The Joint Committee on Housing convened on July 23, 2025, to discuss critical legislation aimed at addressing the ongoing housing crisis in Massachusetts. The meeting focused on two significant bills: the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program and the Home Base rehousing initiative, both designed to provide timely support to families facing housing instability.

The first item on the agenda was the RAFT bill, introduced by Representative Decker and Senator Creighton. This legislation seeks to codify the RAFT program into law for the first time in its 20-year history. A key feature of the bill is the proposal to allow families and individuals to access assistance without needing a notice to quit from their landlord, which would enable them to receive help earlier in a housing crisis. Advocates emphasized that this change could prevent families from experiencing the trauma of eviction and homelessness.

Following this, Pamela Schwartz from the Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness highlighted the alarming increase in eviction filings in her region, which rose by over 66% from 2022 to 2024. Schwartz urged the committee to support the RAFT bill, noting that moving the program upstream could significantly impact families at risk of losing their homes.

The discussion then shifted to the Home Base program, which aims to provide rehousing support to families with children. Representative Barber and Senator Miranda's proposed legislation would also codify this program, ensuring that families could access benefits earlier in a crisis. The bill proposes increasing the maximum assistance from $30,000 to $50,000 and allowing for more flexible funding options. Advocates stressed the importance of these measures as the state reduces shelter capacity and access to shelter benefits.

Several speakers, including Penelope Taylor from the City of Somerville, expressed support for House Bill 4015, which promotes housing stability for older adults. Taylor shared success stories from a pilot program that stabilized older adult households, preventing them from becoming homeless.

The meeting also featured testimonies from representatives of Greater Boston Legal Services, who underscored the necessity of RAFT and Home Base funding to prevent evictions and support vulnerable families. They called for reforms to make RAFT accessible without requiring a court process, which they argued could jeopardize housing stability.

In conclusion, the committee members were urged to report favorably on the discussed bills, emphasizing the urgent need for legislative action to address the housing crisis in Massachusetts. The meeting underscored a collective commitment to enhancing support for families and individuals at risk of homelessness, with a focus on prevention and early intervention strategies.