April 4, 2023

Greetings!

We have an upcoming advocacy opportunity for you! The Joint Committee on Ways and Means will hold its annual public hearing on the state budget this Monday, April 10th, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the State House. Following Governor Healey's release of her annual budget request to the Legislature in March, the Committee is now in the process of writing the House and Senate versions of the fiscal year 2024 state budget. Monday's hearing is a crucial day for stakeholders to gather and share testimony in support of funding solutions to homelessness, housing instability, and poverty across the Commonwealth.

Not available Monday, or unable to travel to Boston? There are still ways for you to join us in advocacy! We encourage you to submit written testimony to Chairs Michlewitz and Rodrigues (more info to come), and look out for any opportunities to participate remotely. We hope you will weigh in with the committee with your thoughts and uplift the Coalition's FY24 budget priorities.

Our top budget priorities include:

  • Increasing funding for the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition Program (RAFT, Line Item 7004-9316) and expanding access to upstream homelessness prevention resources

  • Adequately funding and protecting emergency shelter and service programs for children and families experiencing homelessness and supporting key provisions in the Emergency Assistance program line item (EA, Line Item 7004-0101 and the related administrative account, Line Item 7004-0099)

  • Establishing a bridge subsidy program for older adults facing housing instability while awaiting longer term housing supports

  • Addressing the needs of unaccompanied youth and young adults who are experiencing homelessness by increasing funding to at least $12 million for housing/wraparound support services under the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) youth and young adult homelessness program (Line Item 4000-0007)

  • Increasing funding for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP, Line Item 7004-9024)

  • Increasing funding and providing easy renewals for families participating in the HomeBASE Program (a.k.a. Massachusetts Short-Term Housing Transition Program, Line Item 7004-0108)

You can see our full list of FY24 budget priorities here:


Thanks for your collaboration and your work to prevent and end homelessness!

In solidarity,

Kelly & Julia

Kelly Turley
Associate Director
She/her/hers

Julia Garvey
Community Organizer/Legislative Advocate
She/her/hers

P.S. Stay up to date with the Coalition’s advocacy initiatives by following us on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. (Links also included at the top of this message.)
In-Person Budget Hearing Details:

Monday, April 10th
Beginning at 11 a.m., and likely will run until late afternoon
Massachusetts State House
24 Beacon Street
Gardner Auditorium, basement level
Boston, MA 02133
(Entrance: Beacon Street side)

More information to come on remote participation, submitting written testimony, and watching the livestream of the hearing.