Massachusetts Senate Bill S87

Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/16/23
• Refer: 2/16/23

Caption

Providing for coordinated data and assistance to address family homelessness

Impact

This bill intends to transform the interagency response to homelessness by ensuring that various state departments, including health and human services, housing, labor, and education, work collaboratively. The goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how different social services intersect with housing instability, potentially leading to better-targeted interventions and support for families facing homelessness. Furthermore, it creates an opportunity for deeper insights into the effectiveness of current programs and to evaluate their outreach to those in need.

Summary

Bill S87, presented by Adam Gomez, aims to enhance the response to family homelessness in Massachusetts by facilitating coordinated data collection and assistance among relevant state agencies. The legislation mandates an annual comprehensive report on housing instability faced by families, which will include critical statistics from various agencies, such as the number of households identified as homeless and those at risk of homelessness. This cooperative report will be crucial for understanding the scale of the issue and directing resources more efficiently towards preventing homelessness and stabilizing housing for families in need.

Contention

While the bill has broad support for its intentions, there may be concerns regarding the practical implementation of such interagency efforts. The synchronization of multiple state agencies involves navigating complex bureaucratic structures, ensuring consistent data sharing and collaboration. Additionally, stakeholders might argue about data privacy and the management of sensitive information, which could arise from such comprehensive reporting. These potential challenges need to be addressed to maximize the effectiveness of the legislative intent and ultimately benefit families experiencing homelessness.