Bill > S991

This bill establishes an Interagency Supportive Housing Finance and Strategy Board to address and prevent homelessness in Massachusetts. The board will consist of 18 members, including the Lieutenant Governor as chair, representatives from various state agencies, and stakeholders from housing and mental health organizations. The board's primary responsibilities include developing strategic and financial plans for creating a supportive housing pipeline, identifying opportunities to combine resources from a supportive housing pool fund, and issuing joint requests for proposals to address chronic and high-need homelessness. The bill also creates a supportive housing pilot program within the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, which will provide at least 2,000 units of supportive housing to individuals, families, and young adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Additionally, the bill requires multiple state agencies to develop a memorandum of understanding to coordinate community-based supportive services and housing subsidies for very low and extremely low-income residents. A key component of the bill is the development of a plan to pair Medicaid housing benefits with community-based behavioral health services, with the goal of creating more comprehensive support for vulnerable populations and potentially reducing costs associated with institutionalization and emergency services.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S991