Last Friday, July 19, the House and the Senate adopted an FY25 budget which includes $2.5 million to launch a statewide Access to Counsel pilot program. Over 240 organizations worked to advance this initiative, including the Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness.
YOUR advocacy made a difference! So, too, did the support of so many in our Western MA legislative delegation who championed this proposal. We are extremely grateful for the partnership that made this possible!
The budget now heads to Governor Healey to approve. As Governor Healey originally included a dedicated line-item for an Access to Counsel in her proposed FY25 budget, we are optimistic that she will approve this. But let’s be sure to help seal the deal with a quick email to a few key people:
Dear Governor Healey:
We thank you for including a dedicated line-item for Access to Counsel in your proposed FY25 budget, and now urge you to support $2.5 million in the final FY25 budget to launch a statewide Access to Counsel pilot program (H.4800, Line Item 0321-1800). This is a tremendous step to building a sustainable statewide program that addresses the inequity of legal representation for tenants in evictions and will lead to housing stability.
Email the Governor at: Maura.Healey@mass.gov
With a copy to: Kim.Driscoll@mass.gov, Matthew.Gorzkowicz@mass.gov, Kate.R.Cook@mass.gov
