ATTACHMENT C ACTS OF 2024 CHAPTER 150 AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE AFFORDABLE HOMES ACT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING POOL FUND.docx

SUPPORTIVE HOUSING POOL FUND

Section 1. As used in this chapter, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:

“Chronically homeless”, a person who has been homeless for at least 1 year or has been repeatedly homeless.

“Executive office”, the executive office of housing and livable communities.

“Fund”, the Supportive Housing Pool Fund established in section 2.

“Permanent supportive housing”, rental housing that includes supportive services for individuals and families who may be homeless or chronically homeless, individuals and families with behavioral health needs or substance addiction needs, survivors of domestic violence, survivors of human trafficking, survivors of sexual violence, individuals and families at risk of entering or transitioning out of the foster care system, youth and young adults, seniors and veterans or other individuals with similar needs, as determined by the executive office.

Section 2. (a) There shall be a Supportive Housing Pool Fund to support the production of permanent supportive housing. The fund shall be administered by the executive office directly or through contracts with 1 or more of the following administering agencies: (i) the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation, established in chapter 40H; (ii) the Massachusetts Housing Partnership Fund, established in section 35 of chapter 405 of the acts of; or (iii) the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency, established in chapter 708 of the acts of 1966; provided, that an administering agency may directly offer financial assistance for the purposes pursuant to this section or may enter into subcontracts with non-profit organizations established pursuant to chapter 180 for those purposes; and provided further, that the administering agency may establish additional program requirements through regulations or policy guidelines (b) There shall be credited to the fund: (i) revenue from appropriations or other money authorized by the general court and specifically designated for the fund; (ii) any gifts, grants, private contributions, repayment of loans, fees and charges imposed relative to the making of loans, grants, subsidies, credit enhancements and other financial assistance; (iii) any investment income earned on the fund’s assets; and (iv) any other sources. Money remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund.

Section 3. Funds expended pursuant to this chapter shall be in the form of grants, loans or other financial assistance to projects and organizations that shall provide stable housing options and supportive services to residents of permanent supportive housing, which may include, but shall not be limited to, staffing, case management, service coordination or other tenancy-related services provided by a project sponsor or through a third party, or other services or activities that the executive office has determined are essential to the day-to-day operation of permanent supportive housing.

Section 4. The executive office may promulgate regulations for the implementation administration and enforcement of this chapter and may, in consultation with the executive office of health and human services, the executive office of elder affairs, the department of children and families and the Massachusetts office for victim assistance, issue guidelines for the fund.