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The protection of fair and affordable housing is essential, not optional. Please email or call your State Representative to support funding MFHC and other Fair Housing Organizations. The State House will begin debating their budget next week, and it's important that they hear from you on the importance of our work.
Email or Call your State Representative and Ask them to Support Funding MFHC!
Here’s a sample letter you could use:
Dear Rep. _______________,
I am reaching out as a supporter of Mass. Fair Housing Center (MFHC) to bring your attention to two key amendments to the House FY27 budget that impact fair housing initiatives in your district and across the state.
As you know, MFHC is the state’s oldest fair housing center, serving residents across Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester Counties - including your constituents. Our organization provides life-changing free legal services to victims of housing discrimination, advances fair housing litigation and policies, and supports community education and outreach across central-western Massachusetts.
Today, I seek your support for the following amendments will which enable MFHC to continue our critical work in Massachusetts as we see a withdrawal of support from the federal government:
- Amendment #1458, filed by Rep. Dave Rogers - Fair Housing Initiatives
- This amendment would support $2M in funding directed towards the state’s fair housing agencies to ensure that our organizations - many of which are facing an immediate funding cliff due to a lapse of federal dollars this summer - can continue to serve your constituents and uphold Massachusetts fair housing law. This package would also support long-term stability for Fair Housing through the Fund and Office.
- Amendment #721, filed by Rep. Pat Duffy - MFHC earmark
- This allocation of $200,000 would directly support MFHC’s work in central-western MA.
We are grateful that this Commonwealth has strong fair housing laws to protect our residents - but without enforcement and legal intervention from organizations like ours, discriminators all too often violate these laws and the rights of your constituents. Fair housing initiatives ensure that accessible and affordable housing remains open to all, helping people to get into and stay in homes and out of state safety nets.
As MFHC and organizations like ours face imminent federal funding cliffs this summer, state funding is more urgent than it has ever been. We have long relied on our federal partners to support the majority of our operations - but recent changes in federal priorities have made funding unstable, uncertain, and rife with restrictions that hinder our ability to enforce MA law.
Thank you for your continued leadership and support for fair housing work. We hope to have your support and co-sponsorship behind these amendments. Please do not hesitate to reach out to further engage with our work.
With gratitude,
______________
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