One day to go! Please join us tomorrow morning (Tuesday, October 18th) in Boston for an event to call for a change in state regulations so as to better serve families experiencing homelessness. Since 2012, many families experiencing homelessness have had to stay in places not meant for human habitation before being able to access shelter and rehousing services through the state's Emergency Assistance (EA) and HomeBASE programs.
According to the most recent report from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), for the first two months of FY'17, 141 families entered shelter only after first staying in an emergency room, car, campground, transit station, or other unsafe place not intended to be used for human habitation. These families were 22% of all families entering the EA system.
We will be gathering on the 18th to amplify the call to end this policy, so families experiencing homelessness can access resources before having to subject themselves to such extreme living conditions. We also will be gathering to continue to call for deeper investments in housing that is affordable for the lowest income families and for more homelessness prevention resources.
We are asking the Legislature to include language in the pending FY'17 supplemental budget (
House Bill 4506, line item 7004-0101) to require DHCD to provide shelter and services to otherwise eligible families who lack feasible, alternative housing before families are left to stay in places not meant for human habitation. While the Senate included such language in their version of the FY'17 budget, the language was not approved by the House this summer. We hope that the Legislature will reconsider this decision so as to prevent further traumatization and suffering of children and families.
Scheduled speakers include:
Families who have stayed in places not meant for human habitation
State Representative Marjorie Decker of Cambridge, lead House sponsor of the proposed budget language change
Dr. Mia Kanak, pediatrician from Boston Medical Center and Boston Children's Hospital
Kelly Turley, Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless
Providers and advocates working on the front lines
