Explore how the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless is advocating for key bills and budget priorities. Join our efforts to create impactful changes in homelessness, housing, and benefit policy statewide. 2023-2024 Legislative Session Bill Priorities (January 2023–December 2024) 2023-2024 Legislative Session Bill Priorities (January 2023–December 2024) 2023-2024 bill priority overview fact sheet 2023-2024 bill priority chart Overall bill (and budget) endorsement form Strengthening the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program: Bill fact sheet , organizational endorsement form , and RAFT talking points for testimony Related resource: RAFT FY25 Administrative Plan & Scope of Services from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (July 2024) Expanding access to Mass. IDs for youth and adults experiencing homelessness: Bill fact sheet , organizational endorsement form , and testimonial statements Improving the Emergency Assistance family shelter and services program: Bill fact sheet and organizational endorsement form Establishing a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness: Bill fact sheet and organizational endorsement form Codifying and strengthening the HomeBASE rehousing program: Bill fact sheet and organizational endorsement form Improving the Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC) cash assistance program: Bill fact sheet and organizational endorsement form Passing a strong Housing Bond Bill (the Affordable Homes Act, House Bill) and providing bridge subsidies to promote housing stability for low-income older adults: Bill text and status updates for House Bill 4138 Bridge subsidy bond bill fact sheet MCH testimony in support of the bill (January 2024 Making Chapter 257 eviction protections permanent: House bill text and status updates, Senate bill text and status updates , and testimony to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary (May 2023) Related update: The Legislature’s final FY24 budget includes an outside section, Outside Section 64, which would restore the Chapter 257 eviction protections that expired on March 31, 2023 and make the protections permanent. Governor Healey signed the language into law on August 9, 2023, so the protections are back in effect! Expanding access to legal counsel in eviction proceedings: Bill fact sheet Building in affordability requirements in the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP): Bill text and status updates for House Bill 1300 , Senate Bill 870 , and Senate Bill 863 plus MCH testimony in support of the bills (July 2023) Establishing a housing secretariat: Bill text and status updates for House Bill 43 and MCH testimony in support of the bill (March 2023) Join Us in Uplifting Key Bill and Budget Priorities Support Our Efforts to Address Homelessness and Empower Communities! Recent Budget Priorities: Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Priorities FY25 budget priority overview fact sheet FY25 budget priority tracking chart Governor Healey’s FY25 budget recommendations, known as the House 2 budget (H.2), released on January 24, 2024 Overview of key FY25 budget amendments: Senate amendments, May 2024 Fact sheet on Senate Amendment #603 , “Clarifying Time Limit Implementation Date for Family Shelter,” from Senator Payano (May 2024) House amendments, April 2024 Launching a bridge subsidy program to promote housing stability for low-income older adults (Line Item 9110-XXXX, new line item under the Executive Office of Elder Affairs): Budget fact sheet See the related housing bond bill fact sheet linked above. Increasing cash assistance benefits for older adults, people with disabilities, and families with children participating in the Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children program (EAEDC, line item 4408-1000) and the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children program (TAFDC, line item 4403-2000): Lift Our Kids Campaign budget fact sheet Permanently establish and improve the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) homelessness prevention program Lead Sponsors: Representative Marjorie Decker and Senator Brendan Crighton Bill Name: An Act providing upstream homelessness prevention assistance to families, youth, and adults Bill Numbers: House Docket 2053/Senate Docket 1162 Bill Fact Sheet (PDF) Organizational Endorsement Form: tinyurl.com/raft2526 Description: This bill would put the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) homelessness prevention program into state statute and ensure that benefits are available to families and individuals earlier in a housing or utility crisis ("upstream", before a household has received a notice to quit or utility shut-off notice). The bill also seeks to streamline access, improve cross-agency collaboration, and allow households to receive up to twelve months of assistance, without arbitrary dollar caps. (The current cap is $7,000/family/year, regardless of household size or rent burden). In addition, the bill would require theExecutive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to publicly post reports on RAFT to increase transparency on how the program is operating and provide greater understanding of the families and individuals seeking RAFT assistance: how they are being referred, how many apply, how many are approved, how many are denied, what are their demographics, what are their rent and mortgage levels, what RAFT benefits they receive, and what is the housing status of participant households 6, 12, and 24 months after receiving financial assistance or services from RAFT. Ease access to standard Massachusetts ID cards for people experiencing homelessness by eliminating the $25 fee and allowing alternative ways to verify Massachusetts residency without requiring a permanent address Lead Sponsors: Representative Jim O’Day/Representative Sean Garballey and Senator Robyn Kennedy Bill Name: An Act to provide identification to youth and adults experiencing homelessness Bill Numbers: House Docket 1085/Senate Docket 1712 Bill Fact Sheet (PDF) Organizational Endorsement Form: tinyurl.com/massid2526 Description: The Mass ID access bill (a.k.a. Everyone Needs ID bill) would ease access to Mass IDs for people experiencing homelessness by waiving the $25 fee for IDs and easing the verification requirements for youth and adults who are unhoused and seeking IDs. The bill would apply to standard Mass IDs, not REAL ID Act-compliant Mass IDs, for which residents must provide additional verifications that meet federal standards. The Senate has unanimously passed versions of this bill in each of the past four sessions. Expand access to bridge subsidies for older adults across the Commonwealth who are experiencing housing instability Lead Sponsors: Representative Shirley Arriaga and Senator Pat Jehlen Bill Name: An Act promoting housing stability for older adults across the Commonwealth Bill Numbers: House Docket 359/Senate Docket 1357 Bill Flyer (PDF) Description: This bill would expand the bridge subsidy program for low-income older adults, aged 60years and older, facing housing instability. A version of the program currently is funded as a pilot in the City of Somerville. The program would allow eligible older adults to remain in place while they await approval for long-term subsidized housing through programs such as the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) and state-funded public housing. The bill also would create a steering committee to help guide the expansion of the bridge subsidy program. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities would lead the steering committee, which would include key stakeholders such as older adults with lived experience of housing instability, providers, advocates, legislators, and a representative from the Executive Office of Aging and Independence. Ease access to the Emergency Assistance program (EA) and to create an ombudsperson unit to assist families applying for and participating in EA and HomeBASE Lead Sponsors: Representative Marjorie Decker and Senator Adam Gomez Bill Name: An Act improving emergency housing assistance for children and families experiencing homelessness Bill Numbers: House Docket 4123/Senate Docket 2347 Description: This omnibus legislation would address access and administrative issues for families and children applying for or participating in the Emergency Assistance (EA) shelter program, temporary respite center program, and HomeBASE rehousing program. It would allow families who appear to be imminently at risk of homelessness to gain admission into EA shelter. It also would prohibit the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) from turning families away due to lack of documentation and would mandate EOHLC to look in existing state benefits databases to obtain requested documentation instead of delaying applications by requiring families to provide such documentation directly. In addition, the bill would require EOHLC to provide 90 days’ notice to the Legislature, program participants, and the public before altering program benefits or eligibility that would not benefit families. The bill also would officially establish an independent ombudsperson unit located within EOHLC to mediate between EA and HomeBASE applicants/participants and EOHLC. Establish a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness Lead Sponsors: Representative Frank Moran and Senator Adam Gomez Bill Name: An Act establishing a bill of rights for individuals experiencing homelessness/An Act providing a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness Bill Numbers: House Docket 211/Senate Docket 944 Description: This bill would recognize and affirm various rights of people experiencing homelessness, such as the right to move freely in public spaces, the right to confidentiality of records, the right to privacy of property, and the right to register to vote and to vote. The bill would provide additional civil rights protections for people experiencing homelessness. The bill would affirm the right to rest, eat, pray, and be in public spaces by amending the Commonwealth's public spaces laws, amend the Commonwealth's voting laws to affirm the right to vote and register to vote without a permanent address, amend the Commonwealth's antidiscrimination laws to include housing status, and repeal archaic sections of Massachusetts General Laws regarding so-called "tramps," "vagrants," and "vagabonds." The bill would give the Superior Court jurisdiction to enforce the rights included in the legislation. Permanently establish and improve the HomeBASE family rehousing program Lead Sponsors: Representative Christine Barber and Senator Liz Miranda Bill Name: An Act promoting housing stability for families by strengthening the HomeBASE program Bill Numbers: House Docket 1042/Senate Docket 2190 Description: This bill would put the HomeBASE program into state statute, direct the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to provide renewals of HomeBASE rental assistance to families and children who otherwise would be facing a return to homelessness, allow families to access HomeBASE upstream to maintain existing housing if they otherwise would be eligible for the Emergency Assistance family shelter program, and increase the maximum benefit levels to $50,000 over the first 24 months of the program and up to $25,000 in subsequent years for families needing additional time in the program. Improve the Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children program (EAEDC) Lead Sponsors: Representative Jim O'Day and Senator Pat Jehlen Bill Name: An Act relative to assisting elders and people with disabilities in the Commonwealth Bill Numbers: House Docket 1141/ Senate Docket 1173 Description: This bill would improve the Department of Transitional Assistance’s (DTA’s) Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children program by ensuring that grants for participants experiencing homelessness are at the same level as the benefits for peers who have housing (putting the 2018 removal of the EAEDC homelessness penalty into statute), providing an annual cost of living adjustment for older adults and people with disabilities who are participating in EAEDC, and increasing grant levels to match the benefits provided under DTA’s Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children program (TAFDC). Allow cities and towns to stabilize rents and protect tenants Lead Sponsors: Representative Dave Rogers/Representative Sam Montaño and Senator Pat Jehlen Bill Name: An Act enabling cities and towns to stabilize rents and protect tenants Bill Numbers: House Docket 2501 and Senate Docket 1084 Description: This bill would remove the statewide ban on rent control and establish a local option for cities and towns to regulate rents. If passed, cities and towns opting in would be able to limit annual rent increases and limit no fault evictions for certain dwelling units. The bill would limit annual rent increases for covered dwelling units to the change in the Consumer Price Index or 5%, whichever is lower. Fiscal Year 2026 State Budget Priorities (July 2025–June 2026) FY26 budget priority overview (PDF) and FY26 budget chart (Shareable link to chart: https://tinyurl.com/mchfy26 ) Learn more about our FY26 budget campaign to expand access to bridge subsidies for older adults facing housing instability: Bridge subsidy budget campaign flyer (PDF) Check back soon for more details on our FY26 budget priorities. Fiscal Year 2025 Family Homelessness Supplemental Budget Advocacy Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/senate-ea-supp MCH Mar 5 1 min read 23 views Post not marked as liked Previous Bill and Budget Priorities Fiscal Year 2024 General Appropriations Act Budget Priorities FY24 budget priority overview fact sheet FY24 budget priority chart Overall budget (and bill) organizational endorsement form Budget requests submitted to the FY24 budget Conference Committee (June 2023) FY24 Senate amendment overview sheet (May 2023) FY24 budget testimony submitted by the Coalition to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means (April 2023) Launching a bridge subsidy program to promote housing stability for low-income older adults (Line Item 9110-XXXX, new line item under the Executive Office of Elder Affairs): Budget fact sheet and organizational endorsement form Strengthening the HomeBASE rehousing program (Line Item 7004-9316): Budget overview and organizational endorsement form Improving the Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children cash assistance program (EAEDC, Line Item 4408-1000): Budget overview and organizational endorsement form Fiscal Year 2024 Supplemental Budget Priorities Adequately fund the Emergency Assistance family shelter program (Line Item 7004-0101) to provide traditional shelter or overflow shelter spaces to all eligible children and families (not capped at 7,500 families.) The Administration has told the Legislature that they need $225 million in supplemental funding for FY24 to continue to serve 7,500 families in shelters and hotels and to provide overflow shelter spaces to some of the families who have been approved for shelter but have been placed on a waiting list: $215 million directly for the EA program and $10 million for wraparound services. See Governor Healey’s related FY24 supplemental budget request, House Bill 4284 , released on January 24, 2024. It focuses on the Emergency Assistance family shelter program and housing and homelessness issues more broadly. Find details about the FY24 supplemental budget (signed into law on April 30, 2024) and the FY23 closeout budget (signed into law on December 4, 2023) in this supplemental budget comparison spreadsheet Take action with MCH Today! Take action today to ease access to Massachusetts ID cards for people experiencing homelessness! Published August 22, 2023; last updated September 6, 2024 MCH Sep 6, 2024 1 min read 618 views 2 likes. Post not marked as liked 2 Protect Families' Access to State-Funded Shelter and Supports On July 23rd, Governor Healey announced new policies that will prioritize certain children and families for Emergency Assistance (EA)... MCH Aug 16, 2024 1 min read 1,265 views 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 2025-2026 Legislative Session Bill Priorities (January 2025–December 2026) 2025–2026 bill priority overview (PDF) and bill tracking chart Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Priorities FY25 budget priority overview fact sheet FY25 budget priority tracking chart Governor Healey’s FY25 budget recommendations, known as the... MCH Mar 5 1 min read 15 Post not marked as liked Fiscal Year 2024 General Appropriations Act Budget Priorities Fiscal Year 2024 General Appropriations Act Budget Priorities FY24 budget priority overview fact sheet FY24 budget priority chart Overall... MCH Mar 5 1 min read 2 Post not marked as liked Fiscal Year 2024 Supplemental Budget Priorities Adequately fund the Emergency Assistance family shelter program (Line Item 7004-0101) to provide traditional shelter or overflow shelter... MCH Mar 5 1 min read 1 Post not marked as liked 2023-2024 Legislative Session Bill Priorities January 2023–December 2024 2023-2024 bill priority overview fact sheet 2023-2024 bill priority chart Overall bill (and budget)... MCH Mar 5 2 min read 8 Post not marked as liked

Help end homelessness in Massachusetts. Join the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless by donating, volunteering, or advocating for change. Your support can make a difference. Since 1981, the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless has been committed to ensuring everyone has a place to call home. Upgrade to remove watermark www.marketpushapps.com www.marketpushapps.com 19,141 People Experiencing Homelessness in MA 7000+ Families Experiencing Homelessness in MA $2500 Average Cost of Rent for a Two-bedroom Apartment in MA 700000+ People in MA are Currently Living in Poverty Join us for Legislative Action Day 2025 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 Providing brand new beds to low-income children throughout Massachusetts, ensuring they have a safe and comfortable place to sleep. A Bed for Every Child Initiative Go LEARN MORE Birth to Big Kid Initiative Working with expectant mothers living in poverty to teach safe sleep education and providing resources until their infants become toddlers. Go LEARN MORE The Casa Project Offering a one-stop comprehensive resource service and supporting families and individuals facing housing instability, displacement, and homelessness. Go LEARN MORE A Bed for Every Child Providing low-income children with brand new beds of their own all across Massachusetts. Providing low-income children with brand new beds of their own all across Massachusetts. A Bed for Every Child Advocating to for housing, benefits, and assistance for underserved populations throughout Massachusetts. Systemic Change Go LEARN MORE With Gratitude to Our Valued Sponsors 2023 Impact Report Acknowledging those who help the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless make an impact in communities across the Commonwealth. Your sustaining donation is a lifeline for those facing poverty. Join us in breaking the cycle and building brighter futures for individuals and families across the state. The mission of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless is to create lasting solutions preventing and ending homelessness in all parts of the Commonwealth.  2024 Annual Appeal

Join us for Legislative Action Day, hosted by the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. Collaborate with advocates, legislators, and community leaders to develop and promote legislative solutions to homelessness. Your voice and action can help shape a better future for those in need. Legislative Action Day We hope you will join us for the Coalition’s next Legislative Action Day (LAD) at the Massachusetts State House. Our annual LAD event brings together community members, advocates, providers, and legislators to take action to address and end homelessness across the Commonwealth. In the morning, participants will hear from powerful speakers who will share their lived experiences and insights on key budget and bill priorities related to housing, homelessness prevention, cash assistance, and safety net benefits. In the afternoon, participants will meet with legislators and staff members to advocate for investments and policy changes to ensure everyone in Massachusetts has a safe and permanent place to call home. We invite you to join us for our next Legislative Action Day. Sponsored by Representative Jim O'Day When Monday, April 7, 2025 RSVP You can RSVP for our 2025 Legislative Action Day by filling out our online registration form here or by contacting Julia at julia @ mahomeless.org. Can't make it? Join our alert list to get the invite, training materials and advocacy opportunities. Sign up today! What to expect? During the event, we will focus on the Coalition’s current legislative (bill) priorities and fiscal year budget priorities. Here is our anticipated agenda for the day (PDF, updated April 4th). Read about our 2025-2026 bill priorities and Fiscal Year 2026 budget priorities here . As a key part of the event you will also be encouraged to meet virtually or in-person with legislative offices. During the registration process, MCH will ask if you need help setting up meetings with your legislators, and if so, we will work to set up appointments for you. You are provided with a training and materials to share with the legislators and staff and during the meetings, you pick a few of our priorities we spoke about in the morning session that are most important to you and let legislators and staff know why. Here are some other tips for meeting with legislators and State House staff. After your meetings with legislators and legislative staff members, please let us know what you discussed and share any feedback by completing our legislative visit response form by using the online version or downloadable version (PDF) of the form. Take action Today! How can you help make this event a success? Volunteer to Be Part of the LAD Event Team Interested in being a Legislative Action Day volunteer? Sign up today to be part of our LAD event team! (Shareable link: https://tinyurl.com/lad25vol ) Spread the Word Help spread the word by sharing the link to this page: https://tinyurl.com/mchlad25 . Invite your friends, colleagues, community members, and state legislators by sharing the event invitation and flyer . (PDF) Unsure who your legislators are? If you have an address, enter it in this tool from the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office . Join Us for the Pre-Event Information Sessions and Training Leading up to Legislative Action Day 2025, we are hosting three information sessions and a pre-event training. Do you want to learn more before signing up for Legislative Action Day 2025? The online information sessions will provide opportunities to learn more about the Coalition's work, Legislative Action Day, and our top legislative priorities. The sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, March 18th; Friday, March 21st; and Tuesday, March 25th. See more details and sign up here to join us for an info session . (Shareable link: https://tinyurl.com/lad2025info ) Already signed up for LAD 2025? The pre-event training will include an overview of our Legislative Action Day agenda, helpful hints about meeting with legislators and legislative aides, a review and discussion of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless budget and bill priorities, and a question and answer session. The training is scheduled for Tuesday, April 1st. See more details and sign up here for the pre-event training . (Shareable link: https://tinyurl.com/lad25training ) Check out the pre-event training agenda and slides (PDF). For more information, please contact Kelly or Julia: kelly @ mahomeless. org and julia @ mahomeless. org (without spaces). Thank you! Interested in sharing your story and expertise to advocate for change? We are actively seeking speakers with lived experiences of homelessness, housing instability, and/or participation in state-funded benefit programs issues to be part of Legislative Action Day, legislative briefings, and other advocacy events. Your story and expertise can help shape public policy and make change. Connect with us and learn more today! CONTACT Our hearts are filled with gratitude for all of your support for our March 7th Legislative Action Day at the State House! Thank you to all the attendees for joining us in the fight to end homelessness. We had 200 people with us: families, youth, and adults with lived experience of homelessness, providers, advocates, and legislators all speaking up for solutions to homelessness, housing instability, and poverty, and taking action to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY SPEAKERS! We are SO incredibly grateful for advocates, people with lived experience of housing instability and homelessness, and our nonprofit partners who shared their stories and remarks on the importance of addressing housing and homelessness issues NOW. Read Kelly & Julia's heartfelt THANK YOU letter to all involved LEARN MORE Learn more about the legislative process and advocacy opportunities by watching MCH's online Legislative Advocacy 101 Training Video LEARN MORE No amount is too small when it comes to making a difference. Support MCH's work by donating today! Take action today to ease access to Massachusetts ID cards for people experiencing homelessness! Published August 22, 2023; last updated September 6, 2024 MCH Sep 6, 2024 1 min read 607 views 2 likes. Post not marked as liked 2 Protect Families' Access to State-Funded Shelter and Supports On July 23rd, Governor Healey announced new policies that will prioritize certain children and families for Emergency Assistance (EA)... MCH Aug 16, 2024 1 min read 1,257 views 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1

Help end and prevent family homelessness in Massachusetts. Join the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless as we take action to ensure everyone has a place to call home. 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 Since November 2023, Governor Healey and the Legislature have taken steps to reduce access to shelter for children and families experiencing homelessness, moving away from the state's 40-year history of honoring the right to shelter for families. Take action with us to restore the right to shelter and improve access to upstream homelessness prevention resources and long-term deeply affordable housing. Take Action Today! Recent and Upcoming Advocacy Opportunities: Join us in person and online for more actions to protect the right to shelter: Upcoming Actions: Check back soon or join our mailing list by clicking here Recent Actions: Wednesday, February 12th: Please join us in asking State Senators to swiftly provide supplemental funding for Emergency Assistance (EA) shelter and to adopt key budget amendments on access to Emergency Assistance (EA) shelter and temporary respite centers. Learn more about key Senate amendments here: https://tinyurl.com/senate-ea-supp Call-in day to State Senators, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Visibility action at the State House, 10:30–11:30 a.m. We will meet in front of the Senate Chamber on the 3rd Floor. RSVP to let us know you can join us: https://tinyurl.com/ea-event-rsvp Thursday, February 6th: Visibility action at the State House 10:30–11:30 a.m. to call on the Legislature to swiftly provide needed supplemental funding for shelter and services for children and parents experiencing homelessness and to reject the Governor's proposals to further limit access to Emergency Assistance (EA) shelter. We also will be asking Representatives to cosponsor and actively support key supplemental budget amendments, which are scheduled to be voted on that day. Learn more about key House amendments here: https://tinyurl.com/house-ea-supp Monday, February 3rd–Thursday, February 6th: Call-in days to state legislators, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. each day, asking them to swiftly provide supplemental funding for Emergency Assistance shelter and to reject the Governor's proposals to further limit access to EA. Call script and details: https://www.mahomeless.org/_files/ugd/6c63ec_e38e87e26977473cb9f80dddb5ff46bd.pdf Thursday, January 16th: "The People's State of the Commonwealth: Spotlight on Family Homelessness" action: 12:00–1:00 p.m. in front of the Massachusetts State House Call-in day to legislators: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Call script and more details Tuesday, November 12th: Monitoring the next meeting of the state's Special Commission on Emergency Housing Assistance Programs, 10:00–11:30 a.m. at the Massachusetts State House in Room 157 or on Zoom: Agenda, meeting details, and Zoom link Tuesday, October 15th: 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 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. Monday, September 16th: Rally: 4:30–5:30 p.m. on the Boston Common at the Embrace Memorial and the 1965 Freedom Plaza Guest speakers will include Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and Reverend Mariama White-Hammond of New Roots AME Church, Dorchester. Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CP2ho4SY5RmZjy6V9 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 Agenda, meeting details, and Zoom link Thursday, September 5th: State House action, 12:30–1:30 p.m. 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. Tuesday, August 20th: Virtual action hour online, 12:00–1:00 p.m. Monday, August 19th: 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 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 Agenda, meeting details, and Zoom link Wednesday, August 14th: Candlelight vigil in front of the State House, 7:00–8:00 p.m. Learn more about the Emergency Assistance Family Shelter Program Emergency Assistance (EA) program information from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) Emergency Assistance biweekly reports and other data from EOHLC Family homelessness, Emergency Assistance, and overflow shelters in the news November 2024 recommendations from the Coalition to the state's Special Commission on Emergency Housing Assistance Programs November 2023 recommendations from the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association, and the Moving Beyond the Emergency Working Group to the Administration and Legislature 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. View Advocacy Guide Take action with MCH Today! Take action today to ease access to Massachusetts ID cards for people experiencing homelessness! Published August 22, 2023; last updated September 6, 2024 MCH Sep 6, 2024 1 min read 607 views 2 likes. Post not marked as liked 2 Protect Families' Access to State-Funded Shelter and Supports On July 23rd, Governor Healey announced new policies that will prioritize certain children and families for Emergency Assistance (EA)... MCH Aug 16, 2024 1 min read 1,257 views 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1

Help end homelessness in Massachusetts. Join the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless by donating, volunteering, or advocating for change. Your support can make a difference.

Get in touch with the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless via our online contact form. Contact us for questions about donations, sponsorships, support, and assistance. Contact Thank you for reaching out to the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. We are here to help! Please take a moment to review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). If you still need assistance after reviewing the FAQs, feel free to fill out our contact form Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Company name Subject Message* Submit 73 Buffum Street Lynn, MA 01902 781-595-7570 Frequently Asked Questions Does the Coalition offer any furniture assistance? Unfortunately, we no longer provide furniture assistance, as our furniture bank closed down in 2021. If you're looking for furniture for yourself or a client, we recommend reaching out to a local furniture bank. Please call first before visiting to confirm their hours, donation policies, and available services. New Life Furniture Bank of MA Address: 102 Elm Street, Walpole, MA 02081 Phone: (774) 316-6395 Website: www.newlifefb.org Fresh Start Furniture Bank Address: 16 Brent Drive, Hudson, MA 01749 Phone: (508) 485-2080 Website: www.freshstartfurniturebank.org Household Goods, Inc. Address: 530 Main Street, Acton, MA 01720 Phone: (978) 635-1710 Website: www.householdgoods.org Mission of Deeds Address: 6 Chapin Avenue, Reading, MA 01867 Phone: (781) 944-9797 Website: www.missionofdeeds.org The Wish Project Address: 166 Middlesex Street, North Chelmsford, MA 01863 Phone: (978) 441-9474 Website: www.thewishproject.org Amvets Thrift Stores Address: Multiple locations across Massachusetts Phone: Varies by location Website: www.amvets.org Lazarus House Ministries, Inc. Address: 412 Hampshire Street, Lawrence, MA 01841 Phone: (978) 689-8575 Website: www.lazarushouse.org House to Home Address: 55 Martha Road, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 Phone: (508) 693-5566 Website: www.housetohomefurniturebank.org Does the Coalition offer any shelter services? We do not provide shelter services directly. To find a shelter in your area, please visit the Massachusetts government’s emergency shelter page: Find Emergency Shelter . Does the Coalition offer financial assistance for rent or utility arrears, first, last, and security deposits? No, we do not provide direct financial assistance for housing costs. If you need financial help, we recommend contacting your local housing consumer education center to start the application process for RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition): Mass Housing Info . I need a bed for my children. How can I get one? At A Bed for Every Child, we are committed to providing twin mattresses and frames to children across Massachusetts who need them. If you need assistance, a referral can be made for your child through their guidance counselor, teacher, caseworker, or physician. To make a referral, please visit our website: Request a Bed . Please note that due to high demand, there is currently a waitlist of 45-60 days. What should I do if I’m facing a housing emergency or know someone who is? If you are experiencing a housing emergency, please visit our Get Help page to learn about the resources available, how to apply, and where to go for assistance: Get Help . Can I donate money to a specific program or cause? Yes, you can choose to designate your donation to a specific program, such as A Bed for Every Child, or to our general fund, which supports all our programs and services. Please indicate your preference when making your donation. What types of donations does the Coalition accept? We are currently only able to accept new items, such as bedding, pillows, and pajamas, which are distributed directly to children in need through our A Bed for Every Child program. Please check our webpage for a complete list of accepted items and donation guidelines.

A Bed for Every Child is dedicated to giving children in need a better night's sleep and a brighter future. Support our mission to provide beds to kids across Massachusetts. A Bed for Every Child A Bed for Every Child is committed to ensuring that every child in Massachusetts has a safe and comfortable place to sleep and dream. Launched in 2012, as an initiative of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, our mission is simple yet essential: provide beds to children in need in hopes of improving their quality of life and chances of success in the classroom. Supporting low-income children across Massachusetts Partnering with public school districts, health centers, hospitals, community organizations, the Department of Children and Families, faith-based groups, teachers, and case managers the program provides children in low-income households with new beds and essential items. Each year, over 1,500 beds are delivered directly to children's homes. We also educate parents and caregivers on healthy sleep practices to support children's academic success in efforts to ensure that as they continue to grow they utilize education to help break the cycle of poverty. A study found that 40% of children and adolescents in the U.S. experience sleep insecurity, which is associated with poor academic performance and behavioral issues Quality sleep is vital for youth as it aids in physical growth, mental development, and emotional health. Proper sleep enhances concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills, enabling children and teens to perform better in school and social situations. Additionally, sleep helps regulate mood and stress, promoting overall well-being. Learn more by downloading our sleep resource pdf today. Sleep Tips & Resources For every $350 raised, a complete bed goes out into the community. No amount is too small when it comes to making a difference. Support our Mission Today. Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors Acknowledging those who help A Bed for Every Child provide beds completely free of charge to low income children all across the Commonwealth. 2023 Impact Report Interested in partnering with A Bed for Every Child? Click the button below or call 781-595-7570 x16 to learn how you and your team can help support their future by sponsoring a team-building event with us. Contact Team building with a purpose. Sponsor and build beds with your team by participating in our meaningful initiative: the Build a Bed Project Through the simple act of building beds, we provide a fundamental need to children who have gone without a bed to call their own. It's a place for rest, for dreams, and for a sense of security. And for your team? It's a chance to step out of the office, work together in new ways, and see the direct result of your collaboration and care. Learn More

Discover how the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless is addressing housing and benefits issues. Engage with us at our Advocacy Committee Meetings to contribute to meaningful change Advocacy Committee Meetings The Coalition hosts a monthly Housing and Benefits advocacy meeting where advocates, case managers, people with lived experience come together to discuss the Coalition's public policy campaigns and exchange information on new programs, resources and legislative updates. Topics The presentations at this meeting focus on topics related to homelessness, poverty, and benefits issues. When Anticipated Upcoming Dates: October 25, 2024 December 13, 2024 January 31, 2025 February 28, 2025 March 28, 2025 April 25, 2025 May 30, 2025 June 27, 2025 RSVP You can RSVP for the next monthly meeting right online by filling out our registration form here. Can't make it? Join our Housing and Benefits mailing list to have meeting materials and advocacy opportunities delivered right to your inbox. Please Join Us We invite you to join our informative meetings, held on the last Friday of each month, with a break in August and a combined session in mid-December to cover both November and December. The goal of this meeting is to improve your understanding of the legislative process and discuss avenues for advocacy from allied organizations. Since March 2020, all meetings have been conducted via Zoom. Below, you'll find specific dates and a link to RSVP for the next Housing and Benefits Committee meeting. RSVP TODAY Take action Today! Interested in sharing your expertise or insights? We're actively seeking presentations on housing, homelessness, poverty, and benefits issues from allied organizations. Connect with us and contribute to our community's knowledge and growth. Submit your presentation ideas today! CONTACT No amount is too small when it comes to making a difference. Support MCH's work by donating today! Take action today to ease access to Massachusetts ID cards for people experiencing homelessness! Published August 22, 2023; last updated September 6, 2024 MCH Sep 6, 2024 1 min read 607 views 2 likes. Post not marked as liked 2 Protect Families' Access to State-Funded Shelter and Supports On July 23rd, Governor Healey announced new policies that will prioritize certain children and families for Emergency Assistance (EA)... MCH Aug 16, 2024 1 min read 1,257 views 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1

Stay Informed with the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless! Sign up today to receive the latest news, updates, and alerts delivered directly to your inbox. Be the first to know about our advocacy efforts, upcoming events, and ways you can make a difference. Join Us Stay Informed with the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless! Sign up today to receive the latest news, updates, and alerts delivered directly to your inbox. Be the first to know about our advocacy efforts, upcoming events, and ways you can make a difference.

Take action now with the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless' 1 Minute Advocacy Actions. Support homelessness prevention and housing policies with just a minute of your time. Fiscal Year 2025 Family Homelessness Supplemental Budget Advocacy Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/senate-ea-supp MCH Mar 5 1 min read 16 Post not marked as liked Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Priorities FY25 budget priority overview fact sheet FY25 budget priority tracking chart Governor Healey’s FY25 budget recommendations, known as the... MCH Mar 5 1 min read 11 Post not marked as liked Fiscal Year 2024 General Appropriations Act Budget Priorities Fiscal Year 2024 General Appropriations Act Budget Priorities FY24 budget priority overview fact sheet FY24 budget priority chart Overall... MCH Mar 5 1 min read 2 Post not marked as liked Fiscal Year 2024 Supplemental Budget Priorities Adequately fund the Emergency Assistance family shelter program (Line Item 7004-0101) to provide traditional shelter or overflow shelter... MCH Mar 5 1 min read 0 Post not marked as liked 2023-2024 Legislative Session Bill Priorities January 2023–December 2024 2023-2024 bill priority overview fact sheet 2023-2024 bill priority chart Overall bill (and budget)... MCH Mar 5 2 min read 7 Post not marked as liked Join us for Legislative Action Day 2025 RSVP Online Today! Legislative Action Day 2025 - Monday, April 7, 2025 Legislative Action Day (LAD) is the Coalition's annual event... MCH Mar 4 1 min read 133 Post not marked as liked End of Year Appeal 2024 Dear Friends: What makes a community? Is it the traditions and shared history? Your neighbors, friends and family? Is it the... MCH Dec 2, 2024 3 min read 364 3 likes. Post not marked as liked 3 Take action today to ease access to Massachusetts ID cards for people experiencing homelessness! Published August 22, 2023; last updated September 6, 2024 MCH Sep 6, 2024 1 min read 607 2 likes. Post not marked as liked 2 Protect Families' Access to State-Funded Shelter and Supports On July 23rd, Governor Healey announced new policies that will prioritize certain children and families for Emergency Assistance (EA)... MCH Aug 16, 2024 1 min read 1,257 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 MCH's Legislative Action Day 2024 Thank You Our hearts are filled with gratitude for all of your support for our March 7th Legislative Action Day at the State House! Thank you to... MCH May 7, 2024 2 min read 42 Post not marked as liked Take Action Join us in making a difference! Take action today by reading our latest announcements and staying informed about our initiatives and action alerts.

Since 1981, the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless has been committed to ending homelessness through advocacy, support, and systemic change. Learn more about our mission and impact About Us The mission of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless is to end homelessness in all parts of the Commonwealth. Our Vision Upgrade to remove watermark www.marketpushapps.com www.marketpushapps.com 20059 members engaged across our initiatives on our digital platforms 3683 households assisted through 4 programs across 298 communities 60900 hours of advocacy provided to 1981 households facing housing instablity 1702 children received healthy sleep education along with brand new beds Our 2023 Impact in Numbers Your donation can make a real difference in the lives of individuals and families facing homelessness in our community. Consider giving today! Our Programs A Bed for Every Child: Helps children to obtain a place to dream, learn healthy sleep habits, and improve academic performance. Launched in 2012, A Bed for Every Child is one of a few resources in the state that utilizes a holistic approach to create a stable and nurturing environment for children living in poverty. Birth to Big Kid Initiative: Works to reduce infant mortality by providing cribs and safe sleep education to low-income expectant mothers, focusing on prenatal and childhood development. Since 2022, MCH has partnered with hospitals and health centers across Massachusetts to assist pregnant mothers with safe sleep education approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Birth to Big Kid is the only initiative in Massachusetts that supports families from prenatal stages through toddlerhood. The Casa Project: Helps low-income families and individuals avoid displacement or becoming unsheltered by providing upstream preventive resources and support. For over 20 years, MCH has utilized an upstream homeless prevention approach, ensuring that over 30,000 households in Massachusetts could have obtained a place to call home. Statewide Systemic Change: Advocates on behalf of underserved populations and communities across Massachusetts. For over 40 years, MCH has propelled vital efforts that have led to lasting positive impacts such as securing funding for RAFT, the Massachusetts YOUth Count, and strengthening the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act in the Commonwealth.

Discover the Casa Project by the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, offering homelessness prevention, housing stabilization and flexible services to support individuals and families statewide. The Casa Project The Casa Project is an upstream homelessness prevention program that provides wraparound individualized services that secure housing stability for families and individuals. Every year, we assist over 1,800 households, working under the mission of ensuring everyone has a place to call home. For over 20 years this one-stop service model has addressed housing instability and prevented displacement and homelessness for thousands of families, individuals, older adults, young adults, and children across the Commonwealth. Our Casa Housing Advocates empower, serve, and educate households facing housing issues, helping them overcome barriers, and secure resources to remain stably housed. Upgrade to remove watermark www.marketpushapps.com www.marketpushapps.com 1466 Households Assisted in Addressing Financial Barriers 1981 Households Assisted in Preventing Housing Instability 60900 Hours of Advocacy Provided $198,457 Secured in Funding to Address Housing Instability. HRSN Services Support The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless is one of dozens Social Services Organizations across the state that offers MassHealth HRSN Services. Since the beginning of this statewide programming implementation in 2021, our agency engages in contracted work with Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to provide housing support across the state for members experiencing homelessness as well as those at risk of experiencing homelessness. Partnering with these contracted ACO's: Community Care Cooperative (C3) WellSense Community Alliance Tufts Health Together with UMass Memorial Health Fallon Health-Atrius Health Care Collaborative As the state of Massachusetts continues to transform the Flex Services Program into the new framework of the Health Related Social Needs (HRSN), we are actively equipping our agency in the process of becoming a Managed Care Entity (MCE). This transition will enable us to continue serving members referred by ACO's, providing support in housing and nutrition, and becoming a Hub for these services. Click here to reach out to a member of MCH's team is you would like to collaborate with MCH and the Casa Project. Our program's services support the needs of collaborating entities that refer households from healthcare facilities to obtain assistance from The Casa Project. These are our collaborating entities: Brockton Neighborhood Health Center Codman Square Health Center Dimock Center DotHouse Health Greater Lawrence Family Health Center Greater Roslindale Medical and Dental Center Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center Lynn Community Health Center Manet Community Health Center Mattapan Community Health Center New Bedford Community Health Center North Shore Community Health South Boston Community Health Center Upham's Corner Health Center To learn more about the MassHealth Flexible Programs visit: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2019/10/24/flexible-services-summary.pdf Local and Regional Contract Work The Casa Project engages in contracted work with community-based organizations and municipal entities. Currently, Casa is partnering with: City of Boston Office of Housing Stability, Town of Lexington Youth and Family Services Division Lynn Public Schools Minuteman Senior Services Mystic Valley Elder Services Get Help with Health-Related Social Needs Support MCH's Casa Project offers services in partnership with MassHealth as well as several ACOs to help individuals who are experiencing challenges with homelessness, housing instability, and unhealthy living conditions. To be considered for eligibility you must be a Massachusetts resident on MassHealth. How to Apply: Fill out our quick referral form, and a team member will contact you to determine what services you qualify for. Submit Referral Download Flyer Participating Partnerships Load More Our 2023 Impact in Numbers Every dollar counts in the fight against homelessness. Support the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless and make an impact on the lives of those in need. Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors 2023 Impact Report Acknowledging those who help our Casa Project offer homelessness prevention and housing stabilization resources to the Commonwealth's most vulnerable households.