April 8, 2022
Greetings!
You are invited to join the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Massachusetts Public Health Association, Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, Homes for All Massachusetts, and other community leaders, tenants, and advocates for a press conference in front of the State House this Tuesday, April 12th at 10:30 a.m. to challenge the Baker Administration’s dangerous decision to prematurely close access to the federally funded Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).
If the state moves forward with the planned April 15th end date for ERAP applications*, there will be devastating consequences for thousands of families and individuals across the Commonwealth who are facing severe housing instability. At a time when unemployment and underemployment are still widespread in the communities hardest hit by COVID-19, when childcare is still hard to access and more expensive than ever, when inflation is squeezing the pockets of every family, and when housing costs are skyrocketing across the state, we must act urgently to promote housing stability and equity. Fortunately, Massachusetts can allocate needed funds for ERAP and related homelessness prevention initiatives by drawing down a portion of the approximately $2.3 billion available in unspent American Rescue Plan Act funds (ARPA), $4.6 billion in the state’s rainy day fund, and an estimated $650 million in remaining FY22 surplus funds.
We call on the Baker Administration to keep the ERAP application process open. We call on the Legislature to immediately replenish ERAP funds and expand access to the state-funded Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) homelessness prevention program. We must act now to ensure an equitable and safe recovery for Massachusetts residents.
** Please encourage families, individuals, and neighbors experiencing housing instability to apply for ERAP benefits before the April 15th deadline. While RAFT benefits will be available after April 15th, RAFT serves a narrower range of households and currently has a cap of $7,000/household/year. Learn more and start an online application here.**
Action preview: Look for an ERAP sign-on letter action for organizations and individuals next week.
We hope to see you on Tuesday in front of the State House!
In solidarity,
Kelly
Kelly Turley
Associate Director
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.)
