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1 | Shareable link to this chart: https://tinyurl.com/mchfy27 | Actively updating this column! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2 | Budget Links | https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S4/Amendments/Senate Please sign and share our one-minute online action to Senators: https://tinyurl.com/fy27senatebudget | https://malegislature.gov/Budget/SenateWaysMeansBudget https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S4 | https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5501 | https://malegislature.gov/Budget/HouseDebate Please sign and share our one-minute online action to Representatives: https://tinyurl.com/fy27housebudget | https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2027/HouseWaysMeansBudget/ | https://budget.digital.mass.gov/govbudget/fy27/ | https://malegislature.gov/Budget/ConferenceCommittee https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4240 https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy26/enacted/ https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-signs-609-billion-fiscal-year-2026-budget | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3 | Line Item | Name of Program/ Description | Coalition's Preliminary FY27 Budget Requests | Key Senate Budget Amendments | Senate Ways and Means FY27 Budget Proposals Released May 5, 2026 | House Debate Notes + Amendment Outcomes The House debated their version of the budget April 27–29, 2026. The final House budget includes $63.4 billion in spending recommendations, with ~$80 million added to the budget during the debate. | Key House Budget Amendments Representatives filed 1,737 amendments before the April 17, 2026 deadline. | House Ways and Means FY27 Budget Proposals Released April 15, 2026; $63.3 billion in total spending recommendations | Governor's FY27 House 2 Budget Proposals Released January 28, 2026; $63.36 billion in total spending recommendations: $60.11 billion in proposed line item spending + $2.7 billion in proposed surtax spending + $550 million proposed Medical Assistance Trust Fund transfer | FY26 Budget Funding and Language - The House and Senate approved the FY26 conference committee budget on June 30, 2025. Watch the House and Senate sessions: https://malegislature.gov/Events/Sessions/Detail/7491 and https://malegislature.gov/Events/Sessions/Detail/7488 - The Governor signed the FY26 budget (General Appropriations Act) on July 4, 2025 and issued line item vetoes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4 | 7004-9316 | Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) homelessness prevention program | Funding request: $300,000,000 Language requests: - Increase the RAFT benefit cap of $7,000/household/year to $10,000/household/year. - Ensure upstream access to benefits. - Allow households to maximize resources from RAFT, HomeBASE, and other rental assistance programs. - Increase RAFT flexibility to incorporate more components of the former federally funded Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), including direct payments to tenants whose landlords are unresponsive or who refuse payments. - Maintain and expand quarterly tracking and reporting requirements. | Amendment: See Amendment #42, "Expanding and Improving RAFT," from Senator Brendan Crighton. This amendment would make changes to the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition homelessness prevention program line item (RAFT, line item 7004-9316) to increase the annual cap on RAFT benefits to $10,000 per household from $7,000 per household; move access to RAFT more "upstream" by prohibiting the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) from requiring a notice to quit from families and individuals seeking help with back rent or requiring a utility shut-off notice from families and individuals seeking help with back utility bills; require EOHLC to offer direct-to-tenant payments in cases where the property owner is unresponsive or refuses payment; direct EOHLC to provide forward rent payments if the award would not exceed the 12-month benefit cap; and ensure equal access for households living in public or subsidized housing. | Funding: $201,205,991 - Matches the Governor's House 2 budget request; almost $8.8 million below the House recommendation Language: - Includes language to maintain the cap on benefits at $7,000/household/year - Does not include language to prohibit the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) from requiring a notice to quit, a summary process summons and complaint, or utility shut-off notice before families and individuals can access RAFT (so would not require EOHLC to provide upstream access to RAFT) - Would continue to require EOHLC to spend at least $3 million to provide RAFT benefits to households with older adults, people with disabilities, and youth not living with a parent or guardian - Would require quarterly reports on the program from EOHLC to the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means | Amendment outcomes: The RAFT amendments, Amendment #1707 and Amendment #805, were considered under the Housing category but were not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment F. | Amendments: See Amendment #1707, "Upstream Homelessness Prevention," from Representative Decker. This amendment would make changes to the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition homelessness prevention program line item (RAFT, line item 7004-9316) to increase the annual cap on RAFT benefits to $10,000 per household from $7,000 per household; move access to RAFT more "upstream" by prohibiting the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) from requiring a notice to quit from families and individuals seeking help with back rent or requiring a utility shut-off notice from families and individuals seeking help with back utility bills; require EOHLC to offer direct-to-tenant payments in cases where the property owner is unresponsive or refuses payment; direct EOHLC to provide forward rent payments if the award would not exceed the 12-month benefit cap; and ensure equal access for households living in public or subsidized housing. See also Amendment #805, "Eliminating the Notice to Quit Requirement for RAFT Eligibility and Reinstating Proactive Notice to EOHLC," from Representative David LeBoeuf. This amendment would move access to RAFT more "upstream" by prohibiting the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) from requiring a notice to quit from families and individuals seeking help with back rent or requiring a utility shut-off notice from families and individuals seeking help with back utility bills; require EOHLC to consult with the Joint Committee on Housing, and seek public feedback, to establish the criteria to be used to determine if families and individuals are experiencing hardship; and require online filing of notices to quit with EOHLC so EOHLC can reach out to tenants and property owners about RAFT resources. | Funding: $210,000,000 - Almost $8.8 million above the Governor's House 2 budget recommendation Language: - Includes language to maintain the cap on benefits at $7,000/household/year - Does not include language to prohibit the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) from requiring a notice to quit, a summary process summons and complaint, or utility shut-off notice before families and individuals can access RAFT (so would not require EOHLC to provide upstream access to RAFT) - Would continue to require EOHLC to spend at least $3 million to provide RAFT benefits to households with older adults, people with disabilities, and youth not living with a parent or guardian - Would require quarterly reports on the program from EOHLC to the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means | Funding: $201,205,991 | Funding: $207,477,715 in direct FY26 funding (see below for more details.) Language: - Includes language to maintain the cap on benefits at $7,000/household/year - Includes language recommended by the Senate to require the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to consult with family homelessness service providers, advocates, the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, and the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Housing to “create a plan to divert families from emergency assistance shelter including, but not limited to, reducing barriers to the residential assistance for families in transition program, the HomeBASE household assistance and other shelter diversion programs.” This language was moved by the conference committee to line item 7004-0100, which funds the operations of EOHLC's homeless shelter and services unit, from line item 7004-0107, which funds local housing program earmarks. Note: The Legislature included an additional $42,910,506 in funding for RAFT in an FY25 supplemental budget that was signed into law by Governor Healey on August 5, 2025 (during FY26.) See Chapter 14 of the Acts of 2025. These supplemental funds can be used in FY25 and FY26. Adding the supplemental funding to the direct FY26 appropriation, there is up to $250,388,221 in RAFT funding available this year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5 | 7004-0101 | Emergency Assistance (EA) shelter and services program for children and families | Funding request: Provide adequate funding to support children and families experiencing homelessness. Language requests: - Remove the length of stay limits, which are forcing families out of shelter before they can access safe housing. - Restore presumptive eligibility, which would give more families temporary access to shelter while they gather documents to prove ongoing eligibility. - Remove the cap on the number of families in EA shelter. - Strengthen support for families leaving shelter, including by improving housing search, providing ongoing wraparound support, and increasing HomeBASE rehousing resources. - Require the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to actively consult and collaborate with families with lived experience of homelessness, providers, advocates, and key community stakeholders as the state moves ahead with changes to the EA program. | Amendment: See Amendment #842,"EA Shelter Access," from Senator Robyn Kennedy. This amendment would increase access to the Emergency Assistance family shelter program (EA, line item 7004-0101 and Chapter 23B of the Massachusetts General Laws). It would restore presumptive eligibility for families who appear to be eligible for shelter but need more time to gather the requested documentation to prove ongoing eligibility; require the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to make same-day placements for families who lack feasible, alternative housing; and provide families with an initial eligibility period of 9 months instead of the current 6-month period. | Funding: $258,635,648 Language: - Would not remove length of stay limits - Would not restore presumptive eligibility - Would not remove the cap on the number of families in EA shelter - Includes extensive tracking and reporting language - Would require EOHLC to provide the Legislature with 90 days' advance notice before reducing eligibility or benefits - Would require EOHLC to collaborate with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), the Massachusetts Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness (ICHH), and family homelessness service providers "on strategies and best practices for the prevention of family homelessness"; would not explicitly require EOHLC to consult with families with lived experience of homelessness | Amendment outcomes: The EA amendments, Amendment #1694 and Amendment #1451, were considered under the Housing category but were not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment F. | Amendments: See Amendment #1694, "Access to Emergency Shelter," from Representative Decker. This amendment would increase access to the Emergency Assistance (EA) family shelter program. It would restore presumptive eligibility for families who appear to be eligible for shelter but need more time to gather the requested documentation to prove ongoing eligibility; require the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to make same-day placements for families who lack feasible, alternative housing; and provide families with an initial eligibility period of 9 months instead of the current 6-month period. See also Amendment #1451, "EA Shelter Eligibility," from Representative Rob Consalvo. This amendment would increase the income eligibility limit for Emergency Assistance shelter to 120% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) instead of 115% FPG to allow more families with children to access needed shelter and support services. | Funding: $258,635,649 - $1 above the Governor's House 2 budget request for line item 7004-0101; does not include a new family shelter diversion line item, 7004-0110, as proposed by the Governor in her House 2 budget Language: - Would not remove length of stay limits - Would not restore presumptive eligibility - Would not remove the cap on the number of families in EA shelter - Includes extensive tracking and reporting language - Would require EOHLC to provide the Legislature with 90 days' advance notice before reducing eligibility or benefits - Would require EOHLC to collaborate with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), the Massachusetts Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness (ICHH), and family homelessness service providers "on strategies and best practices for the prevention of family homelessness"; would not explicitly require EOHLC to consult with families with lived experience of homelessness Related outside section: See Outside Section 34, which would require "shelter staff, case managers, medical providers, and others" to refer families with children under age 3 for an early intervention evaluation and assessment within 30 days of entering shelter. This section would apply to EA shelters, as well as domestic violence shelters, substance use disorder and recovery shelters, and non-EA shelters. | Funding: $258,635,648 for EA line item plus $7,492,200 for a new line item to pull out funding for family shelter diversion (line item 7004-0110); total = $266,127,848 Note: For FY26, diversion spending comes out of the EA line item. | Funding: $276,421,903 Language: - Includes Senate language in the Emergency Assistance (EA) line item, 7004-0101, that would require the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to report to the Legislature by September 15, 2025 on the current state of the Emergency Assistance program and the justification for any continuation of the state of emergency policies and procedures that limit the number of families allowed to be in shelter at a given time and limit how long each individual family can stay in the EA program. - Includes Senate language to require the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to consult with family homelessness service providers, advocates, the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, and the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Housing to “create a plan to divert families from emergency assistance shelter including, but not limited to, reducing barriers to the residential assistance for families in transition program, the HomeBASE household assistance and other shelter diversion programs.” This language was moved by the conference committee to line item 7004-0100, which funds the operations of EOHLC's homeless shelter and services unit, from line item 7004-0107, which funds local housing program earmarks. - Includes Senate language in the local housing program earmarks line item, 7004-0107, to establish a pilot program in three regions of the state to "identify and create regional solutions to reduce the number of families needing shelter" and to bring together providers, legislators, and the Secretary of EOHLC to identify root causes of homelessness, identify gaps in services and barriers to housing stability, identify early intervention opportunities, and collate and analyze data to inform proposed recommendations for reform. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6 | 7004-XXXX (new line item) and 7004-0107 | Bridge subsidies to promote housing stability for older adults | Funding request: $10,000,000 Language requests: Expand access to bridge subsidies for up to 1,000 older adults, aged 60 or older, facing housing instability to allow them to remain in place while they await approval for public housing or a subsidy through programs such as the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program. Low-income older adults participating in the bridge subsidy program would pay 30% of their income towards rent, with the bridge subsidy making up the difference in the total rent, up to 110% of the fair market rent. The bridge subsidy program would be administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities in collaboration with the Executive Office of Aging and Independence (AGE). For FY26, $220,000 was included in the Local Housing Programs Earmarks line item, 7004-0107, for a pilot for older adults in Somerville, up from $100,000 in FY25. | Amendments: See Amendment #101, "Rental Bridge Subsidies for Older Adults," from Senator Pat Jehlen. This amendment would establish a new line item under the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to expand the short-term housing bridge subsidy program for low-income older adults, aged 60 or older, who are at risk of housing instability or homelessness and add $7.5 million to fund the expansion. See also Amendment #66, "Somerville Older Adult Rental Bridge," from Senator Pat Jehlen. This amendment would add $200,000 to the Local Housing Programs Earmarks line item (7004-0107) to support the continuation of the Somerville short-term housing bridge subsidy pilot program for low-income older adults, aged 60 or older, who are at risk of housing instability or homelessness. This pilot program is connected to the Coalition’s ongoing campaign to establish a statewide bridge subsidy program for low-income older adults. The current FY26 appropriations for this program are $200,000 for subsidies and $20,000 for program administration. | Funding: Not included - Matches the Governor's House 2 budget request and the House recommendation | Amendment outcomes: The bridge subsidy amendments, Amendment #1671 and Amendment #527, were considered under the Housing category but were not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment F. | Amendments: See Amendment #1671, "Rental Bridge Subsidies for Older Adults," from Representative Erika Uyterhoeven and Representative Shirley Arriaga. This amendment would establish a new line item under the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to expand the short-term housing bridge subsidy program for low-income older adults, aged 60 or older, who are at risk of housing instability or homelessness and add $7.5 million to fund the expansion. See also Amendment #527, "Prevent Older Adults from Experiencing Homelessness," from Representative Erika Uyterhoeven. This amendment would add $30,000 to the Local Housing Programs Earmarks line item (7004-0107) to support the continuation of the Somerville short-term housing bridge subsidy pilot program for low-income older adults, aged 60 or older, who are at risk of housing instability or homelessness. This pilot program is connected to the Coalition’s ongoing campaign to establish a statewide bridge subsidy program for low-income older adults. The current FY26 appropriations for this program are $200,000 for subsidies and $20,000 for program administration. | Funding: Not included | Funding: Not included | Funding: $200,000 for subsidies plus $20,000 for administration of the pilot Language: Includes Senate language to study the possibility of statewide expansion of the bridge subsidy program for older adults | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7 | 7004-0108 | HomeBASE rehousing program for children and families | Funding request: Provide adequate funding (at least $125,000,000) to better serve families participating in the HomeBASE program. Language requests: - Increase the maximum benefit levels to $50,000 over the first 24 months of the program and up to $25,000 in subsequent years for families needing additional time. - Allow families who otherwise would be eligible for Emergency Assistance to access HomeBASE "upstream". - Allow households to maximize resources from RAFT, HomeBASE, and other rental assistance programs. - Allow families to maximize their incomes while enrolled in HomeBASE. - Maintain FY26 language to require the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to provide the Legislature 90 days' advance notice before reducing eligibility or benefits. | Amendment: See Amendment #515, "Improvements to HomeBASE," from Senator Liz Miranda. This amendment would make changes to the HomeBASE rehousing program (line item 7004-0108, although currently listed as 7004-0101 in the amendment) to increase the cap on benefits to $50,000 per family over their first two years in the program, up from $30,000, and increase the cap to $25,000 in subsequent years, up from $15,000. It also would provide upstream access to HomeBASE benefits to prevent loss of existing housing and promote housing stability for families with children who otherwise would be eligible for the Emergency Assistance family shelter program. | Funding: $82,322,001 - Matches the Governor's House 2 budget request and the House recommendation - Would not increase the maximum benefit level; would maintain current benefit levels of up to $30,000 over the first two years of enrollment - Would require EOHLC to provide third-year HomeBASE benefits to eligible families: "provided further, the executive office of housing and livable communities shall provide household assistance in an amount up to $15,000, or a higher cap that may be established pursuant to this item, for a subsequent 12-month period to eligible families." Unfortunately, EOHLC has "paused" all approvals for third-year HomeBASE benefits in FY26. - Would provide at least $2.5 million to allow administering agencies to provide HomeBASE awards above $30,000 over two years to families for whom the additional funds are "essential to resolve a housing crisis" - Would require EOHLC to provide the Legislature with 90 days' advance notice before reducing eligibility or benefits - Includes extensive tracking and reporting language | Amendment outcome: The HomeBASE amendment, Amendment #542, was considered under the Housing category but was not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment F. | Amendment: See Amendment #542, "Improvements to HomeBASE," from Representative Christine Barber. This amendment would make changes to the HomeBASE rehousing program (line item 7004-0108) to increase the cap on benefits to $50,000 per family over their first two years in the program, up from $30,000, and increase the cap to $25,000 in subsequent years, up from $15,000. It also would provide upstream access to HomeBASE benefits to prevent loss of existing housing and promote housing stability for families with children who otherwise would be eligible for the Emergency Assistance family shelter program. | Funding: $82,322,001 - Matches the Governor's House 2 budget request Language: - Would not increase the maximum benefit level; would maintain current benefit levels of up to $30,000 over the first two years of enrollment - Would require EOHLC to provide third-year HomeBASE benefits to eligible families: "provided further, the executive office of housing and livable communities shall provide household assistance in an amount up to $15,000, or a higher cap established in item 7004-0108, for a subsequent 12-month period to eligible families." Unfortunately, EOHLC has "paused" all approvals for third-year HomeBASE benefits in FY26. - Would provide up to $2.5 million to allow administering agencies to provide HomeBASE awards above $30,000 over two years to families for whom the additional funds are "essential to resolve a housing crisis" - Would require EOHLC to provide the Legislature with 90 days' advance notice before reducing eligibility or benefits - Includes extensive tracking and reporting language | Funding: $82,322,001 | Funding: $57,322,001 in direct funding Language: - Includes language requiring EOHLC to provide third-year HomeBASE benefits to eligible families: "provided further, the executive office of housing and livable communities shall provide household assistance in an amount up to $15,000, or a higher cap established in item 7004-0108, for a subsequent 12-month period to eligible families." This is important as EOHLC has announced recently that they plan to "pause" all approvals for third-year HomeBASE benefits in FY26. - Includes Senate language that would allow families to maximize their incomes by not reimposing an income eligibility limit for families enrolled in HomeBASE: "provided further, that so long as a family meets the requirements of its housing stabilization plan, a family that received household assistance under this item whose income increases shall not become ineligible for assistance due to exceeding the income limit." This also is important as EOHLC has announced recently that they plan to impose income eligibility restrictions on families already enrolled in HomeBASE. - Includes Senate language to require the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to consult with family homelessness service providers, advocates, the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, and the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Housing to “create a plan to divert families from emergency assistance shelter including, but not limited to, reducing barriers to the residential assistance for families in transition program, the HomeBASE household assistance and other shelter diversion programs.” This language was moved by the conference committee to line item 7004-0100, which funds the operations of EOHLC's homeless shelter and services unit, from line item 7004-0107, which funds local housing program earmarks. Note: The FY25 closeout budget, signed into law in November 2025, included $50 million for the Housing Preservation and Stabilization Trust Fund. The Administration can transfer money from that fund to support HomeBASE and other programs in FY26. See line item 1595-0604 in the closeout budget: "For an operating transfer to the Housing Preservation and Stabilization Trust Fund established in section 60 of chapter 121B of the General Laws................................... $50,000,000" https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2025/Chapter73 Learn more about the FY25 closeout budget here: https://tinyurl.com/fy25closeout | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8 | 4000-0007 | Housing and services for unaccompanied youth and young adults experiencing homelessness | Funding request: $15,000,000 Language requests: - Retain language to provide needed housing and wraparound services to youth and young adults experiencing homelessness and housing instability. - Include funding to support the Boston Area Youth-Cash Assistance for Stable Housing (BAY-CASH) direct cash transfer program (BAY-CASH request = $204,767.) | Amendment: See Amendment #512, "Housing and Services for Unaccompanied Youth Experiencing Homelessness," from Senator Jamie Eldridge. This amendment would increase funding for the youth homelessness line item (4000-0007) to $12 million for FY27. It would provide almost $1.6 million above the FY27 Senate Ways and Means proposed funding level of $10,439,590. The current FY26 appropriation, with earmarks, is $10,645,850. This line item supports youth and young adults under the age of 25 in every region of the Commonwealth who are experiencing housing instability and homelessness on their own, without their parent or guardian. | Funding: $10,439,590 - Matches the Governor's House 2 budget request; $100,000 below the final House recommendation Language: - Would retain language to provide needed housing and wraparound services to youth and young adults experiencing homelessness and housing instability - Would not provide earmarked funding to support the Boston Area Youth-Cash Assistance for Stable Housing (BAY-CASH) direct cash transfer program | Amendment outcomes: The youth homelessness amendments, Amendment #812 and Amendment #168, were considered under the Health and Human Services category. Bad news/good news: Amendment #812 was not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment B. Amendment #168 was adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment B! | Amendments: See Amendment #812, "Housing and Services for Unaccompanied Youth Experiencing Homelessness," from Representative Jim O'Day. This amendment would increase funding for the youth homelessness line item (4000-0007) to $12 million for FY27. It would provide almost $1.6 million above the FY27 House Ways and Means proposed funding level of $10,439,590. The current FY26 appropriation, with earmarks, is $10,645,850. This line item supports youth and young adults under the age of 25 in every region of the Commonwealth who are experiencing housing instability and homelessness on their own, without their parent or guardian. See also Amendment #168, "BAY-CASH," from Representative Steve Owens. This amendment would add $100,000 to the youth homelessness line (4000-0007) under the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and earmark those funds for BAY-CASH, which provides direct cash assistance to unaccompanied youth and young adults who are experiencing homelessness. It would increase the House’s proposed FY27 funding level for the youth homelessness line item from $10,439,590 to $10,539,590. | Funding: $10,439,590 - Matches the Governor's House 2 budget funding request Language: - Would retain language to provide needed housing and wraparound services to youth and young adults experiencing homelessness and housing instability - Would not provide earmarked funding to support the Boston Area Youth-Cash Assistance for Stable Housing (BAY-CASH) direct cash transfer program | Funding: $10,439,590 | Funding: $10,645,850 Language: Includes House language to earmark $100,000 in the line item for the launch of BAY-CASH to provide direct cash assistance to unaccompanied youth and young adults who are experiencing homelessness | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9 | 7004-9024 | Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) | Funding request: $300,000,000 Request note: This funding level would allow increased access to MRVP housing subsidies. | Amendments: See Amendment #150, "Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program," from Senator Joan Lovely. This amendment would increase funding for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP, line item 7004-9024) to $300 million for MRVP mobile and project-based subsidies in FY27. It would build on Senate Ways and Means’ proposed FY27 funding level of $278,341,728 by adding almost $22 million more for the program. The current FY26 appropriation is $253,311,840. See also Amendment #838, "Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program Codification," from Senator Joan Lovely. This amendment would codify the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program and put key program provisions into state statute. | Funding: $278,341,728 - Matches the Governor's House 2 budget request; $3 million below the House recommendation | Amendment outcome: The MRVP amendment, Amendment #35, was considered under the Housing category but was not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment F. | Amendment: See Amendment #35, "MRVP," from Representative Adrianne Ramos. This amendment would increase funding for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP, line item 7004-9024) to $300 million for MRVP mobile and project-based subsidies in FY27. It would build on House Ways and Means’ proposed FY27 funding level of $281,341,728 by adding almost $19 million more for the program. The current FY26 appropriation is $253,311,840. | Funding: $281,341,728 - $3 million above the Governor's House 2 budget funding request | Funding: $278,341,728 | Funding: $253,311,840 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10 | 4408-1000 | Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children program (EAEDC) | Funding request: Provide adequate funding to increase monthly grants. Language requests: - Maintain language that allows applicants and participants to access EAEDC if they meet the income eligibility guidelines without re-establishing asset limits. - Maintain language that eliminates the "homelessness penalty" to ensure that participants experiencing homelessness receive benefits at the same level as participants who have housing. - Maintain language that requires the Administration to give the Legislature 75 days' advance notice before reducing benefits or imposing new limits on program eligibility. | Amendments: See Amendment #465, "Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children," from Senator Pat Jehlen. This amendment would add an outside section to the budget to change state statute on the Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children program (EAEDC, Chapter 117A of the Massachusetts General Laws and line item 4408-1000). It would require the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) to provide annual cost of living adjustments to EAEDC participants. It also would increase grant levels to match the benefits provided under DTA’s Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children program. See also Amendment #532, "Lifting Kids out of Deep Poverty," from Senator Sal DiDomenico. This amendment would improve the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC, line item 4403-2000) and Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC, line item 4408-1000) cash assistance programs. This amendment would provide 10% grant increases for TAFDC and EAEDC participants starting in October 2026. | Funding: $204,024,252 - Matches the Governor's House 2 budget request and the House recommendation Language: - Would maintain existing monthly grant levels - Would maintain language that allows applicants and participants to access EAEDC if they meet the income eligibility guidelines without re-establishing asset limits; does not include outside section language proposed by the Governor to impose an asset limit - Would maintain language that eliminates the "homelessness penalty" to ensure that participants experiencing homelessness receive benefits at the same level as participants who have housing - Would maintain language that requires the Administration to give the Legislature 75 days' advance notice before reducing benefits or imposing new limits on program eligibility | Amendment outcomes: The EAEDC amendments, Amendment #1024 and Amendment #1721, were considered under the Social Services category but were not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment A. | Amendments: See Amendment #1024, "EAEDC Asset Limit," from Representative Jim O'Day. This amendment would add an outside section to the budget to change state statute on the Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children program (EAEDC, Chapter 117A of the Massachusetts General Laws and line item 4408-1000). It would require the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) to provide annual cost of living adjustments to EAEDC participants. It also would increase grant levels to match the benefits provided under DTA’s Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children program. See also Amendment #1721, "Lift Our Kids," from Representative Marjorie Decker. This amendment would improve the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC, line item 4403-2000) and Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC, line item 4408-1000) cash assistance programs. This amendment would provide 10% grant increases for TAFDC and EAEDC participants starting in October 2026 and increase the annual TAFDC clothing allowance to $500 per child, up from $450 per child as proposed by House Ways and Means. In FY26, families received clothing allowances of $500 per child. | Funding: $204,024,252 - Matches the Governor's House 2 budget funding request Language: - Would maintain existing monthly grant levels - Would maintain language that allows applicants and participants to access EAEDC if they meet the income eligibility guidelines without re-establishing asset limits; does not include outside section language proposed by the Governor to impose an asset limit - Would maintain language that eliminates the "homelessness penalty" to ensure that participants experiencing homelessness receive benefits at the same level as participants who have housing - Would maintain language that requires the Administration to give the Legislature 75 days' advance notice before reducing benefits or imposing new limits on program eligibility | Funding: $204,024,252 Language: See Outside Section 49, "Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children Asset Limit". This change would re-establish an asset limit for all EAEDC participants and exclude participants/applicants who have over $2,000 in assets, even if their incomes are below the income eligibility limit and they meet all the other strict eligibility criteria. | Funding: $208,990,924 Language: - Includes language recommended by the House and Senate to maintain the elimination of the "homelessness penalty" to ensure that participants experiencing homelessness receive benefits at the same level as participants who have housing - Includes language recommended by the House and Senate that requires the Administration to give the Legislature 75 days' advance notice before reducing benefits or imposing new limits on program eligibility | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11 | 4403-2000 | Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children grant payments (TAFDC) | Funding request: Provide adequate funding to increase monthly grants. Language requests: - Maintain the elimination of the "homelessness penalty" to ensure that participants experiencing homelessness receive benefits at the same level as participants who have housing. - Maintain language that requires the Administration to give the Legislature 75 days' advance notice before reducing benefits or imposing new limits on program eligibility. - Maintain or increase the $500/child annual clothing allowance. | Amendment: See Amendment #532, "Lifting Kids out of Deep Poverty," from Senator Sal DiDomenico. This amendment would improve the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC, line item 4403-2000) and Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC, line item 4408-1000) cash assistance programs. This amendment would provide 10% grant increases for TAFDC and EAEDC participants starting in October 2026. | Funding: $437,259,755 - Matches the Governor's House 2 budget request and the House recommendation | Amendment outcome: The TAFDC amendment, Amendment #1721, was considered under the Social Services category but was not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment A. | Amendment: See Amendment #1721, "Lift Our Kids," from Representative Marjorie Decker. This amendment would improve the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC, line item 4403-2000) and Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC, line item 4408-1000) cash assistance programs. This amendment would provide 10% grant increases for TAFDC and EAEDC participants starting in October 2026 and increase the annual TAFDC clothing allowance to $500 per child, up from $450 per child as proposed by House Ways and Means. In FY26, families received clothing allowances of $500 per child. | Funding: $437,259,755 - Matches the Governor's House 2 budget funding request Language: - Would maintain existing monthly grant levels - Would maintain the elimination of the "homelessness penalty" to ensure that participants experiencing homelessness receive benefits at the same level as participants who have housing - Would maintain language that requires the Administration to give the Legislature 75 days' advance notice before reducing benefits or imposing new limits on program eligibility - Would reduce the annual clothing allowance from $500/child to $450/child | Funding: $437,259,755 | Funding: $466,729,423 Language: - Includes language recommended by the House and Senate to maintain the elimination of the "homelessness penalty" to ensure that participants experiencing homelessness receive benefits at the same level as participants who have housing - Includes language recommended by the House and Senate that requires the Administration to give the Legislature 75 days' advance notice before reducing benefits or imposing new limits on program eligibility - Includes language to maintain the $500/child annual clothing allowance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12 | 1595-6368 and Relevant Outside Section | Language in an outside section and funding within the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund to provide free Mass IDs to people experiencing homelessness | Funding request: $75,000 Language requests: Include language in the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund line item and an outside section to provide people experiencing homelessness with free Mass IDs and to reduce barriers for people experiencing homelessness to prove Massachusetts residency. | Amendment: See Amendment #881, "Identification for youth and adults experiencing homelessness," from Senator Robyn Kennedy. This amendment would add $50,000 to the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund (line item 1595-6368) to provide free standard Mass IDs to eligible people experiencing homelessness. The amendment also would add an outside section to amend Chapter 90 of the Massachusetts General Laws to establish fee waiver and documentation practices so youth and adults experiencing homelessness can access standard Mass IDs from the Registry of Motor Vehicles. | Funding: Not included - Matches the Governor's House 2 budget request and the House recommendation | Amendment outcome: The Mass ID access amendment, Amendment #828, was considered under the Transportation category but was not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment E. | Amendment: See Amendment #828, "Identification for youth and adults experiencing homelessness," from Representative Jim O'Day and Representative Sean Garballey. This amendment would add $50,000 to the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund (line item 1595-6368) to provide free standard Mass IDs to eligible people experiencing homelessness. The amendment also would add an outside section to establish fee waiver and documentation practices so youth and adults experiencing homelessness can access standard Mass IDs from the Registry of Motor Vehicles. | Funding: Not included | Funding: Not included | Funding: Not included | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
13 | 7004-9030 | Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) | Funding request: $30,000,000 Request note: This funding level would allow increased access to AHVP housing subsidies for individuals under the age of 60 who are living with disabilities. | Amendment: See Amendment #141, "AHVP," from Senator Robyn Kennedy. This amendment would put the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP, line item 7004-9030) into state statute and make improvements to AHVP. | Funding: $19,263,183 - Matches the Governor's House 2 budget request and the House recommendation | Amendment outcome: The AHVP amendment, Amendment #1182, was considered under the Housing category but was not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment F. | Amendment: See Amendment #1182, "Alternative Housing Voucher Program," from Representative Rob Consalvo and Representative Marjorie Decker. This amendment would put the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) into state statute and make improvements to AHVP. Amendment note: We hope that this amendment can be edited as it works its way through the budget process to limit the percentage of income tenants can be required to pay for rent. The current amendment language would set a floor of 25% of a tenant's income, but not a ceiling to cap the upper limit that could be required of tenants. | Funding: $19,263,183 - Matches the Governor's House 2 budget funding request Language: Does not include outside section language on AHVP as recommended by the Governor | Funding: $19,263,183 Language: See Outside Section 72, "Alternative Housing Voucher Program" | Funding: $19,461,214 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
14 | 7004-9005 | Public Housing Authority operating subsidies | Funding request: $132,900,000 | Amendments: See Amendment #24, "Local Housing Authorities," from Senator Michael Rush and Amendment #38, “Local Housing Authorities,” from Senator Julian Cyr. These amendments would increase funding for public housing authority operating subsidies (line item 7004-9005) to $120 million in FY27. They would build on Senate Ways and Means' proposed FY27 funding level of $117,810,000 by adding $2,190,000 more for the program. The current FY26 appropriation is $115.6 million. | Funding: $117,810,000 - Matches the Governor's House 2 budget request and the House recommendation | Amendment outcome: The public housing authority operating subsidy amendment, Amendment #754, was considered under the Housing category but was not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment F. | Amendment: See Amendment #754, "Local Housing Authorities," from Representative Paul McMurtry. This amendment would increase funding for public housing authority operating subsidies to $120 million in FY27. It would build on House Ways and Means' proposed FY27 funding level of $117,810,000 by adding $2,190,000 more for the program. The current FY26 appropriation is $115.6 million. | Funding: $117,810,000 - Matches the Governor's House 2 budget funding request | Funding: $117,810,000 | Funding: $115,600,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
15 | 0321-1800 and Relevant Outside Section | Access to counsel in eviction proceedings | Funding request: $4,000,000 | Amendment: See Amendment #904, "Access to Counsel," from Senator Sal DiDomenico. This amendment would reestablish the Access to Counsel Program line item (0321-1800) in the Senate and fund it at $3 million in FY27. The current FY26 appropriation is $2.5 million. The Access to Counsel Program provides legal representation and support to eligible low-income tenants/occupants and owner-occupants who are going through the eviction process. | Funding: Not included - $2.5 million below the Governor's House 2 budget request; $3 million below the House recommendation | Amendment outcomes: The Access to Counsel amendments, Amendment #1419 and Amendment #1291, were considered under the Judiciary category but were not adopted as part of Consolidated Amendment C. | Amendments: See Amendment #1419, "Access to Counsel," from Representative Dave Rogers and Representative Michael Day. This amendment would increase funding for the Access to Counsel Program line item (0321-1800) to $4 million in FY27. It would build on House Ways and Means’ proposed FY27 funding level of $3 million by adding $1 million more for the program. The current FY26 appropriation is $2.5 million. The Access to Counsel Program provides legal representation and support to eligible low-income tenants/occupants and owner-occupants who are going through the eviction process. See also Amendment #1291, "Access to Counsel," from Representative Michael Day and Representative Dave Rogers. This amendment would add an outside section to put the Access to Counsel Program for eviction cases into state statute. | Funding: $3,000,000 - $500,000 above the Governor's House 2 budget funding request | Funding: $2,500,000 | Funding: $2,500,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
16 | 7004-0102 | Shelter and services for unaccompanied adults experiencing homelessness | Funding request: Provide $115,000,000 to provide shelter and services to unaccompanied adults experiencing homelessness, and at least $12 million for expanded shelter capacity in the winter months. | Funding: $114,036,718 | Amendment note: While no statewide amendments were filed for this line item, amendments were filed to secure earmarked funding for local programs. | Funding: $115,000,000 plus $8,000,000 for a new line item (7004-0111) for expanded shelter capacity in the winter months; total = $123,000,000 - Almost $1 million above the Governor's House 2 budget request for line item 7004-0102; $4 million below the Governor's House 2 budget request for expanded winter shelter line item, 7004-0111 | Funding: $114,036,718 plus $12,000,000 for expanded shelter capacity in the winter months (line item 7004-0111); total = $126,036,718 | Funding: $113,327,398 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
17 | 7004-0104 | Home and Healthy for Good program for adults experiencing chronic homelessness | Funding request: $8,890,000 | Funding: $8,890,000 - $500,000 above the Governor's House 2 budget request; matches the House recommendation | n/a | Amendment note: Representatives did not file any amendments to this line item. | Funding: $8,890,000 - $500,000 above the Governor's House 2 budget request | Funding: $8,390,000 | Funding: $8,890,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
18 | 7035-0008 | Transportation for students experiencing homelessness | Funding request: At least $32,219,466 | Funding: $35,219,466 | n/a | Amendment note: Representatives did not file any amendments to this line item. | Funding: $35,219,466 -$3 million above the Governor's House 2 budget request | Funding: $32,219,466 | Funding: $28,671,815 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
19 | 7004-0202 | Rapid rehousing for individuals | Funding request: At least $5,000,000 | Funding: $5,000,000 | n/a | Amendment note: Representatives did not file any amendments to this line item. | Funding: $5,000,000 - Matches the Governor's House 2 budget funding request | Funding: $5,000,000 | Funding: $5,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20 | 7004-3045 | Tenancy Preservation Program (TPP) | Funding request: $2,500,000 | Funding: Not directly included | n/a | Amendment note: Representatives did not file any amendments to this line item. | Funding: Not directly included | Funding: Not directly included. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities has said that the state will continue to work with MassHousing to provide TPP funding outside of the state budget. | Funding: Not directly funded through this budget | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
21 | 7004-0105 | Sponsor-based permanent supportive housing | Funding request: At least $10,072,875 | Funding: $10,072,875 | n/a | Amendment note: Representatives did not file any amendments to this line item. | Funding: $10,072,875 - Matches the Governor's House 2 budget funding request | Funding: $10,072,875 | Funding: $10,072,875 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
22 | 7004-9007 | Public housing reform | Funding request: $1,600,000 | Funding: $1,269,215 | Amendment note: One Representative filed an amendment to secure earmarked funding for a local program. | Funding: $1,243,831 - Just over $25,000 below the Governor's House 2 budget request | Funding: $1,269,215 | Funding: $1,250,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
23 | 7004-0099 | Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC or HLC) administrative line item | Language requests: - Include language to ensure that the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) maintains access to in-person applications for Emergency Assistance (EA, line item 7004-0101) in the 10 cities and towns where the Executive Office has had local offices - Include language to ensure that EOHLC and state-funded housing programs retain any preferences and priorities for long-term state-funded housing programs for households participating in HomeBASE (line item 7004-0108) and other short-term and bridge subsidy programs | Language: - Includes language to ensure that the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) maintains access to in-person applications for Emergency Assistance (EA, line item 7004-0101) in the 10 cities and towns where the Executive Office has had local offices - Includes language to ensure that EOHLC and state-funded housing programs retain any preferences and priorities for long-term state-funded housing programs for households participating in HomeBASE (line item 7004-0108) and other short-term and bridge subsidy programs | Amendment note: Several Representatives filed amendments to this line item to secure earmarked funds for local and statewide programs. | Language: - Includes language to ensure that the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) maintains access to in-person applications for Emergency Assistance (EA, line item 7004-0101) in the 10 cities and towns where the Executive Office has had local offices - Includes language to ensure that EOHLC and state-funded housing programs retain any preferences and priorities for long-term state-funded housing programs for households participating in HomeBASE (line item 7004-0108) and other short-term and bridge subsidy programs | Language: - Includes language to ensure that EOHLC maintains access to in-person applications for Emergency Assistance (EA) in the 10 cities and towns where the Executive Office has had local offices - Does not include language to ensure that EOHLC and state-funded housing programs retain any preferences and priorities for long-term state-funded housing programs for households participating in HomeBASE (line item 7004-0108) and other short-term and bridge subsidy programs Note: The Governor proposed $22,229,819 in funding for the EOHLC administrative line item. | Language: Includes language recommended by the House and Senate to ensure that: - The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) maintains access to in-person applications for Emergency Assistance (EA) in the 10 cities and towns where the Executive Office had local offices as of January 1, 2025 - EOHLC and state-funded housing programs retain any preferences and priorities for long-term state-funded housing programs for households participating in HomeBASE (line item 7004-0108) and other short-term and bridge subsidy programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
24 | Also of Note | Broker fees: See Outside Section 43, which would clarify that the responsibility for broker fee payments is on the party who contracts with the real estate broker or salesperson. Currently, these fees usually are paid by the prospective tenant, making it more challenging to afford a new apartment. Additional details are included in Outside Section 54 and Outside Section 55. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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26 | Last updated May 12, 2026 |