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Update on FY14 Budget Implementation Dept. of Housing and Community Development

Update on FY14 Budget Implementation Dept. of Housing and Community Development. Meeting with housing Groups May 5, 2014. HomeBASE Transition. Overall Numbers

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Update on FY14 Budget Implementation Dept. of Housing and Community Development

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  1. Update on FY14 Budget ImplementationDept. of Housing and Community Development Meeting with housing Groups May 5, 2014

  2. HomeBASE Transition Overall Numbers • Overall goal is to assist families with a stable tenancy and to minimize entrance to emergency shelter (no more than 20% entry into EA) • Of 5,395 families, 4,522 families have transitioned off rental assistance from July 2013 through April, 2014 • Of these families, approximately 90% remain housed or have successfully relocated and 10% entered the shelter system. Of those entering the shelter system, approximately one-third have been rehoused. • Remaining families transitioning off rental assistance include: --280 in May --590 in June

  3. HomeBASE Transition Key Activities Intensive case management continues with all families In October, started new initiative with Community Action Agencies to provide job training and other supports in coordination with RAAs. 320 families have entered a job program YTD or 25% of those who were contacted (does not include latest data through April). Secure Jobs Program has led to approximately 500 job placements since Feb., 2013 Hotline received 1,986 calls from June, 2013 thru April, 2014 The lottery for 500 MRVPs was held on Nov. 4, 2013. There were 1,140 eligible applicants. 500 MRVP’s have been issued and 380 have been leased up as of 4/30/14. 2,681 families or 59% received Household Assistance through 4/30/14. Of these, 218 families have been approved for RAFT.

  4. Residential Assistance for Families in Transition RAFT providers began receiving applications on August 1, 2013. Through 4/30/14, 2,815 families were approved. Average benefit was $2,540 per household As of May 1st, all agencies have stopped taking new RAFT applications.

  5. Motel Outreach and Rehousing Motel numbers have been reduced from a high of nearly 2,200 in Dec. to 1,879 on 5/1/14 Increased staffing of RAAs to have daily presence in motels Enhancing services through separate meeting space for adults; separate play space for kids; and transportation services Modifying motel rules so they are more flexible and family-friendly regarding babysitting, room inspections, and visitation Cross agency teams (DHCD, DCF, DPH) are making weekly visits to motels. In December, 2013, DCF and DPH added 16 staff to the cross agency teams. CAAs conducted outreach to families regarding tax preparation and EITC (VITA Program) DHCD staff are coordinating regularly with volunteer organizations and municipal agencies, which are helping families with recreational, transportation, food, medical, or other services

  6. Congregate Expansion As of 4/30/14, 650 new beds have been added this fiscal year By Region: Boston: 268 North Shore: 55 Hampden/Hampshire: 181 Metro Boston: 68 Merrimack Valley: 16 Southeast: 46 Central: 16 Governor’s FY15 budget includes funding for an additional 1,000 beds; House budget includes funding for approximately 130-140 additional beds

  7. HomeBASE Household Assistance/Exits In FY14, 1,708 households have exited shelters or motels with HomeBASE Household Assistance thru 4/30/14 Added $2,000 supplemental benefit to $4,000 HomeBASE Household Assistance (effective 12/16/13) Reduced waiting period to return to shelter from 12 months to 3 months (effective 12/11/13) As of 4/30/14, 364 households exited the shelter system using these new benefits A review of 2,372 families receiving HomeBASE household assistance for diversion and exits found only a 4% return rate to EA system since the program began in 2011 From December, 2013 thru April, 2014, shelter/motel exits exceeded entries each month

  8. Mass. Rental Voucher Program Process for providing 500 MRVPs to families in shelter with longer lengths of stays began September 9, 2013. All vouchers have been issued and approximately 403 vouchers have been leased as of 4/30/14. 100 project-based vouchers were awarded as part of November 2013 Rental Round; 208 project-based vouchers were awarded as part of March 2014 Supportive Housing Round; and 100 project-based vouchers will be awarded as part of Spring 2014 Rental Round 100 project-based vouchers will be targeted to chronically homeless individuals as part of the Social Innovation Financing initiative. RFP process has been completed. Increased administrative fee for housing agencies from $32.50 to $40 per unit/per month, which went into effect on January 1, 2014 Focusing on upgrading database and information systems and hiring additional staff, if funding allows

  9. Public Housing HILAPP Round 2 awards will be announced in May 705 and congregate renovation awards will be announced in May Plan for disposition of obsolete targeted properties completed RFI process completed for statewide waiting list. RFP will be released as soon as funding is secured New training manual for commissioners completed Issued new guidelines for smoke-free housing New audit requirement to take effect in FY15 (draft guidance for “agreed upon procedures” is completed) RFI issued for expansion of Transitional Housing Program for homeless families (goal of 100 units) Draft capital and housing management benchmarks completed Expansion of supportive senior housing program (10 additional sites) in Governor’s budget and House budget

  10. Other Initiatives Reached goal of 1,000 permanent supportive housing units, nearly 2 years early. Announced funding of 335 units in March. First Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) awards were announced in March ($3M in tax credits) Secure Jobs Program Phase 2 awards were made in April ($1M DHCD; $1M Fireman Foundation) Draft regulations for new housing bond bill expected to be released in May New Lease Program has made 31 placements since late October 2013 Mass. Learning, Employment, Assets Program (LEAP) awards will be announced in May ($1M annually for next five years). Spring Rental Round awards will be announced in June First Affordable Homeownership Round awards in seven years will be announced in June

  11. Other Initiatives 10,000 Multifamily Housing Units Initiative (7,600 units in 2013, highest number since 2006) Reached milestone of more than 12,000 units preserved since passage of 40T Completed first statewide “point-in-time” count of unaccompanied homeless youth Started process for changes to 2015 Qualified Allocation Plan with focus on managing development costs and additional accessibility/universal design changes Reached goal of 20 banks signing on to MA Homeownership Compact during first year of initiative and made successful transition from Soft Second to One Mortgage Program

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