We’ve got some great news to report:
First: $2 million more for Safe Havens! This program provides 24/7 supported shelter for individuals who are chronically unhoused and who have severe, and often co-occurring, mental health and substance use conditions. A huge thanks to Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders for allocating these ARPA funds from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services’ Community-Based Services Account. Similar thanks to our own Senator Jo Comerford for filing the FY22 Safe Havens budget amendment that provided helpful support for the Secretary’s action. It’s too soon to report on the precise timeline and allocation; we will keep you posted.
Second: Governor Baker’s proposed Supplemental Budget, released on August 31, includes $20 million to establish regional low threshold housing for homeless or housing unstable individuals with substance use disorder. This funding would be a game-changer for addressing the housing needs for some of our most vulnerable residents. Next up is House action on this proposal. Again, please stay tuned for how we can weigh in.
Promising news all around, and our advocacy has played a role in getting us this far. Let’s keep it up to turn this promise into reality. It’s working!
