June 5, 2006
The Honorable Martin Walsh
State House, Room 540
Boston, MA 02133
Dear Representative Walsh:
Thank you for introducing an amendment to increase funding for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) to $4 million in Fiscal Year 2007. Although the amendment was not adopted, United Disability Housing Partnership is pleased that the House increased funding for the program to $3.5 million. This will result in approximately 150 new rental vouchers for low income and homeless individuals living with disabilities. Although this does not fully address the need that exists, it does represent a step in the right direction.
As you know, the increase in housing prices experienced by the Commonwealth since 2000 has disproportionately impacted persons living with significant disabilities. For many of these individuals, their sole source of income is SSI, which has a monthly payment that is insufficient to afford fair market rent in any community in Massachusetts.
Again, thank you for your support of disability housing.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned Members of United Disability Housing Partnership