State Legislators, the newly appointed undersecretary of the Department of Housing and Community Development, Aaron Gornstein, homeless families and advocates gathered in Nurses Hall at the State House today to discuss Governor Deval Patrick’s proposed funding of $46 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) in FY2013. The event was organized by Homes for Families and the Housing Solutions Campaign Legislators in attendance were Rep. Sean Curran, Rep. Brian Dempsey, Rep. Paul Donato, Rep. Denise Garlick, Rep. Kevin Honan, Rep. Tim Madden, Rep. George Ross, Rep. Stat Smith, Sen. Jamie Eldridge, and Sen. James Welch.
An estimated 3,500 families in Massachusetts are currently homeless, staying in the state’s emergency shelter units or motels used for overflow. MRVP provides low-income households (elders, individuals with disabilities and families) with assistance in paying their rent and helps developers build housing that is affordable to this population. Once funded at more than $120 million over a decade ago, MRVP remains one of the best defenses the state has against homelessness. In his FY2013 budget proposal, Governor Patrick has proposed restoring an additional $10 million to this vital program, a 20 percent increase to its current funding level.
Participants at this year’s MRVP Cookie Day, where families and advocates distribute house-shaped cookies to their elected officials, listened intently as Wanda Fernandez shared her story of struggling with homelessness. She and her severely disabled 4 year old son share a motel room located on a busy highway, where the bathroom also serves family’s kitchen and medical supply and preparation closet. Yet, her son’s doctor does not have the ability to write the prescription for what her son truly needs – a home. Attempting to hold back her emotion, Ms. Fernandez shared, “I never expected to need help like this, but my baby is so sick. As a mother, I ask myself every day, ‘how do I get from this highway to home? How?’
According to the National Low Income Housing Alliance, the average two-bedroom unit in the Boston metro area costs $1,357. But with Massachusetts’ minimum wage at $8.00 an hour, the average low-income family with one full-time breadwinner earns a monthly income of $1,280. This disparity leaves limited options for low-income families to obtain or maintain housing, making affordable housing and prevention programs top priorities for organizers in 2012.
Another speaker at the event, Altia Taylor, whose family is currently housed with a temporary rental subsidy, said, “With the investment in MRVP, perhaps my family will have the necessary foundation to move up and out of homelessness…permanently.” MRVP currently assists 5,100 households. The Governor’s proposal would add on approximately 900 new vouchers, 100 of which would be designated for supportive housing, linking affordable housing and community-based supports.
Also at the event, Homes for Families honored House Ways and Means Chair, Brian Dempsey with their Inspiring Leadership Award, thanking him for his work on housing and homelessness issues. According to Libby Hayes, Executive Director of Homes for Families, “Chairman Dempsey is helping to lead the state towards a housing-based solution to homelessness, without sacrificing the safety net of shelter,” noting the injustices faced by the courageous mothers who shared their stories.