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Thanks to One Family for this Senate budget summary.

  Senate Finalizes Budget Proposal

On Friday, May 25th the Massachusetts State Senate passed its Fiscal Year 2013 budget.  Overall funding for family homelessness and affordable housing programs did relatively well in the Senate budget.  During the budget debate Senators advocating to amend the Senate Ways and Means (SWM) Emergency Assistance language were able to reach a compromise with SWM.   This enabled members to pass a compromise amendment that expands shelter eligibility beyond that of the House 2, House and SWM language, but maintains language that prioritizes shelter for those families most in need, and incentivizes families to exit shelter within 32 weeks of entry.  Click here to access the Senate EA language.  Unfortunately, this amendment does not provide the needed funding to support this expanded eligibility.

Senators maintained their commitment to funding affordable housing and homelessness prevention by implementing increases in RAFT, MRVP and HomeBASE beyond the FY 12 levels. One Family was disappointed that an amendment to fund the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness was not passed, nor were key funding increases to public housing and Home and Healthy for Good.

Overall, we greatly appreciate o the leadership demonstrated by Senate Ways and Means and Senate Members by making investments in key affordable housing programs.  We look forward to working with members of the Conference Committee to put forward the best options for homeless families in the final FY 13 state budget.