Accomplishments

For more than 15 years, MHSA has been the leading voice for homeless individuals in the Commonwealth. MHSA educates and works with lawmakers and government leaders to ensure that resources are available and properly targeted to homeless people. Recent years have yielded numerous successes, including:

• The introduction of state budget Line Item 4406-3010, which provides funding for a statewide "Housing First” pilot program operated by MHSA that will house 130 chronically homeless individuals. MHSA will collect comprehensive data on formerly homeless tenants in order to evaluate the effectiveness of a Housing First approach in both human and financial terms.
• The passage of House Bill 5206, which establishes a special legislative commission that will devise a five-year comprehensive housing plan to end homelessness in Massachusetts.
• The development of a statewide Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) through the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) that eventually will help prevent homelessness by tracking discharges of persons from various state systems of care.
• The creation of the Community Support Program for People Experiencing Chronic Homelessness (CSPECH), an innovative Housing First initiative administered by the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership (MBHP). Working with MHSA, MBHP implemented the Housing First model across four sites statewide, providing case management services to chronically homeless individuals placed in housing. An evaluation of the program is in progress.
• The creation of the first Massachusetts Interagency Council on Homelessness and Housing (MICHH), which brings together state agencies in order to formulate a more unified approach to homelessness. MHSA and its member agencies serve on many of the committees, playing a critical role in planning and collaboration.