June 7, 2005
The Honorable Therese Murray
Chair, Joint Committee on Housing
State House, Room 413-A
Boston, MA 02133
Dear Senator Murray:
The United Disability Housing Partnership is a cross-disability coalition of housing organizations dedicated to preserving and expanding housing opportunities for persons with disabilities. United Housing has more than 40 member organizations from across Massachusetts, representing over 150,000 individuals.
United Disability Housing Partnership is a cross-disability coalition of housing organizations dedicated to expanding housing opportunities for persons with disabilities. United Housing is made up of over 40 member organizations, representing more than 150,000 individuals across Massachusetts.
We are writing to you today to express our support for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP). We are pleased that both the House and the Senate increased funding for this important disability housing program by $700,000 over the Fiscal Year 2005 level, bringing total funding up to $3 million for Fiscal Year 2006 (line item number 7004-9030).
As you know, AHVP provides housing vouchers for individuals with disabilities, at an average cost of $6,875 per year per voucher. The additional funding for the upcoming fiscal year will allow the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to issue an additional 101 vouchers. With housing costs in Massachusetts among the highest in the country, the need for these vouchers is great.
We ask that as you work to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the Fiscal Year 2006 budget that you preserve the funding level of $3 million that was agreed to in both budgets. Enclosed, please find a fact sheet about AHVP.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Matt Noyes at 617-927-0088 x26 or at mnoyes
ahc.org.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned Members of United Disability Housing Partnership
cc: Senator Steven Panagiotakos
cc: Senator Michael Knapik
cc: Representative Robert DeLeo
cc: Representative Marie St. Fleur
cc: Representative Vinny deMacedo