FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: EOHHS Announces $1.9 Million in Statewide Grants to Address Housing Instability
BOSTON – The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) announced today it awarded $865,000 in funding to create eight regional consortiums to provide crisis interventions services to families and individuals facing acute housing instability across the Commonwealth. An additional $1 million will be allocated to develop and implement specialized services for youth under the age of 24 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
“Over the last year, the Baker-Polito Administration has made a commitment to assisting our most vulnerable populations, including homeless families and individuals,” said Secretary Sudders. “We are dedicated to reducing the surging number of families and unaccompanied youth, who are in crisis and seek shelter. Our grant allows us to provide a coordinated response to stabilize housing and reduce homelessness in the Commonwealth.”
Under this grant, the eight chosen lead organizations are tasked with creating and assembling the regional Consortiums, which will develop a coordinated entry system, provide flexible funding for prevention and diversion services, and ensure the Commonwealth’s vulnerable homeless populations have timely and appropriate access to intervention within their local communities. Each regional consortium is required to have representation from housing organizations, service agencies, and other entities providing support to recent and chronic homeless individuals, with a special emphasis on homeless youth.
“Our comprehensive Request for Response process identified committed organizations prepared to lead and address the issue of homelessness,” said Linn Torto, Executive Director of Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness (ICHH). “They are qualified to administer good supports within their regions. We are very pleased with the number of solid proposals received, and have recommended moving forward with all the respondents to broaden our reach of services.”
In December 2015, the EOHHS issued a Request for Responses (RFR) soliciting proposals from community-based organizations to establish local Consortiums. EOHHS has awarded contracts to eight organizations that collectively provide statewide coverage, representing urban, rural and suburban communities. In addition, each response included a request for funding to address the unique needs of you experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness in their region.
| Lead Organizations | Location | Allocated Consortium Funds | Allocated Youth Services Funds |
| Catholic Social Services | Fall River | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, Inc. | Worcester | $90,000 | $150,,000 |
| Community Action | Greenfield | $125,000 | $150,000 |
| City of Springfield | Springfield | $125,000 | $150,000 |
| Community Teamwork | Lowell | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development | Lynn | $125,000 | $150,000 |
| South Middlesex Opportunity Council | Framingham | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| United Way of Mass Bay | Boston | $100,000 | $100,000 |
