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MCH
Support Families Experiencing Homelessness and Protect the Right to Shelter
Posted October 24, 2023; last updated December 4, 2023 Supplemental budget update: On November 30th, House and Senate leadership...
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Protect Access to Emergency Assistance Family Shelter
Learn more about our advocacy to protect and improve the Commonwealth's Emergency Assistance (EA) family shelter program, a state-funded program that provides emergency shelter, rehousing supports, and other resources to eligible families with children under the age of 21 and/or a pregnant household member
#HousingisaHumanRight
#EndHomelessnessMA
Join Us to Protect Families’ Access to Shelter
On July 23rd, Governor Healey announced new policies that will prioritize certain children and families for Emergency Assistance (EA) shelter and force other families to choose: stay 5 days in a temporary overflow shelter and then become ineligible for EA shelter for 6 months, or remain on the EA waiting list even if they have nowhere else to go. These policies went into effect on August 1st and will leave many children and families awaiting EA shelter placement with no safe place to sleep at night.
Join us in person and online for more actions to protect the right to shelter:
Upcoming Actions:
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Tuesday, November 12th, 10:00–11:30 a.m., at the Massachusetts State House in Room 157 or on Zoom, to monitor the next meeting of the state's Special Commission on Emergency Housing Assistance Programs
Recent Actions:
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Tuesday, October 15th:
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Monitoring action: 1:00–2:30 p.m. in Room 157 of the State House (or on Zoom) at the next meeting of the state’s Special Commission on Emergency Housing Assistance Programs
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Visibility action: We will start the hour in front of Governor Healey's office on the third floor and end the hour with a procession past key rooms on that floor, including the House Chamber, Senate Chamber, office of the Senate President, and office of the House Speaker.
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Monday, September 16th:
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Rally: 4:30–5:30 p.m. on the Boston Common at the Embrace Memorial and the 1965 Freedom Plaza
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Guest speakers will include Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and Reverend Mariama White-Hammond of New Roots AME Church, Dorchester.
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Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CP2ho4SY5RmZjy6V9
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Monitoring action: 1:00–2:30 p.m. in Room 157 of the State House (or on Zoom) at the next meeting of the state’s Special Commission on Emergency Housing Assistance Programs
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Thursday, September 5th: State House action, 12:30–1:30 p.m.
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We will start the hour in front of Governor Healey's office on the third floor and end the hour with a procession past key rooms on that floor, including the House Chamber, Senate Chamber, office of the Senate President, and office of the House Speaker.
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Tuesday, August 20th: Virtual action hour online, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
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Monday, August 19th:
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Visibility action: 12:00–1:00 p.m. in front of the McCormack Building, 1 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108 before the next convening of the Special Commission on Emergency Housing Assistance Programs
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Monitoring action: 1:00–2:30 p.m. inside the McCormack Building, 1 Ashburton Place, 21st Floor, Boston, MA 02108 (or on Zoom) at the next meeting of the state’s Special Commission on Emergency Housing Assistance Programs
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Wednesday, August 14th: Candlelight vigil in front of the State House, 7:00–8:00 p.m.
Recent and Upcoming Advocacy Opportunities:
Learn more about the Emergency Assistance Family Shelter Program
Are you an advocate, case manager, or social worker interested in learning more about the Massachusetts Emergency Assistance Family Shelter Program? Click here to access the comprehensive guide on Emergency Shelter and Rehousing Services for Families with Children Experiencing Homelessness in Massachusetts.
Take action with MCH Today!
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