Bill > H1496

This bill establishes and details the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) Homelessness Prevention Program, to be administered by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development. The program will provide financial assistance to households at risk of homelessness, eviction, foreclosure, or utility shut-off, with a focus on low-income families. Households can receive up to 12 months of rental or utility payment assistance, even without being under immediate legal threat of eviction. The program prioritizes households with incomes at or below 30% of the area median income, but will not delay aid to higher-income households. Eligible recipients include families with children under 21, elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and unaccompanied youth. The bill also requires the department to submit an annual report detailing program metrics such as referral sources, application numbers, household demographics, and long-term housing outcomes. Additionally, the bill mandates that certain administrative documents related to rental assistance be considered public records, while protecting the privacy of individual tenants by keeping their names confidential. The goal is to provide proactive support to prevent homelessness and promote housing stability for vulnerable populations.

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1496