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June 4, 2024


Dear Kelly,


The Affordable Homes Act, a historic housing bond bill, is making its way through the Massachusetts Legislature.


Yesterday morning, the House Committee on Ways and Means released its version of the housing bond bill, House Bill 4707. It contains $6.2 billion in proposed housing-centered bond authorizations and tax credits for the next five years, $2.1 billion more than Governor Healey's proposal, House Bill 4138.


State Representatives had until yesterday at 5 p.m. to file amendments to strengthen the housing bond bill. Tomorrow, House members will gather in a formal legislative session to debate the 371 amendments to the Affordable Homes Act.


Please join us today and tomorrow morning by calling or emailing your Representative to cosponsor and/or actively support key amendments related to top Coalition priorities, such as:


  • Launching a bridge subsidy program for older adults experiencing housing instability: Amendment #37, "Prevent Older Adults from Experiencing Homelessness"


  • Restoring upstream access to the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) homelessness prevention program: Amendment #111, "Stabilizing Tenants and Small Property Owners - RAFT Eligibility"


  • Expanding access to Mass IDs for youth and adults experiencing homelessness: Amendment #335, "State Identification Cards"


  • Increasing funding for housing and wraparound services for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness: Amendment #345, "Housing and Wraparound Support Services for Youth and Young Adults Facing Homelessness"


  • Codifying and improving the HomeBASE program: Amendment #54, Strengthening the HomeBASE Program


  • Establishing a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness: Amendment #21, "Homeless Bill of Rights"


  • Ensuring the fair implementation of the new Emergency Assistance family shelter time limits: Amendment #369, "EA Time Limit"


Please see below for more details. You can join us tomorrow at the State House for the debate or follow along online: livestream link


Thank you for your advocacy!


In solidarity,

Kelly and Julia



Kelly Turley

Associate Director

kelly@mahomeless.org


Julia Garvey

Community Organizer/Legislative Advocate

julia.garvey@mahomeless.org


P.S. Stay up to date with the Coalition’s advocacy initiatives by following us on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and X/Twitter. (Links also included at the top of this message.)

Take Action with Us Today to

Strengthen the Housing Bond Bill


Please reach out to your State Representative to ask for their strong and active support for the key amendments listed below.


You can find out who your Representative is and how to contact them by going to www.wheredoivotema.com or calling the State House switchboard at 617-722-2000.


Here is a template for your outreach:


"My name is [name]. I [live/stay] at [address] in [city/town]. As a constituent, I am asking the Representative to cosponsor and actively support key amendments to the housing bond bill, including:


  • Amendment #37, "Prevent Older Adults from Experiencing Homelessness," from Rep. Uyterhoeven


  • Amendment #111, "Stabilizing Tenants and Small Property Owners - RAFT Eligibility," from Rep. LeBoeuf


  • Amendment #335, "State Identification Cards," from Rep. Khan


  • Amendment #345, "Housing and Wraparound Support Services for Youth and Young Adults Facing Homelessness," from Rep. Khan


  • Amendment #54, "Strengthening the HomeBASE Program," from Rep. Barber


  • Amendment #21, "Homeless Bill of Rights," from Rep. Pignatelli


  • Amendment #369, "EA Time Limit," from Rep. Khan


  • Amendment #33, "An Act Enabling Cities and Towns to Stabilize Rents and Protect Tenants," from Rep. Montaño


  • Amendment #4, "Massachusetts Flexible Supportive Housing Pool Program and Fund," from Rep. Meschino


  • Amendment #174, "Foreclosure Prevention Program," from Rep. Barber


  • Amendment #165, "Local Option Transfer Fee - Flexible Threshold," from Rep. LeBoeuf


As the House finalizes its recommendations for this historic housing bond bill, I hope that the Representative will actively support these policies and investments. The underlying bill and these amendments would help ensure that families and individuals in our community and across the Commonwealth can obtain and retain housing stability over the next five years. Thank you!"


After making your call or sending your email, please let us know by emailing us.


Thank you again for your advocacy!