Alternative Voucher Housing Program
(Line Item 7004-9030)
For FY 2007, United Housing requests a funding increase of $1 million for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program, for total funding of $4 million.
AHVP was created in 1995 to address the concerns of elders living with younger individuals in state-funded public housing. The program received support from housing authorities, elders, and persons with disabilities, as well as legislators from both sides of the aisle.
AHVP provides rental assistance to low-income and homeless non-elderly disabled individuals.
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Boston has the highest housing costs in the country and Massachusetts is the second least affordable state in which to live.
Many disabled individuals rely almost exclusively on SSI for their income, which has a monthly payment far below the fair market rent of any community in Massachusetts.
AHVP is cost-effective, costing the Commonwealth an average of $6,875 per voucher per year, a cost far lower than that of emergency shelter, hospital, nursing home, or other institution.
Additionally, individuals who are stably housed have fewer medical emergencies and unscheduled hospital visits, are more likely to maintain employment, and are better able to adhere to medical treatment plans.
From any perspective, increasing access to housing for low income and homeless individuals with disabilities just makes sense.
The program was originally funded at $4 million to provide 800 housing vouchers, but was significantly cut in the FY 2002 budget.
In the FY 2006 budget, the Legislature increased funding for AHVP by $700,000, which allowed the Department of Housing and Community Development to increase the rent level for the first time since 2002 and to issue 215 new vouchers for disabled individuals.
Current funding for AHVP is $3 million, which funds 432 vouchers.
Funding AHVP at $4 million would restore the program to its original funding level and would provide more than 150 new housing vouchers. For more information, contact Matt Noyes at mnoyes
ahc.org or 617-927-0088 x26.