Thanks to you all for your advocacy with the Senate’s Supplemental Budget. Here are the 3 Amendments that passed:
PASSED: Amendment #15 from Senator Keenan would restore the RAFT cap to $10,000/household/year from $7,000/household/year.
PASSED: Amendment #18 from Senator Keenan would improve tracking and reporting of rental assistance application data, outcomes, and demographics.
PASSED: Amendment #9 from Senator Jehlen would close “non-payment” loopholes in Chapter 257 so that more households could benefit from Chapter 257 protections.
The other amendments were either rejected or withdrawn; details are summarized here (with thanks to the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless).
Next Steps:
Now the House and Senate will work out differences between their respective versions of the supplemental budget. Please reach out to your State Representative and Senator today to thank them for their support thus far and ask for their strong and active support to ensure that the final supplemental budget includes the Senate language on:
- Strengthening emergency rental assistance resources under the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition program (RAFT, line item 7004-9316) by restoring the RAFT cap to $10,000/household/year from $7,000/household/year
- Closing “non-payment” loopholes in Chapter 257 so that more households can benefit from Chapter 257 eviction protections
- Improving tracking and reporting of rental assistance application data, outcomes, and demographics
You can find out who your Representative and Senator are and how to contact them by going to www.wheredoivotema.com or calling the State House switchboard at 617-722-2000.
Here is a sample script:
“My name is {name}. I live at {address} in {city/town}. As a constituent, I am asking the {Representative/Senator} to weigh in with Legislative Leadership to actively support key provisions in the pending supplemental budget to restore emergency rental assistance benefit levels and strengthen homelessness prevention efforts, including Senate language on:
- Restoring the RAFT cap to $10,000/household/year from $7,000/household/year
- Closing “non-payment” loopholes in Chapter 257 so that more households can benefit from Chapter 257 eviction protections
- Improving tracking and reporting of rental assistance application data, outcomes, and demographics
These language changes will help promote housing stability for families and individuals across the Commonwealth. Thank you!”
Thank you again for your advocacy!
