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In Settlement of Lawsuit, State Agrees to New Rules for Subsidies for Homeless FamiliesBOSTON - The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has agreed to new rules and procedures governing short-term housing subsidies for families with children who are experiencing homelessness. The new rules are part of the settlement of a lawsuit filed in December by the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, on behalf of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless and individual homeless families, challenging the absence of clear and fair rules by which families could receive and retain important housing benefits known as Emergency Assistance “Flex Funds.”
“We are extremely pleased that DHCD was willing to negotiate more fair and transparent rules and procedures for Flex Funds,” said Robyn Frost, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. “We hope that this agreement will be a model for the Commonwealth’s continued efforts to place families experiencing homelessness in housing instead of shelter, whenever possible.”
Under the settlement, families receiving state-funded short-term subsidies will be subject to uniform rules governing the Flex Funds program. Families who comply with these rules will be eligible for extended assistance if they cannot afford their apartments when their subsidies end. Affordability will be determined by whether the family must pay more than 35% of their income for rent and utilities. Families with subsidies will receive the same notice and appeal rights as families in emergency shelter.
The new policies are effective as of March 1, or as soon thereafter as families receive copies, and will be posted on the website of the Division of Housing Stabilization at www.mass.gov/dhcd.
About MLRI Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) is a statewide advocacy organization. Our mission is to promote economic, racial and social justice for low-income people through legal action, education and advocacy. MLRI advocates for systemic reforms to policies and practices that harm people living in poverty and works to ensure that the fundamental needs of traditionally underserved, low-income populations are met. MLRI also serves as the central support center for local and regional legal services providers and advocacy organizations across the state so they may best serve the needs of their individual clients. A 2008 assessment of MLRI conducted by three experienced, national peer reviewers affirmed that MLRI “is one of the premier state support centers in the country” and “remains the backbone of the Massachusetts civil legal aid delivery system.”
About the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless (MCH) works to create long-term solutions to homelessness while meeting the immediate needs of families and individuals who are at-risk or experiencing homelessness. MCH’s works to support its mission through homelessness prevention programs, direct service, coalition building, technical assistance, public education, community partnering, and advocating for safe and affordable permanent housing for homeless and at-risk individuals and families. Created by an association of grassroots organizations in 1981, MCH is the country's oldest statewide homeless advocacy organization. MCH's policy and organizational work now involves the annual participation of over 700 volunteers, over 800 faith communities, 1,300 service providers and regional advocacy groups, and hundreds of families and individuals who have experienced homelessness.
Date Posted: 3/2/2011 11:11 am |