Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance

Many thanks to Housing Families for their partnership and important work to end homelessness in Massachusetts! MHSA works with member agencies across Massachusetts to strategize on public policy and address the systemic issues contributing to homelessness. While MHSA member agencies such as Housing Families Inc. are on the front lines providing housing and direct services, MHSA focuses on advocacy to advance systems change, secure resources, and support the vital work of our members.

A few more photos from MHSA’s trip to Washington, D.C. this week for the National Alliance to End Homelessness 2024 National Conference on Ending Homelessness and Capitol Hill Day. #NAEH2024 The conference brings together service providers, system leaders, advocates, and people with lived experience of homelessness to learn from each other, discuss best practices, and share new innovations in the field. MHSA staff are in attendance to advocate for funding increases for HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants Program. In addition to funding housing assistance and supportive services that people experiencing homelessness need to obtain and sustain housing, this program also focuses on prevention. Photo 1 MHSA met with members and staff of Massachusetts’ congressional delegation, as well as the offices of Senator Edward Markey and Senator Warren to discuss the importance of housing first and permanent supportive housing, the homeless assistance grants program, and emerging trends among people experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts. Pictured: Samantha Wood (National Alliance to End Homelessness), Delphia Bizzell (Pine Street Inn), Hagar Crentsil (Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance), Claudine Bernadin (Pine Street Inn), Chistine O’Connell (Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance), Marlon Francois (Pine Street Inn), Chris Frangolini (Pine Street Inn), Debby Ferdnand (Pine Street Inn), Mari Brooks (TCHJ) meeting with staff from Senator Warren’s office. Photo 2 MHSA Policy Associate Annie Martin met with Congressman Auchincloss of Massachusetts Fourth Congressional District, alongside Hagar Crentsil (Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance), and Jack Moran (Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance). Photo 4: MHSA Policy Associate Annie Martin met with Congresswoman Pressley's office. Annie Martin (MHSA), Chris Frangolini (Pine Street Inn), Johnnisha Willis (Pine Street Inn), Tina Cheek (Pine Street Inn), Terrence Nolen (Pine Street Inn), Christa Towers-Sowers (Pine Street Inn), Meg von Lossnitzer (Victory Programs). Photo 5: MHSA Senior Manager of Community Housing Solutions Sam Salem met with Senator Edward Markey, along with Claire Davies (Boston Medical Center (BMC)), Jack Moran (Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance), Delphia Bizzell (Pine Street Inn) Deanna Nagle, and Christine O’Connell (Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance).

MHSA is in Washington, D.C. this week at the National Alliance to End Homelessness 2024 National Conference on Ending Homelessness and Capitol Hill Day. #NAEH2024 The conference brings together service providers, system leaders, advocates, and people with lived experience of homelessness to learn from each other, discuss best practices, and share new innovations in the field. MHSA staff are in attendance to advocate for funding increases for HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants Program. In addition to funding housing assistance and supportive services that people experiencing homelessness need to obtain and sustain housing, this program also focuses on prevention. At Monday’s pre-conference session on Medicaid and Homeless Service Collaboration, MHSA President Joe Finn served on a panel discussing the expanded use of Medicaid funds and how they can be utilized to improve health and social service care. Pictured: Richard Cho (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development), Jessica Lee (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), Joe Finn (MHSA), and Sarah Mahin (LA County Department of Health Services).

In case you missed it last week, check out MHSA CEO Joyce Tavon’s op-ed, featured in the CommonWealth Beacon on the U.S. Supreme Court's City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson decision: https://lnkd.in/e8kPxtdE

Let’s solve unsheltered homelessness rather than penalizing people for the crime of being poor with nowhere to go. At MHSA we believe in housing solutions to homelessness. We stand against the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the anti-camping laws of the City of Grants Pass, Oregon. Such policies are punitive and only prolong homelessness. Please read the attached opinion from MHSA’s CEO, Joyce Tavon, in today’s CommonWealth Beacon to learn more about the implications of the case on the criminalization of homelessness. https://lnkd.in/e8kPxtdE

This morning, the Supreme Court ruled to uphold the anti-camping laws of the City of Grants Pass, Oregon. The decision made in Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson allows civil punishments to be imposed on individuals sleeping outside and on public property. Unsheltered individuals may be fined, ticketed, and arrested even if their local governments are unable to produce enough shelter or affordable housing. This ruling sets a dangerous precedent for the criminalization of homelessness, poses a risk to public health, and ignores the root cause of homelessness: the lack of affordable housing. MHSA believes in models that work. We believe in Housing First, and in prioritizing affordable, dignified, and permanent supportive housing. Stable housing allows individuals to access and sustain basic needs. Punitive, cruel, and discriminatory policies like the ones upheld in the decision on Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson only prolong homelessness. MHSA is learning more about the implications of the decision for Massachusetts. Please read the full decision from the United States Supreme Court (https://lnkd.in/eA38zjKX), as well as statements from the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) (https://lnkd.in/g-xmTJz2) and the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) (https://lnkd.in/g7b4mR6r)

Yesterday, MHSA staff attended and participated in the New England Homeless Summit at Assumption University in Worcester and hosted by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Many topics were addressed including housing as healthcare, the importance of partnerships and coordination among agencies, equitable access to services, and innovative housing solutions. Joe Finn, MHSA President, moderated the "Developing Strong Partnerships" panel and Dr. Calpurnyia Roberts, MHSA Director of Supportive Housing & Special Initiatives, moderated the "Equitable Access to Services" panel. We are inspired by the many agencies across the region who are committed to ending homelessness, and are grateful for their partnership in addressing this. Thank you for inviting MHSA to be part of these important conversations. Photos: Joe Finn (moderator) with Dr. Matilde Castiel, Commissioner of Health and Human Services, City of Worcester; Ahrehon Thompson, Senior Planner & Policy Manager, City of Malden; Juana Matias, New England Regional Administrator, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development;       John Yazwinski, President & CEO, Father Bill's & MainSpring; Sean Glennon, Community Development Director, City of Quincy; Daniel Brennan, Director, MaineHousing Dr. Calpurnyia Roberts (moderator) with Leah Bradley, Executive Director, Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance; Tee Baker, Human Services Associate, Abt Associates ; Robin Vilchez, Program Manager, Madonna Place, Inc.

On Friday, MHSA staff completed the second day of our Racial Equity Retreat. Many thanks to Cambridge Savings Bank for letting us use your Community Room! Learn more about MHSA’s Racial and Ethnic Equity Commitment here: https://lnkd.in/eUGu6zv3

The Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance (MHSA) is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Housing Solutions Manager. This position will strengthen MHSA’s role as a leader in the advancement of solutions to homelessness, specifically through quality, low-threshold, permanent supportive housing throughout Massachusetts. The Housing Solutions Manager will manage programs across Massachusetts by conducting site visits, monitoring compliance, engaging service providers, and providing technical assistance. The Housing Solutions Manager will also be responsible for collecting, analyzing, and reporting on data related to permanent supportive housing. They will be part of the four-person Technical Assistance and Data Analysis Team within the larger Programs Team at MHSA. View the full job description here: https://lnkd.in/ekDqEbBS

The Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance (MHSA) was happy to attend Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) Planning Association, Inc. CHAPA’s 57th Annual Celebration last night! Office of Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey spoke about the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s commitment to housing, and attendees from the public and private sectors joined together to celebrate CHAPA’s years of work to expand housing opportunities in the Commonwealth. Congratulations to CHAPA and this year’s honorees: Andrea Joy Campbell, Keith Fairey of MHSA member agency Way Finders, and Sarah Bartley of United Way of Massachusetts Bay . We are grateful for your partnership in advancing housing solutions in Massachusetts.