouseWaysMeansBudget/https://budget.digital.mass.gov/govbudget/fy22/December 11th: https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy21 December 5th: The Governor received the budget from the Legislature on Friday, December 4th. He has 10 days to review the budget and then sign it and issue line item vetoes. Please ask the Governor to sign into law the funding and language for the line items and outside sections below. A template letter from which to cut and paste and to share is here: https://tinyurl.com/fy21govletterhttps://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H5164https://mahomeless.org/fy21confcommittee/
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7004-9316Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT)At least $55 million in FY22 from the Legislature to address the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing needs, with additional requests anticipated as the scale of the need becomes clearer. These funds would be combined with federal emergency rental assistance and other relief resources. Raise the $10,000 cap on annual benefits, and make permanent the FY21 budget provision that allows eligible households to combine funds from RAFT and HomeBASE if needed. Mandate detailed tracking and reporting on households applying, approved, denied, and funding uses. Veto overridden by House and Senate. (House vote: 151-8; Senate vote: 39-1)The Coalition asks the Legislature to restore language directing the transfer of $4,725,768 from the Housing Preservation and Stabilization Trust Fund to RAFT. Funding: The Governor approved the $22,000,000 in direct funding, and vetoed language that would direct $4,725,768 from the Housing Preservation and Stabilization Trust Fund to RAFT, saying, "I am striking this language because it is not consistent with my House 1 recommendation." Language: The Governor approved the Legislature's language to maintain the $10,000 RAFT cap until December 31, 2021, and then lower it to $7,000 for second half of fiscal year, and to decouples RAFT and HomeBASE benefits so as to allow eligible households to maximize funding from both programs (but language in the HomeBASE line item, described below, limits the combination to $10,000 in a 12-month period.)Funding: $26,725,768 total ($22,000,000 in recommended direct appropriations plus $4,725,768 from the Housing Preservation and Stabilization Trust Fund) Language: $10,000 cap until December 31, 2021, and then $7,000 for second half of fiscal year; decouples RAFT and HomeBASE benefits so as to allow eligible households to maximize funding from both programs (but language in the HomeBASE line item, described below, limits the combination to $10,000 in a 12-month period.)Funding: House funding level of $26,725,768 total ($22,000,000 in recommended direct appropriations plus $4,725,768 from the Housing Preservation and Stabilization Trust Fund) Language: House language to retain the $10,000 cap on annual benefits for the full fiscal year, and Senate language to decouple RAFT and HomeBASE benefits so as to allow eligible households to maximize funding from both programsPriority amendment: Senator Crighton has filed Amendment #756 on improving RAFT, by increasing the appropriation to $26.7 million, keeping the $10,000 benefit cap for the entire fiscal year (not just during the state of emergency), and decoupling RAFT and HomeBASE benefits for the entire fiscal year to allow families to maximize both programs. Amendment redrafted on May 26th to include decoupling language and extension of $10,000 cap until December 31, 2021, with a $7,000 cap for the second half of the fiscal year; redraft did not include higher appropriation for RAFT Outcome: Adopted as redrafted (Part of "Yes" bundle #5)Funding: $16,274,232 in direct appropriations, to be combined with federal, public, and private resources Language: Includes language on combining with other resources and distributing the resources equitably "provided further, that funds appropriated under this item shall be in addition to the federal sources for emergency rental assistance, utility assistance and other forms of assistance pursuant to section 501 of subtitle A of title V of division N of the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and section 3201 of subtitle B of title III of the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 including, but not limited to, $350,540,803 for the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program as referenced in section 2D; and provided further, that the department shall distribute funds under this item as well as said federal sources and other public and private sources of short-term rental and mortgage assistance in a manner that prioritizes: (A) those communities most affected by the impacts of the 2019 novel coronavirus; and (B) geographic equity"; would retain the current $10,000/year limit on RAFT payments until the state of emergency is lifted, but does not specify amount post-state of emergency





n/aFunding: $26,725,768 total: $22,000,000 in recommended direct appropriations plus $4,725,768 from the Housing Preservation and Stabilization Trust Fund Language: Retains $10,000 cap on annual benefits; includes tracking and reporting languageFunding: $18,872,395 total: $16,274,232 in direct appropriations plus $2,598,163 in retained revenue; in budget line item summary**, the Administration notes, "Eliminated FY21 one-time costs.” We anticipate that federal funds will continue to supplement state resources to support RAFT in FY22.Veto not overridden, as requestedFunding: Approved the full $54,700,000 ($50 million in direct appropriations and $4.7 million to be transferred from the Housing Preservation and Stabilization Trust Fund) appropriated by the Legislature. These funds are in addition to resources allocated through the Eviction Diversion Initiative (EDI) and other resources ($45 million from EDI, $18 million from federal Coronavirus Relief Funds, and $15 million carried over from an FY20 supplemental budget) Anticipated total funding is $132.7 million for FY21 Language: Struck phrases related to the Upstream RAFT language: "I am striking this language because it complicates the efficient allocation of funds." It appears that this veto may be helpful to ensure that households can maximize RAFT funds during the pandemic. See the line item with vetoed language here: https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy21/enacted/housing-and-economic-development/housing-and-community-development/70049316



Funding: $54.7 million ($50 million in direct appropriations and $4.7 million to be transferred from the Housing Preservation and Stabilization Trust Fund) Language: Language included to decouple the RAFT and HomeBASE programs so as to allow eligible households to combine and maximize benefits from the two programs during the current COVID-19 state of emergency, as well as language to simplify the application process and require additional tracking and reporting on program data.Funding: House and Senate funding level of $54.7 million in total funds allocated through the budget process allocations and transfers Language: House version of language that would raise the maximum RAFT benefit to $10,00/household over a 12-month period and remove language that currently prohibits eligible households from maximizing RAFT and HomeBASE benefits, plus Senate language from Amendment #336 (see below). It is important to note that both the House and Senate proposed action on the RAFT and HomeBASE linkage issue. The Senate left in language that would limit eligible households to a combined total of $10,000 from the two programs, but also said the cap would not be in effect for the duration of the COVID-19 state of emergency.
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7004-0101Emergency Assistance Family Shelters and Services (EA)At least $196,000,000 or adequate funding, based on the anticipated dramatic increase in family homelessness due to COVID-19; continue to include language from the FY21 budget to provide shelter to otherwise eligible families who are at imminent risk of staying in a place not meant for human habitation, and further guidance and oversight to ensure that this language is implemented properly in FY22; continue to allow families to maintain EA eligibility until they reach 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (while also maintaining the over-income grace period); maintain the requirement that the Administration give the Legislature 90-days advance notice before reducing benefits or imposing new limits on program eligibility. In addition, we are working to establish funding to create an ombudsperson unit to have dedicated staff address issues and concerns from families applying for and participating in the EA program. We also are working to maintain language in the related DHCD administrative line item (7004-0099) to maintain access to in-person applications for families seeking shelter. Language in the FY21 budget requires DHCD to take applications in the 10 cities and towns where DHCD had staff as of January 1, 2020 and to maintain adequate staffing levels, and prohibits DHCD from shifting to a remote-access only system, in which families would have to use a phone, computer, or other technology to apply or otherwise forego applying.Veto overridden by House and Senate. (House vote: 141-18; Senate vote: 38-2)The Coalition asks the Legislature to restore language and funding to create an independent ombudsperson office under the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and the expanded tracking and reporting language.Funding: $196,810,750. The Governor vetoed $150,000 in funding that would be directed to create an ombudsperson unit. Language: The Governor vetoed language to create an independent ombudsperson office under the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and all of the tracking and reporting language. He also vetoed language that would redirect unspent FY21 funds to contracted EA shelter providers with operating gaps and deficits, saying, "I am striking language because the required report is unduly burdensome. I am also striking language because it is not consistent with my House 1 recommendation. Finally, I am striking language that earmarks funding for a purpose not recommended. The reduction in the item incorporates the amount of the stricken earmarked funds."Funding: $196,960,750, higher than levels previously proposed by the House and Senate Language: Language to create an independent ombudsperson office under the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and expanded tracking and reporting languageFunding: House and Senate recommended funding level of $195,885,750, with Senate language to use at least $150,000 to create an independent ombudsperson office within the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development for families applying for and participating in EA and HomeBASE Language: Senate language to create an ombudsperson office and the Senate's expanded tracking and reporting languagePriority amendment: Senator Chang-Díaz has filed Amendment #804 on improving Emergency Assistance data collection to inform and drive better service to children and families experiencing homelessness. Amendment redrafted on May 27th to remove reference to state of emergency so that data on families staying in congregate and shared shelter settings and families out on extended leave due to COVID-19 would be collected throughout all of FY22 Outcome: Adopted as redraftedFunding: $195,885,750, including at least $150,000 to create an independent ombudsperson office within the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development Language: Includes new language to create an ombudsperson office, as well as similar language to the House that would continue to allow families to maintain EA eligibility until they reach 200% of the FPL; provide shelter to otherwise eligible families who are at risk of staying in a place not meant for human habitation; and maintain the requirement that the Administration give the Legislature 90-days advance notice before reducing benefits or imposing new limits on program eligibilitySee Amendment #486 from Representative Marjorie Decker; amendment not included in final House budget; considered as part of Consolidated Amendment AFunding: $195,885,750; Language: Continues to allow families to maintain EA eligibility until they reach 200% of the FPL; includes language to provide shelter to otherwise eligible families who are at risk of staying in a place not meant for human habitation; maintains the requirement that the Administration give the Legislature 90-days advance notice before reducing benefits or imposing new limits on program eligibilityFunding: $195,885,750Veto overridden by House and SenateFunding: $184,785,750 ($180,904,755 in direct appropriations, with language to carry over up to $4,880,995 million in unspent funds from FY20) Language: Struck some of the tracking and reporting language with message, "I am striking this language because the required reporting is infeasible." See the line item with vetoed language here: https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy21/enacted/housing-and-economic-development/housing-and-community-development/70040101Funding: $184,785,750 ($180,904,755 in direct appropriations, with language to carry over up to $4,880,995 million in unspent funds from FY20) Language: Additional tracking and reporting language, including requirements for DHCD to provide more detailed data on reasons for denial; data on race and ethnicity of families that are approved for EA, denied EA, or not given a placement or formal denial; data on families applying for EA that do not enter EA with 48 hours of the time of application; data on families approved for shelter right before they otherwise would have to stay in a place not meant for human habitation, families approved for shelter after staying in places not meant for human habitation, and families that requested EA services from DHCD and then stayed in a place not meant for human habitation before ultimately being approved for shelter; data on families in congregate and other shared shelter placements during the COVID-19 pandemic; data on families on extended leave from congregate and other shared shelter placements during the pandemic related to social distancing, isolation, quarantine, and/or COVID-19-related care; and data on families with approved requests for reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act who have not yet been transferred to new units that better accommodate their needs. In addition, the line item language authorizes DHCD to use funds to "ensure adequate and accessible services" during the pandemic.Funding: Senate funding level of $184,785,750 Language: Senate tracking and reporting language
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4000-0007Housing and Services for Unaccompanied Youth and Young Adults Experiencing HomelessnessAt least $8,000,000 to provide needed housing and wraparound services to youth and young adults experiencing homelessness and housing instability through the 10 regional agencies initially selected in FY19 to administer the programn/an/aFunding: The Governor approved the $8,000,000 in direct funding.Funding: $8,000,000Funding: House and Senate funding level of $8,000,000n/aFunding: $8,000,000n/aFunding: $8,000,000Funding: $5,000,000n/aFunding: Approved the full $8,000,000 appropriated by the Legislature https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy21/enacted/health-and-human-services/health-and-human-services/40000007Funding: $8,000,000Funding: House and Senate funding level of $8,000,000
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7004-9024Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP)Increase funding from $135,000,000 to $160,000,000; increase the number of subsidies to tenants and developers; decrease the required tenant share of rent to 30% of income from the current range of 30-40% of incomen/an/aFunding: The Governor approved the funding level of $150,000,000, as appropriated by the Legislature. Language: The Governor approved the language as proposed by the Legislature.Funding: $150,000,000 ($129,981,667 in new appropriations plus not less than $20,018,333 in unspent funds from FY21) Language: Does not include Senate language capping tenant rent share at 30% of income. Includes compromise language to allow (but not require) DHCD to target at least 75% of newly issued vouchers to households with incomes at or below 30% area median income at time of initial occupancy.Funding: Senate funding level of $150,000,000 ($129,981,667 in new appropriations plus not less than $20,018,333 in unspent funds from FY21) Language: Include Senate language so that voucher holders would not have to pay more than 30% of their income toward rent from current standard of 40% of income, and additional Senate language so that at least 75% of newly issued vouchers would be targeted to households with incomes at or below 30% area median income at time of initial occupancyPriority amendment: Senator Keenan has filed Amendment #444 to increase direct MRVP funding from $130 million to $160 million. Outcome: Not adopted (Rejected via "No" bundle #3)Funding: $150,000,000 ($129,981,667 in new appropriations plus not less than $20,018,333 in unspent funds from FY21) Language: Includes language so that voucher holders would not have to pay more than 30% of their income toward rent from current standard of 40% of income, with an option for mobile voucher holders to pay more than 30% of their income toward rent; additional language so that at least 75% of newly issued vouchers would be targeted to households with incomes at or below 30% area median income at time of initial occupancy


See Amendment #668 from Representative Adrian Madaro; amendment not included in final House budget; considered as part of Consolidated Amendment FFunding: $128,428,265 in recommended direct appropriations plus language to carry forward up to $20,018,333 in unspent funds from FY21 Language: Does not include language to decrease tenant share of rent to 30% of income Funding: $122,645,860 in direct appropriations; potentially would be combined with additional funds from outside the operating budget, as Governor said total funding would be $135 million during budget press conference and in budget summary documents; anticipate that the additional funds will be drawn from unspent MRVP funds from FY21n/aFunding: Approved the full $135,000,000 appropriated by the Legislature. See the line item here: https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy21/enacted/housing-and-economic-development/housing-and-community-development/70049024Funding: $135,000,000 total ($125,501,294 in new appropriations, with language to carry over up to $9,498,706 in unspent funds from FY20)Funding: Senate funding level of $135,000,000
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7004-0108HomeBASEAt least $45 million to continue payments to households currently enrolled in HomeBASE that need an extension and to enroll new households in both the diversion and shelter exit components of HomeBASE; allow otherwise eligible households timing out of HomeBASE to receive an additional year of HomeBASE benefits to avoid a return to homelessness; include language to require the DHCD to provide the Legislature 90 days advance notice before reducing eligibility or benefitsLanguage restored via EA override votes described above.The Coalition asks the Legislature to restore the HomeBASE and EA tracking and reporting language described above, as vetoed from line item 7004-0101.Funding: The Governor approved the funding level of $25,970,612, as appropriated by the Legislature. Language: The Governor vetoed tracking and reporting language on HomeBASE that was included in the EA line item (see above.)Funding: $25,970,612 Language: Includes language that caps the combination of HomeBASE and RAFT assistance at $10,000 in a 12-month period; the additional language referencing the state of emergency is not applicable, as the state of emergency ended before the start of the fiscal year ("provided further, that a family shall not receive more than a combined sum of $10,000 in a 12-month period from this item and item 7004-9316; provided further, that from the passage of this act until the termination of the state of emergency concerning the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease declared by the governor on March 10, 2020, the preceding proviso shall not apply;")Funding: House and Senate funding level of $25,970,612 Language: Senate language as included in the RAFT line item (7004-9316) to decouple RAFT and HomeBASE benefits so as to allow eligible households to maximize funding from both programsPriority amendment: Senator Jehlen has filed Amendment #835 on renewing HomeBASE benefits for families that otherwise would time out/have timed out of HomeBASE before securing permanent housing; decoupling RAFT and HomeBASE benefits for the entire fiscal year to allow families to maximize both programs; bringing HomeBASE funding up to $45 million; and improving HomeBASE data collection. Outcome: Not adopted (Rejected via "No" bundle #4)Funding: $25,970,612 Language: Does not include language on providing additional benefits to families who have timed out/would otherwise time out of HomeBASE before securing permanent housing; includes language on tracking and reporting and 90-day advance notice language See Amendment #447 from Representative Christine Barber; amendment not included in final House budget; considered as part of Consolidated Amendment FFunding: $25,970,612 Language: Does not include language on providing additional benefits to families who time out of HomeBASE before securing permanent housing; includes language on tracking and reporting and 90-day advance notice language Funding: $25,970,612 Language: Governor did not include language to provide additional HomeBASE benefits for families timing out of HomeBASE before securing permanent housingVeto overridden by House and SenateFunding: Approved the full $29,058,618 appropriated by the Legislature Language: Struck tracking and reporting language with message, "I am striking this language because the required reporting is infeasible." https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy21/enacted/housing-and-economic-development/housing-and-community-development/70040108


Funding: $29,058,618 total ($27,158,178 in new appropriations, with language to carry over up to $1,900,440 in unspent funds from FY20) Language: Language to decouple the RAFT and HomeBASE programs so as to allow eligible households to combine and maximize RAFT and HomeBASE benefits during the current COVID-19 state of emergency; additional tracking and reporting language to require the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to report additional demographic details on families served and on children served; more detailed data on families re-entering Emergency Assistance shelter within 1, 2, and 3 years of exiting HomeBASEFunding: Senate funding level of $29,058,618 Language: House removal of language that currently prohibits eligible households from maximizing RAFT and HomeBASE benefits (see RAFT above) so as to decouple RAFT and HomeBASE for the full fiscal year, even if the COVID-19 state of emergency is lifted, plus expanded Senate tracking and reporting language
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1595-6368Funding within the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund to provide free Mass IDs to people experiencing homelessnessInclude funds in the line item to provide free Mass IDs to people experiencing homelessnessn/an/an/an/an/an/aFunding: $0 Language: No language on access to Mass IDs for people experiencing homelessnessSee Amendment #753 and Amendment #767, both from Representative Kay Khan and Representative Jim O'Day; Amendment #753 was withdrawn and Amendment #767 was not included in final House budget after being considered under Consolidated Amendment EFunding: $0 Language: No language on access to Mass IDs for people experiencing homelessnessFunding: $0 Language: No language on access to Mass IDs for people experiencing homelessnessn/an/aFunding: $0 Language: No language on access to Mass IDs for people experiencing homelessnessn/a: While this request was not in the House and Senate budgets, we will continue to encourage House Leadership to take action on underlying bills on easing access to Mass IDs for people experiencing homelessness that are pending in the House.
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4408-1000Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children Program (EAEDC)Increase monthly payments, and, at a minimum, maintain the FY21 10% monthly grant increases. Adequate funding. Increase funding to raise the asset limit from $250/person to $2,500 for households of 1 person and $5,000 for households of 2 or more people, plus provide adequate funding based on caseload projections; maintain FY21 budget language to provide full grants to program participants while they are experiencing homelessness, instead of imposing the previous homelessness penalty; maintain the requirement that the Administration give the Legislature 75-days advance notice before reducing benefits or imposing new limits on program eligibility. Based on data from the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) covering July 2018-October 2019 on the number of households denied or terminated from EAEDC, and taking into consideration that some households do not start and/or complete applications due to the low asset limit, we estimate that increasing the asset limit would cost less than $100,000/year.See related EAEDC outside section update below.See related EAEDC outside section request below.Funding: The Governor approved the funding level of $102,738,779, as appropriated by the Legislature. Language: The Governor approved language to increase grants so that levels are 20% higher than in FY20 and amended related outside section language on updating the EAEDC asset limit. (See below.)Funding: $102,738,779, higher than levels previously proposed by the House and Senate Language: Language to increase grants so that levels are 20% higher than in FY20 (by raising grants by another 9.1% in FY22); language to remove the asset limitFunding: Senate funding level of $101,538,779 Language: House and Senate language to increase monthly grants 20% over FY20 levels, plus Senate language from Outside Sections 48-49 of the final Senate budget on removing the EAEDC asset limitn/aFunding: $101,538,779 Language: Would increase monthly grants 20% over FY20 levels. Also includes outside sections on removing the EAEDC asset limit, with a note that income generated by assets may be treated as countable income (see Outside Sections 18-19, linked below)See Amendment #556 from Representative Jim O'Day, as well as Amendment #83 from Representative Marjorie Decker; Amendment #556 not included in the final House budget, and a modified version of Amendment #83 adopted. The language included calls for monthly grant increases for participants in the EAEDC and TAFDC programs, so that grants are 20% higher than FY20 levels. (A 10% increase already went into effect in January 2021.) Both amendments were considered under Consolidated Amendment A.Funding: $91,444,967 Language: Maintains FY21 budget language to provide full grants to program participants while they are experiencing homelessness; includes 75-day advance notice language; does not include language about raising the asset limit; includes language indicating their support for maintaining or increasing grants going forward by at least maintaining the FY21 grant increase in FY22 and saying that "the payment standard and need standard for fiscal year 2023 shall be not less than the standards set forth in this item"Funding: $83,444,967 (with federal grant spending of $7,900,000) Language: The Governor would reverse the 10% monthly grant increase instituted by the Legislature for FY21. This much-needed grant increase was just implemented in January 2021, and was the first grant increase for participants since 1988.Veto overridden by House and Senate (House vote: 130-27)Funding: Approved the full $89,983,226 appropriated by the Legislature Language: Approved the 10% monthly grant increase for the remaining months of FY21, but struck language that would carry the increase forward into FY22 https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy21/enacted/health-and-human-services/transitional-assistance/44081000Funding: $89,983,226 Language: 10% increase in monthly benefits starting in January 2021; this increase would be "deemed a permanent increase continuing past July 1, 2021". This is welcome and long overdue, as this will be the first such increase for EAEDC since 1988. See coverage: https://commonwealthmagazine.org/economy/state-budget-raises-welfare-grants-for-poor-families/Funding: House funding level of $89,983,226 Language: House language to provide a 10% increase in monthly benefits
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4403-2000Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children Grant Payments (TAFDC)Increase monthly payments, and, at a minimum, maintain the FY21 10% monthly grant increases. Adequate funding based on caseload projections; maintain the requirement that the Administration give the Legislature 75-days advance notice before reducing benefits or imposing new limits on program eligibility; maintain the $350/child annual clothing allowance and increase the standard of need in the month(s) the clothing allowance is issued so as to benefit more low-income households; maintain the elimination of the family cap rule and the removal of the homelessness penaltySee related TAFDC outside section update below.See related TAFDC outside section request below.Funding: The Governor approved the funding level of $275,916,45, as appropriated by the Legislature. Language: The Governor approved language to increase grants so that levels are 20% higher than in FY20 and amended related outside section language on updating the TAFDC asset limit. (See below.)Funding: $275,916,458 Language: Language to increase monthly grants 20% over FY20 levels (by raising grants by another 9.1% in FY22); plus language removing the TAFDC asset limitFunding: Senate funding level of $275,916,458 Language: House and Senate language to increase monthly grants 20% over FY20 levels, plus Senate outside section language from Outside Section 32 on removing the TAFDC asset limitFunding: $275,916,458 Language: Would increase the payment standard for monthly grants 20% over FY20 levels. Also includes an outside section on removing the TAFDC asset limit, with a note that income generated by assets may be treated as countable income (see Section 32 of the Outside Sections document linked below)See Amendment #83 from Representative Marjorie Decker. A modified version of Amendment #83 adopted. The language included calls for monthly grant increases for participants in the EAEDC and TAFDC programs, so that grants are 20% higher than FY20 levels. (A 10% increase already went into effect in January 2021.)Funding: $276,588,139Funding: $254,588,139 Language: The Governor would reverse the 10% monthly grant increase instituted by the Legislature for FY21. This much-needed grant increase was just implemented in January 2021, and was the first grant increase for participants since 2000. In the Governor's budget proposal letter***, he characterized it in this way: "This proposal preserves pre-COVID-19 pandemic eligibility and benefit levels for social safety net programs such as MassHealth, Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)..."Veto overridden by House and Senate (House vote: 130-27)Funding: Approved the full $240,967,007 appropriated by the Legislature Language: Approved the 10% monthly grant increase for the remaining months of FY21, but struck language that would carry the increase forward into FY22 https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy21/enacted/health-and-human-services/transitional-assistance/44032000Funding: $240,967,007 Language: 10% increase in monthly benefits starting in January 2021; this increase would be "deemed a permanent increase continuing past July 1, 2021". This is welcome and long overdue, as this will be the first such increase for TAFDC since 2000. See coverage: https://commonwealthmagazine.org/economy/state-budget-raises-welfare-grants-for-poor-families/Funding: House funding level of $240,967,007 Language: House language to provide a 10% increase in monthly benefits
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7004-9030Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP)$14,200,000n/an/aFunding: The Governor approved the funding level of $14,200,000, as appropriated by the Legislature.Funding: At least $14,200,000 in FY22 ($8,685,355 in new appropriations, with language to carry over at least $5,514,645 in unspent FY21 funds) Language: "provided further, that the department’s approved monthly rent limits for vouchers issued or leased after July 1, 2022,shall not be less than 110 per cent of the current area-wide fair market rent based on unit size as established annually by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development"Funding: Senate language that calls for at least $14,200,000 in FY22 ($8,685,355 in new appropriations, with language to carry over at least $5,514,645 in unspent FY21 funds) Language: Senate language on setting the rent limit at 110% of area fair market rentn/aFunding: $14,200,000 ($8,685,355 in new appropriations, with language to carry over at least $5,514,645 in unspent FY21 funds) Language: Would set rent limit at 110% of area fair market rentn/aFunding: $8,685,355 in appropriated direct appropriations plus language to carry forward up to $5,514,645 in unspent funds from FY21; if maximum funds carried over, HWM proposal would match the advocacy request of $14.2 millionFunding: $5,621,601; in budget line item summary**, the Administration notes, "Eliminated FY21 one-time costs”n/aFunding: Approved the full $12,526,596 appropriated by the Legislature https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy21/enacted/housing-and-economic-development/housing-and-community-development/70049030Funding: $12,526,596 ($10,621,601 in new appropriations, with language to carry over up to $1,904,995 in unspent funds from FY20)Funding: Senate funding level of $12,526,596
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7004-9005Subsidies to Public Housing Authorities$88,000,000n/an/aFunding: The Governor approved the funding level of $85,000,000, as appropriated by the Legislature.Funding: $85,000,000Funding: Senate funding level of $85,000,000Amendment of note: Amendment #806, filed by Senator Eldridge, would increase the proposed funding for public housing authorities by $500,000 to $85,500,000 Outcome: TBDFunding: $85,000,000n/aFunding: $84,000,000Funding: $75,000,000n/aFunding: Approved the full $80,00,000 appropriated by the Legislature https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy21/enacted/housing-and-economic-development/housing-and-community-development/70049005Funding: $80,000,000Funding: House funding level of $80,000,000
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7004-9007Public Housing Reform$1,000,000n/an/aFunding: The Governor approved the funding level of $1,000,000, as appropriated by the Legislature.Funding: $1,000,000Funding: House and Senate funding level of $1,000,000n/aFunding: $1,000,000n/aFunding: $1,000,000Funding: $1,000,000n/aFunding: Approved the full $1,000,000 appropriated by the Legislature https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy21/enacted/housing-and-economic-development/housing-and-community-development/70049007Funding: $1,000,000Funding: House and Senate funding level of $1,000,000
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7004-0104Home and Healthy for Good Program$3,890,000n/an/aFunding: The Governor approved the funding level of $3,890,000, as appropriated by the Legislature.Funding: $3,890,000Funding: House and Senate funding level of $3,890,000Funding: $3,890,000n/aFunding: $3,890,000Funding: $2,890,000; in budget line item summary**, the Administration notes, "Eliminated FY21 one-time costs”n/aFunding: Approved the full $3,890,000 appropriated by the Legislature https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy21/enacted/housing-and-economic-development/housing-and-community-development/70040104Funding: $3,890,000Funding: House and Senate funding level of $3,890,000
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7004-0102Shelter and Services for Adults Experiencing Homelessness$56,425,000Veto overridden by House and Senate. (House vote: 129-30; Senate vote: 37-3)TBDFunding: The Governor approved the funding level of $57,855,000, as appropriated by the Legislature. Language: The Governor vetoed language that would direct the full appropriation to providers contracted to provide services in 2020.Funding: $57,855,000Funding: House funding level of $56,355,000 in direct appropriations, plus House language to carry over up to $1,500,000 in unspent funds from FY21Funding: $53,355,000Funding: $56,355,000 in appropriated direct appropriations, plus language to carry over up to $1,500,000 in unspent funds from FY21; if maximum funds carried over, HWM proposal would exceed the advocacy request of $56.4 millionFunding: $53,355,000n/aFunding: Approved the full $56,425,000 appropriated by the Legislature https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy21/enacted/housing-and-economic-development/housing-and-community-development/70040102Funding: $56,425,000Funding: House funding level of $56,425,000
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7035-0008Transportation for Students Experiencing HomelessnessAt least $14,449,605 (updated)n/an/aFunding: The Governor approved the funding level of $14,449,605, as appropriated by the Legislature.Funding: $14,449,605 Funding: House and Senate funding level of $14,449,605n/aFunding: $14,449,605n/aFunding: $14,449,605Funding: $11,099,500n/aFunding: Approved the full $13,449,605 appropriated by the Legislature https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy21/enacted/education/education-k-12/70350008Funding: $13,449,605Funding: House funding level of $13,449,605
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7004-0202Rapid Rehousing for Individuals$5,000,000n/an/aFunding: The Governor approved the funding level of $5,000,000, as appropriated by the Legislature.Funding: $5,000,000Funding: House and Senate funding level of $5,000,000n/aFunding: $5,000,000 Language: Includes data reporting requirementsFunding: $5,000,000 Language: Includes data reporting requirementsFunding: $4,890,148n/aFunding: Approved the full $5,000,000 appropriated by the Legislature https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy21/enacted/housing-and-economic-development/housing-and-community-development/70040202Funding: $5,000,000Funding: House funding level of $5,000,000
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7004-3045Tenancy Preservation Program (TPP)$1,800,000n/an/aFunding: The Governor approved the funding level of $1,800,000, as appropriated by the Legislature.Funding: $1,800,000Funding: House funding level of $1,800,000Amendment of note: Amendment #837, filed by Senator Hinds, would increase TPP funding to $1,800,000 Outcome: WithdrawnFunding: $1,500,000Funding: $1,800,000Funding: $1,300,000; in budget line item summary**, the Administration notes, "Eliminated FY21 one-time costs”n/aFunding: Approved the full $1,500,000 appropriated by the Legislature https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy21/enacted/housing-and-economic-development/housing-and-community-development/70043045Funding: $1,500,000Funding: House funding level of $1,500,000
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Relevant Outside SectionsThe House and Senate both have taken the first and second steps toward restoring the Legislature's language on EAEDC and TAFDC asset limit changes by rejecting the Governor's outside section amendments and reenacting the original language. The House and Senate also have voted to reject the Governor's amendments to the outside section on establishing a commission on poverty, and reenacted the original language. All three are being sent back to the Governor as individual bills which he can sign or veto. If the Governor vetoes any or all of them, the Legislature can then vote to override the vetoes. Stay tuned!The Coalition asks the Legislature to reject the Governor's amendments on EAEDC and TAFDC asset limits, and to reenact the outside sections as previously enacted by the Legislature.Language: The Governor signed into law Outside Section 46 on EAEDC, and proposed amendments to Outside Section 47 on EAEDC, Outside Section 67 on TAFDC, and Outside Section 128 on creating a commission on poverty. More details from the Governor's amendment letters are below.

EAEDC: “Section 47 requires the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) to eliminate any asset test for Emergency Assistance to Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) applicants. EAEDC extends a vital lifeline to certain Massachusetts residents, but I disagree with eliminating the asset test completely. EAEDC is generally designed to provide a bridge to individuals waiting for an eligibility determination from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. The asset limit for the program should be aligned with eligibility for SSI" (This would be $2,000)

TAFDC: “Section 67 requires the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) to eliminate any asset test for Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) applicants. TAFDC extends a vital lifeline to certain Massachusetts residents, but I disagree with eliminating the current asset test completely. At the same time, it is important that TAFDC recipients have the opportunity to build up assets without losing eligibility for TAFDC.  Therefore, I support reforming the TAFDC asset rule to allow recipients who meet the asset test at the time of application to continue to accrue assets in excess of the current limit without risk of losing eligibility for TAFDC. Other program parameters will ensure that the benefit remains time limited.  Under existing income limits, as soon as a recipient exceeds the applicable income threshold, the recipient will no longer be eligible. Additionally, the TAFDC benefit ends after two continuous years.” 

Commission on Poverty: “Section 128 establishes a special commission to investigate and recommend methods for reducing poverty in the Commonwealth over the next 10-year period.  The commission is tasked with meeting on a quarterly basis and conducting at least two public hearings in advance of filing a report of its findings with the Legislature on or before December 31, 2022. I strongly support the aim of this commission. To ensure that sufficient resources are available to accomplish these important directives, in the coming weeks I will propose $300,000 in funding to support the work of the commission, in the next appropriations bill that I file. Further, to streamline the efforts of the commission and permit the meaningful participation of all members, I am recommending modifications to its composition, retaining the position reserved for the Secretary of Health and Human Services and otherwise removing additional representation from the Executive Branch.”		Language: Includes the sections on eliminating the EAEDC asset limit (Outside Sections 46 and 47) and TAFDC asset limit (Outside Section 67), as well as language to create a Special Commission on Poverty (Outside Section 128)Language: Include the language from these outside sections from the final Senate budget: Outside Sections 48-49, on removing the EAEDC asset limit; Outside Section 69 on removing the TAFDC asset limit; and Outside Section 94 on creating a Special Commission on Poverty "to study ways to promote opportunity, address inequality and reduce poverty in the commonwealth" with several members designated by the Coalition and other allied organizationsSee https://malegislature.gov/Reports/11220/SWM%20Outside%20Sections%20-%20Final.pdf. Includes two sections, Outside Sections 18-19, on removing the EAEDC asset limit, with a note that income generated by assets may be treated as countable income (pages 12-13); Outside Section 32 on removing the TAFDC asset limit, with a note that income generated by assets may be treated as countable income (pages 18-19); and Outside Section 46 on creating a Special Commission on Poverty to study ways to promote opportunity, address inequality and reduce poverty in the commonwealth" with several members designated by the Coalition and other allied organizations (pages 24-25).Legislature rejected the Governor's proposed amendments; House 5181 signed into law on December 31, 2020Language: Governor returned several relevant Outside Sections with amendments, including Outside Sections 79, 80, 103, and 104. See https://www.mass.gov/doc/attachment-e-amendment-letter-sections-79-80-88-and-103/download and https://www.mass.gov/doc/attachment-k-amendment-letter-section-104/download. The Governor's amendments to Outside Sections 79, 80, 88, and 103 are now House Bill 5181: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H5181See Outside Section 79 on Notices to Quit during the coronavirus pandemic; Outside Section 80 on eviction continuances during the pandemic; Outside Section 88 on Eviction Diversion Initiative data; Outside Section 103 on the creation of a task force on the COVID-19 Eviction Diversion Initiative; and Outside Section 104 on creating a website to track the state's uses of federal Coronavirus Relief Funds.Language: Include language from these renumbered Senate Outside Sections: Outside Section 81 on Notices to Quit during the coronavirus pandemic; Outside Section 82 on eviction continuances during the pandemic; Outside Section 83 on Eviction Diversion Initiative data collection, and Outside Section 80 on creating a website to track the state's uses of federal Coronavirus Relief Funds.
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Other Items of NoteLine item 4000-0300: Senate language on closing the SNAP Gap by extending the line item language secured in the FY21 budget, granting more time to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to implement changes that will allow low-income individuals and families to more easily apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Line item 7002-0012: Senate language to target job training resources to LGBTQ youth who are experiencing homelessness and housing insecurityPriority amendments: Amendment #371, filed by Senator Jehlen, would extend the same eviction protections currently provided the CDC eviction moratorium statewide until December 31, 2021. (The CDC moratorium is scheduled to end in June, but has been challenged at the federal level. While the protections still are in place, a judge has temporarily stayed an order to end the protections.) This amendment is especially critical as other COVID-19 resources and protections are slated to end when the Massachusetts state of emergency is lifted. Outcome: Withdrawn Amendment #744, filed by Senator Cyr, would target job training resources from line item 7002-0012 to LGBTQ youth who are experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity Outcome: Adopted (Redrafted version approved as part of "Yes" bundle #4)* Total budget recommendations = $45.6 billion under all categories of spending, which is 0.7% less than the FY21 General Appropriations Act from December 2020n/aLanguage: Approved by the Governor https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy21/enacted/health-and-human-services/health-and-human-services/40000300Language: See line item 4000-0300 language on eliminating the SNAP Gap "provided further, that not later than June 30, 2021, the executive office shall implement changes to allow low-income applicants and recipients of MassHealth and the Medicare Savings Program to initiate an application for federally-funded supplemental nutrition assistance benefits at the same time as their application or renewal for MassHealth or the Medicare Savings Program; provided further, that the executive office shall ensure that relevant eligibility information and verifications provided by the applicant or recipient are transferred from MassHealth to the department of transitional assistance to determine eligibility; provided further, that not later than February 1, 2021, the executive office shall submit a report to the executive office for administration and finance and the house and senate committees on ways and means outlining the additional costs and federal reimbursement opportunities involved in a common application portal for all MassHealth and Medicare Savings Program applicants and recipients whose gross income is not greater than 200 per cent of the federal poverty level;"Language: Include Senate language to eliminate the SNAP Gap; see line item 4000-0300 and Senate Amendment #271 to create a common application for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP) and MassHealth
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** Line item summary: https://budget.digital.mass.gov/govbudget/fy22/line-item/
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*** Governor's budget letter: https://budget.digital.mass.gov/govbudget/fy22/governors-message
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