The Massachusetts House Committee on Ways and Means recently released its FY23 budget proposal. In response, Representative O’Day has filed an amendment (#494) that would increase funding for the budget line item "Housing and Services for Unaccompanied Youth Experiencing Homelessness" (4000-0007) from $8.5 million to $10 million.

When young people experience homelessness, they are at a greater risk of poor health outcomes, exposure to violence, susceptibility to exploitation, and dropping out of school. This increased investment in supportive services for our most vulnerable youth is vital to match the scale of need across the state and help create a sustained and effective response to end youth homelessness.

By increasing funding for housing and services for unaccompanied youth and young adults experiencing homelessness, amendment #494 would serve as a much-needed investment that will help ensure young people across the Commonwealth can obtain and retain housing stability.

We’ve already started a message for you – click “Start Writing” above to add your own details and urge your State Representative to co-sponsor House budget amendment #494. If your Representative has already co-sponsored House budget amendment #494, please thank them for their support.