Bill > S961

This bill establishes a new residential assistance for families in transition (RAFT) homelessness prevention program administered by the executive office of housing and livable communities. The program will provide financial assistance and services to households with incomes at or below 50% of the area median income who are at risk of homelessness, eviction, losing housing subsidies, facing foreclosure, or experiencing utility shut-off within the next 12 months. Importantly, households do not need to have received formal notices to qualify, and eligibility can be verified through various certified statements. At least half of the program's funds must go to households at or below 30% of the area median income, with eligible groups including families with children under 21, elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and unaccompanied youth. The program can provide cash benefits for rental arrears, utility payments, broker fees, and other expenses that might put a household at risk of homelessness, with support available for up to 12 months. The bill also requires an annual detailed report to be submitted to legislative committees and made publicly available, which will include information about referral sources, application statistics, household demographics, and the long-term housing status of recipients. The program aims to proactively prevent homelessness by providing upstream support and assistance.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S961