By Bob Katzen

The House 160-0, approved a consolidated amendment on housing and mental health. Rep. Kevin Honan (D-Boston) the chair of the Committee on Housing said the consolidated amendment includes a $400,000 increase in funding for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program; a $250,000 increase in funding for Housing Consumer Education Centers; $300,000 for the Home Works Program; $50,000 for a computer technology center for Commonwealth Housing; funding for individual communities across the state including $65,000 for a shelter in Haverhill and $50,000 for mobility access enhancements and renovations in Brockton.

“I am a strong supporter of the Housing Budget released by House Ways and Means for fiscal 2020,” said Honan. “It increases critical funding for programs such as the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, Rental Assistance for Families in Transition and funding for public housing. The budget was strengthened even further through an additional $1.735 million in funding through consolidated earmarks for local housing programs—including my amendment for a $250,000 increase in funding for Housing Consumer Education Centers.”