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The Massachusetts Commission to End Homelessness has issued its recommendations for moving towards the elimination of homelessness in Massachusetts, under the leadership of co-Chairs Representative Byron Rushing and Undersecretary Tina Brooks of the Department of Housing and Community Development. Please click here for the full report. Text specifically related to homeless children is highlighted.
The Commission, whose members include legislators, mayors, heads of state agencies, providers, and advocates, was established by the Legislature to develop a five-year plan for ending homelessness in the Commonwealth. Horizons for Homeless Children was represented on the Commission by HHC Board member Mark Edwards, whose advocacy kept the Commission focused on homeless children. According to Edwards, "Because Horizons for Homeless Children was at the table, we were able to ensure that the particular needs of homeless children were included as a key element of the Commission's work. Our involvement is clearly reflected in the Commission's report, and I am grateful to have had this opportunity."
The Commission’s plan focuses on providing appropriate resources to both individuals and families who experience homelessness because of economic barriers and face social and economic obstacles. The Commission estimates that there are 5,000 Massachusetts families experiencing homelessness annually who receive services from the Department of Transitional Assistance’s Emergency Assistance shelter program. For a comprehensive estimate of the number of homeless children and youth in Massachusetts, please click here.
Some highlights of the plan:
- Gradually shift resources away from shelters and towards prevention resources and permanent housing. The Commission recommends an additional investment of $10 million at the outset; in subsequent years, the Commission anticipates that many of the costs associated with prevention and permanent housing will be offset by shifting resources away from shelters.
- Use one set of approaches for families experiencing homelessness due to economic barriers, and another set of approaches for those who are faced with both social and economic barriers.
- Ensure child-development opportunities for all children that are homeless, at-risk of homelessness, or transitioning out of homelessness.
The Commission's recommendations will now go to the Interagency Council on Homelessness and Housing for implementation, under the direction of Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray.
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