FY21 Budget Update on Housing/Homelessness
Thanks to Kelly Turley and the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless for this comprehensive housing/homelessness update on the FY21 Budget: After many months of COVID-19-related delays, the state budget process is another step closer to being finalized. Late last Wednesday night the Senate completed debate on their version of the budget, and that budget was […]
Act Fast! Support Eviction Prevention in the Budget!
As soon as you can (how ’bout now?), please write Conference Committee members to urge them to adopt the Senate’s Amendments in the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget. Please see this action alert below from the Homes for All MA Coalition: ACTION STEP: Please contact members of the budget conference committee to support inclusion of anti-eviction […]
Report out on Mayors/Managers Meeting with Secretary Sudders and COVID-19 Command Center
As an outgrowth of the convening of the Network’s Western MA COVID-19 Task Force, last Friday, November 20, Western MA Mayors and Town Managers and city and town staff met with Secretary Mary Lou Sudders, MEMA Director Samantha Phillips and Linn Torto, Executive Director of the MA Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness, to discuss […]
Senate Budget Adopted; On to Conference Committee
Late Wednesday night, the Senate adopted its proposed Fiscal Year 2021 budget. While the Senate did not adopt the Housing Stability Amendment, it did pass additional protections for tenants facing eviction and made some improvements to the RAFT program to facilitate quicker access to prevention funds. More details will be provided as soon as available. […]
Calls for President-elect Biden to Address the Housing Crisis
In recent days, leading national housing organizations have issued recommendations for President-elect Biden to implement immediately upon the start of his term. Here are two below: The National Housing Law Project: Enact a Broad Eviction Moratorium – NHLP, the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), and Eviction Lab recommend a broader, more protective order from the […]
Human Services Forum Virtual Legislative Reception – Jan. 29, 2021
From the Human Services Forum: For staff, board, constituents/clients, family members, and volunteers of member agencies of the Human Service Forum, Hampshire Council of Social Agencies (COSA) & Franklin County Resource Network (FCRN). Join your colleagues, clients and community members as we engage with our state legislators at the annual HSF Legislative Reception. This unique event allows you to share a table, zoom […]
Action Alert: Contact Your Senator Today on the FY21 Budget!
Amendment #388 sponsored by Senator Jehlen to prevent eviction of tenants who have fallen behind on their rent due to COVID-19 and Amendment #362 sponsored by Senator Moore to restore crucial forbearance options for homeowners and landlords with up to 15 units who have lost income due to the pandemic. Amendment #394 sponsored by Senator Crighton to improve and […]
TODAY: 3 calls to stop evictions now
The House budget amendments that will address the unfolding eviction crisis will be voted on TODAY. We know after a sobering presentation at our Legislative Briefing on Nov. 9 the severe eviction threat facing thousands of tenants in our region alone (see the summary data here). Please contact Leadership and your State Representative to urge support […]
