The Massachusetts Senate Ways & Means Committee released its
Fiscal Year 2015 (FY15) Budget today. The budget includes a $200,000 cut that would
completely defund the supportive housing pilot for LGBTQ young adults in the Home & Healthy for Good line item (7004-0104).This cut would result in the loss of housing and services for unaccompanied homeless LGBTQ young adults who are moving into housing this year through the pilot.
MHSA’s pilot program provides permanent supportive housing for LGBTQ young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 in Greater Boston and Western Massachusetts, in partnership with the Youth on Fire program of the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, DIAL/SELF Youth & Community Services, and Justice Resource Institute. This pilot combines the strengths of low-threshold housing with support services that are specifically tailored to the needs of LGBTQ young adults.
Now is the time to voice to the Senate that we are committed to addressing the disproportionate number of LGBTQ youth who are homeless and on the streets of our Commonwealth. Please take a moment to call Senate President Therese Murray and Senate Ways & Means Chairman Stephen Brewer to express your disappointment in their decision to cut this LGBTQ young adult pilot.
