(BOSTON, MA) – Supportive housing, a priority for State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull), was included in the House’s recent H.4707, An Act relative to the Affordable Homes Act. The Act provides a comprehensive package of funding to support the creation of affordable housing in Massachusetts. Supportive housing is a crucial element of this legislation and provides an excellent opportunity to combat the Massachusetts housing crisis.
Permanent supportive housing, a subset of permanent housing, is a housing model that integrates resources such as shelter, healthcare, and assistive services, for residents in need of multiple pillars of support. This model has no limit on length of stay, and focuses on helping residents build the skills needed to live independently while in a safe, supportive environment. It is a highly efficient, cost-effective means to assist the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable residents.
In order to meet future housing needs, Massachusetts needs an estimated 200,000 new homes, at least 20,000 of which must be deeply affordable housing. Not only is supportive housing necessary to support these developments, it is successful. The Massachusetts Alliance for Supportive Housing reported that of over 1,000 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness that participated in a supportive housing program, 85% retained housing six years later.
Successful supportive housing programs have been implemented across the United States in major metropolitan areas such as Chicago and Los Angeles. The County of Los Angeles Homelessness Initiative reported that since 2017, over 104,000 people experiencing homelessness were placed in permanent housing. A majority of these individuals retained housing and thrived from the supportive resources. Similar success has already occurred in Massachusetts, and the inclusion of supportive housing in the recent Housing Bond Bill opens the door for future advancements.
“Creating a flexible supportive housing pool will allow us to not only meet increasing housing demands, but continually innovate and adapt to meet the needs of our most vulnerable residents. The pool will braid funding streams from HHS, HLC, and others to provide funding that will best reinforce supportive housing providers,” said State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “I am thrilled to see the commitment to supportive housing in this Bill. The inclusion of supportive housing is a major step forward, and I look forward to continuing to advocate for the needs of our residents.”
H.4707 has been amended and published as H.4726, which has been referred to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means where it awaits further action.