Thanks to CHAPA for this update below:
FY2020 Supplemental Budget Update
On June 22, the Massachusetts House Committee on Ways and Means released a $1.1 billion COVID-19 response supplemental budget for FY2020 (H.4802). Governor Baker had filed the original bill on May 12th. The Ways & Means bill directs millions in funding to critical programs to support affordable and public housing, emergency rental assistance, emergency shelter, and homelessness prevention.
The legislation also expands Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) and creates a COVID-19 response program, with expanded benefits for households impacted by the virus. H.4802 also authorizes any unexpended funds from the current fiscal year, which ends on June 20, to continue into the next fiscal year for rental assistance programs and the family emergency shelter system. This will allow these programs do keep millions of dollars in funding. Click here for a full summary of H.4802.
Specifically, H.4802 directs:
- $13.5 million for local housing authorities (7004-9005)
- $2.5 million for family and individual shelters (7004-0101 & 7004-0102)
- $85 million for field hospitals and shelters
- $8 million for family and individual shelters (7004-0101 & 7004-0102)
- $20 million for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) (7004-9316) to support a COVID-19 RAFT Response (CRR) program. The CRR program:
- Allows households to receive up to $10,000 in assistance
- Directs 33% of CRR funds to extremely low-income households
- Directs 50% of funds to be prioritized to those families most likely to require family shelter services (7004-0101)
- $1.5 million for Housing Consumer Education Centers (7004-3036)
- $5.8 million for Permanent Supportive Housing (7004-0104)
- $1 million for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (4000-0007)
H.4802 allows unexpended funds from FY2020 to carry over into FY2021 for:
- Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) (7004-9024)
- Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) (7004-9030)
- Emergency Assistance – Family Shelters (7004-0101)
The Massachusetts House is expected to take up H.4802 again on Wednesday, June 24. The State Senate has also expressed support for the supplemental budget and will likely act on the bill quickly following the House.
FY2021 Interim Budget Update:
Governor Baker filed a $5.25 billion interim budget for FY2021 (H.4806) on June 22nd to maintain the necessary services through July 31, 2020.
