Legislation pairs emergency assistance with long-term shelter framework and workforce training

BOSTON (03/21/2024)—Today, after extensive debate, the Massachusetts Senate passed S.2708, a supplemental budget which would make additional appropriations to the emergency shelter system while taking proactive and fiscally responsible steps to ensure its long term effectiveness. It also supports workforce training programs for families who have recently migrated to Massachusetts.

The bill requires each family in shelter to receive an individualized rehousing plan; eligibility for shelter after nine months would be contingent upon compliance with the rehousing plan, with certain categorical exemptions. The bill comes on the heels of Congress torpedoing bipartisan, commonsense federal immigration reforms which would have brought assistance to the Commonwealth.

Separately, the legislation permanently codifies outdoor dining flexibility made popular during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The plan passed by the Senate today addresses the state’s fiscal reality while also treating individuals who have migrated to our state with dignity and respect,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “As we continue to navigate through a challenge that has landed on our doorstep because of Congressional inaction, today we are addressing the immediate need to house families, bolstering our existing efforts to support those who have immigrated here in becoming part of our workforce, and providing a roadmap to manage this effort over time. I am grateful to Chair Rodrigues for his work, and to all my colleagues for their thoughtful approach to this pressing issue.”

“The Senate recognized the necessity of continuing to proactively respond swiftly and decisively to meet this unprecedented humanitarian emergency shelter crisis head-on, by not only providing the requisite funds to address this crisis, but also provide a long-term framework to transition these families out of temporary shelters and into permanent housing. With $250 million in emergency funding for FY24, we can weather this challenge as we develop solutions for rehousing families, provide workforce opportunities, and integrate these children into our public school system. We cap temporary shelter stays and limit the amount the Administration can spend going forward. We also establish a commission to study how to better serve this vulnerable population in the months and years to come. In addition, we dedicate over $10 million in workforce training initiatives to provide for the best in vocational tools available. Lastly, we have made available funding on a monthly basis heading into FY25 to ensure the shelter system has the resources it needs to help families stay housed as they move toward self-sufficiency,” said State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This would not have been possible without the hard work of the Senate Ways and Means staff, and my Senate colleagues, whose invaluable input helped navigate a sound path through this uncharted territory. I would also like to thank Minority Leader Tarr, whose viewpoint needs to be heard, and especially Senate President Spilka, for her continued steadfast and compassionate leadership through these ever-changing times.”

The legislation authorizes the Office of Administration and Finance to spend $75 million per month for the remaining few months of Fiscal Year 2024 from the Transitional Escrow Fund to help shelter families and promote self-sufficiency, and thereafter in FY25 articulates clear, decreasing amounts that the Office of Administration and Finance can spend per month from the Traditional Escrow Fund for this purpose. It also appropriates an additional $10 million in funds for housing intervention services and workforce supports in the emergency shelter program and provides $15 million to fund settlement obligations and judgements.

To ensure the long-term sustainability of the state’s shelter system, the legislation authorizes a family to remain eligible for emergency housing assistance benefits for nine months, with the possibility of 90-day extensions if the emergency housing recipient family is complying with their rehousing plan or meets certain circumstances.

The bill further creates a special commission to study and make recommendations on the sustainability, efficiency and effectiveness of the emergency housing assistance program. The commission would also be tasked with studying how to best support and ensure the long-term sufficiency of those seeking shelter while also helping to shore up regional based responses concerning the support of families in need of shelter.

The supplemental budget continues to require the Executive Office for Administration and Finance to submit biweekly reports regarding certain metrics of the Emergency Housing Assistance program. It also contains an array of other measures to support the Commonwealth’s businesses, students, and residents, including:

• Allowing a city or town to approve requests for expansion of outdoor restaurant service.
• Allowing graduates and students in their last semester of nursing education programs to the practice nursing, in accordance with guidance from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
• Extends the ability of nurses employed by assisted living residences to provide skilled nursing care in accordance with valid medical orders, provided the nurse holds a valid license to provide such care.
• Makes technical changes to certain line items from the fiscal year 2024 budget.

A version of this supplemental budget having recently passed the House, the differences will now need to be resolved between the House and Se