January 25, 2007
Tina Brooks, Undersecretary
Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development
100 Cambridge St., 4th Fl.
Boston, MA 02114
ATTENTION: FY 2008 BUDGET
Dear Undersecretary Brooks:
Thank you for this opportunity to submit comments on the Department of Housing and Community Development's budget proposal.
For FY 2008, United Disability Housing Partnership respectfully requests that the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (Line Item #7004-9030) be funded at $4.5 million and that the administration fee for the program be increased to at least match that of other DHCD rental assistance programs.
United Disability Housing Partnership is a cross-disability coalition of more than 60 member organizations dedicated to expanding housing opportunities for low-income and homeless individuals living with a wide range of disabilities. United Housing's member organizations represent well over 250,000 individuals across Massachusetts.
For many individuals living with a significant disability, finding and securing a safe, affordable and accessible home is a daunting challenge. Housing costs in Massachusetts are some of the highest in the country and Boston is one of the least affordable cities in which to live.
Among those living with a disability, a disproportionate number are extremely low income, with many relying almost exclusively on SSI for their income. In Massachusetts, SSI provides a monthly payment of $732 while fair market rent in the Commonwealth averages $987 for a one bedroom apartment. Rental assistance in these cases is an imperative if persons living with significant disabilities are to access appropriate housing.
The Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) was created in 1995 to address the specific housing needs of persons living with disabilities. It was originally funded with $4 million to provide 800 rental vouchers. Unfortunately, AHVP funding was reduced to $2.3 million in 2002.
Through funding increases over the past two years, AHVP currently provides approximately 500 vouchers. For those able to access this voucher program, having a stable home has proven to be life changing. Here are two stories of persons who have received AHVP vouchers:
Mark
"Mark" has struggled with health concerns, both physical and mental, for many years. Diagnosed with depression, he lost his housing after being hospitalized following a suicide attempt. For the next two years, Mark's living arrangements were tremendously difficult and stressful. He lived in a friend's walk-in closet, was a victim of domestic violence, doubled-up with another friend, and became homeless. Mark's living conditions contributed to his depression, which in turn made it difficult to address other health concerns.
With the help of a housing advocate, Mark applied for AHVP in July 2006. Within four months of completing the application, he received a voucher and moved into a one bedroom apartment on Revere Beach.
The changes in Mark's life since receiving an AHVP voucher are remarkable. For the first time in years, he does not worry about where he is going to sleep at night. He has taken control of his life and his wellbeing by committing to medication regimen, seeing a therapist, and reconnecting with his family. Mark's life continues to be one of progress, as he continues his battle with depression, but receiving an AHVP voucher has allowed him to address the conflicts in his life.
Bob
"Bob's" battle with alcoholism, depression, and bi-polar disorder started in his late teens and continued for the next two decades. In 1991, six months after the birth of his daughter, Bob was diagnosed with HIV. By 1997, Bob was unemployed, in very poor health, and homeless.
With the help of a housing advocate at the North Shore Community Action Program (NSCAP), he got an AHVP voucher and found permanent housing. Receiving support through AHVP was a turning point for Bob: he is able to spend time with his daughter again; he is on a medication program for his HIV disease that has resulted in greatly improved health; and he returned to school, got his associates degree in Computer Science and started working again.
Bob says, "My life is now a quest for redemption. I just have to live long enough to pay back what I owe the world . It all began with the AHVP voucher."
Despite recent funding increases to AHVP, the need for rental assistance among the disability community far outstrips the supply. In 2007, the number of AHVP vouchers available to persons living with disabilities is 300 less than what was available in 1995. Providing an increase to $4.5 million will allow for the issuance of approximately 570 rental vouchers in FY 2008.
In addition, to an overall funding increase for the program, raising the administration fee for AHVP will alleviate some of the financial burden on administering agencies and will likely encourage more local housing authorities to participate in the program. As you know, agencies that administer AHVP currently receive only $25 per voucher per month, which for many local housing authorities results in a hardship. United Housing requests that DHCD recommend to Governor Patrick an increase in the AHVP administration fee that at least matches that of Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP).
Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned Members of United Disability Housing Partnership