A written testimony hearing on House Bill 5508 is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday July 21, before the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs.
H.5508, an Act Relative to Veterans’ Housing Stability, was filed in early June by State Representative Tara Hong (D-Lowell). The multifaceted bill aims to support veterans who are struggling to pay rent, facing eviction, or experiencing homelessness.
“No veteran who served our country should lose their home, or live in a car or on the street because they are waiting for assistance, or they’re experiencing a temporary financial hardship,” said Representative Hong. “I filed this legislation to create a bridge for veterans during difficult times by providing immediate rental assistance, preventing homelessness before it begins, and ensuring they have access to the support they earned through their service. Our responsibility to veterans does not end when they leave the military—it continues here at home.”
All those interested in supporting the bill are encouraged to submit written testimony to the committee via email at Kerry.Rugenstein@MAHouse.gov. The bill number and “Testimony” should be included in the subject line of the email.
Testimony can also be physically mailed to the House Chair:
Joseph W. McGonagle Jr.
Chair Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
ATTN: Kerry Rugenstein, Researcher
24 Beacon Street
Room 171
Boston, MA 02133
Massachusetts is facing a severe housing crisis. Housing shortages, unaffordability and stagnant administrative wait times for federal housing support have left many who served our country vulnerable to displacement. According to the ASC (American Community Survey) Approximately 91,065 Massachusetts veterans live in homes with one or more major problems of quality, crowding, or cost. Roughly 32 percent of Massachusetts veterans pay too much for their housing.
The goal of Bill H.5508 is to create the Veteran Rental Assistance Program (VRABP), a state-funded initiative that will support veterans who have experienced a loss of income, are at imminent risk of eviction, or who are approved for a federal housing voucher but are waiting for issuance or lease-up. The program will be administered through local housing authorities and Veteran Service Officers and will implement as follows: 24 months of temporary rental assistance, security deposit and first/last month’s rent coverage, and flexible arrears support to prevent eviction. These features provide a fast response to sudden financial discrepancies and will ensure that no veteran loses housing due to bureaucratic delays.
The bill also establishes the Veteran Rental Assistance Bridge Program Fund to ensure a dedicated and sustainable funding source for veteran housing assistance. The fund may receive state appropriations, grants, gifts, donations, and other funding sources, with annual reporting requirements to ensure transparency and accountability.
Bill H.5508 also prioritizes protections for at- risk veterans by establishing a Veterans At-Risk of Homelessness Priority Designation ensuring expedited rental assistance review, mandatory mediation before eviction and rapid referral to stabilization services. Besides only addressing housing Bill H.5508 will also support other veteran needs by increasing funding for partnerships between the Commonwealth and nonprofit providers that support mental health services, Employment services, Substance use recovery support and case management.
