June 5, 2006
The Honorable Patricia Jehlen
State House, Room 213
Boston, MA 02133
Dear Senator Jehlen:
Thank you for co-sponsoring Senator Brian Joyce’s amendment (#231) to increase funding for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP). Because of your support the Senate increased funding for this important program by $500,000, which will result in approximately 150 new housing vouchers for low-income and homeless individuals with disabilities.
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.
Thanks to your efforts, there will be an additional 150 new housing vouchers available to assist this vulnerable population. Although this does not fully address the need that exists, it does represent a step in the right direction.
Again, thank you for your support of disability housing.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned Members of United Disability Housing Partnership