Please see the action alert below from the Mass. Coalition for the Homeless. Governor Baker has vetoed the long-sought funding for housing and support services for unaccompanied homeless youth, as well as the recommended additional funding for MRVPs.
Please contact your legislators to ask them to override these vetoes. Let’s get our Western MA voices heard!
From the MA Coalition for the Homeless:
This afternoon, Governor Charlie Baker signed the FY’16 state budget into law, while also issuing numerous vetoes (veto letter and vetoes) and a request for supplemental funds to close out FY’15.
Disappointingly, among those vetoes were the $2 million for housing and services for unaccompanied youth in a brand new line item, 4000-0007, as well as $3 million of the recommended funding of $90.9 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP). While the overall budget includes much for which to be grateful, we cannot rest while these vetoes stand– because people without homes cannot safely rest!
As early as next week, the Legislature will take up veto overrides to restore some of the funding and language to the final budget. In order to do this, both the House and Senate must vote with a two-thirds majority to override a veto. Help us ensure that youth without homes do not lose their chance to access much-needed housing and services, and that the MRVP program has as much funding as possible to provide housing to families, youth, and adults who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity! Please pick up the phone today to call your State Representative and State Senator.
For insights into how meaningful the youth homelessness funding will be to youth, please read these two powerful blog posts by Synthia Kennedy (“We are not the enemy. We are houseless, not homeless”)and Ayala Livny (“The things that matter”), two of our strong allies in the multi-year Youth Without Homes Can’t Wait campaign.
Legislators can be reached via the State House switchboard (617-722-2000) or directly through the links listed here.
Help us keep hope and progress alive!
